Valenti Red Lens Tail Light-moisture build-up

[Agent 86]

Originally Posted by jawn

Yeah, it's pretty weird. Looks like they really could've used a bigger gasket. ModBargains should be taking care of me, fingers crossed. I'll let you know if things change.

Well, if ModBargains is true to their word (see post #12 in this thread), they will be sending you a replacement.

I honestly, look forward to reading your success story.

[ModBargains.com]

Originally Posted by Agent 86

Well, if ModBargains is true to their word (see post #12 in this thread), they will be sending you a replacement.

I honestly, look forward to reading your success story.

I'm getting a replacement shipped out by tomorrow worst case scenario. Just some logistics inside that caused a delay but ultimately a replacement is still getting sent out.

[jawn]

Originally Posted by ModBargains.com

I'm getting a replacement shipped out by tomorrow worst case scenario. Just some logistics inside that caused a delay but ultimately a replacement is still getting sent out.

I appreciate you. <3

[Agent 86]

Originally Posted by ModBargains.com

I'm getting a replacement shipped out by tomorrow worst case scenario. Just some logistics inside that caused a delay but ultimately a replacement is still getting sent out.

True to their word!

[FT-86 SpeedFactory]

Below are the findings from testing Agent86's tail lights. After testing, the light was deemed not defective and a pinched gasket was to blame.








The install advisory below states that the gasket should be moved upward slightly to prevent the gasket from pinching again.




Unfortunately, we were unable to get a replacement light sent out. Instead a new gasket was installed and the light sent back out at no additional charge. The light should still function and not have any condensation issues with the new gasket.

We have to stand behind the manufacturer's warranty on this and this is how they test and uphold their warranty. We cannot issue free lights which would leave us footing the bill for something we are not at fault for. If the light had been deemed defective for any other reasons, a replacement would have been sent out at no charge.

I wish this could have been handled more swiftly. I just want to clarify what happened and our stance on the matter.

[Agent 86]

Originally Posted by FT-86 SpeedFactory

Below are the findings from testing Agent86's tail lights. After testing, the light was deemed not defective and a pinched gasket was to blame.

I agree. The light is not defective.

The gasket is not sized properly, and provides no extra to adjust as we are being asked to do.

Is there a 1/4" of gasket available at the top of the gasket?

If you follow the impression left by the light all the way around the gasket, you can see that the distance from the edge to the indentation is not consistent. The 5 holes that secure the gasket in place demonstrate that there no wiggle room. This can be seen on both the gasket from my tail light and Jawn's tail light.

[Agent 86]

Originally Posted by FT-86 SpeedFactory

Unfortunately, we were unable to get a replacement light sent out. Instead a new gasket was installed and the light sent back out at no additional charge. The light should still function and not have any condensation issues with the new gasket.

We have to stand behind the manufacturer's warranty on this and this is how they test and uphold their warranty. We cannot issue free lights which would leave us footing the bill for something we are not at fault for. If the light had been deemed defective for any other reasons, a replacement would have been sent out at no charge.

I wish this could have been handled more swiftly. I just want to clarify what happened and our stance on the matter.

The light probably will continue to function. But it will continue to show dried moisture streaks caused by the moisture that entered through the undersized gasket.

Maybe it's me, but having the distributor issue an advisory after the problem arises, but not admitting any culpability, or replacement for the consumer just doesn't seem like customer service.

Maybe, they read ft86club.com and will show their faces. Not likely, huh.

This is my Valenti Red passenger's tail light. The irony. It's crying on the inside!

[DannyQ86]

I for one can say I will never buy anything from ft86 speed factory

[Agent 86]

Originally Posted by DannyQ86

I for one can say I will never buy anything from ft86 speed factory

Call me naive, but I don't feel that strongly against FT86 SpeedFactory. I purchased a few items from them prior to the this incident, and was very satisfied.

In this case, though, I don't feel that they are responding appropriately to the distributor's flawed product. Accepting the findings of the distributor without considering the other obvious factors is short sighted and not good business sense, IMO. I believe, if FT86 SF had seen my tail light themselves, they could better support or refute the customer's claim.

1.) You don't market and sell a product that obviously has a flaw, then after many sales, release an "Advisory" to mitigate the problem, and label customers that were victims of the flaw prior to the Advisory at fault or inept.

If I had the advisory prior to installing the light would I have moisture in my tail light? No. Then how can I be held responsible? You literally have to stretch the gasket to get the 1/4" additional coverage they are now calling for.

2.) If you look closely at the photo with the red arrow taken by the distributor (Emotion USA), and compare it to the same location on my 2 photos back and front (taken before they got their hands on it), and you can see that the "pinch" did not exist.

I would think both of these points should be obvious to FT86 SF. I realize FT86 SF cannot eat the cost for manufacturer's defects, but neither should the customer! I did not make the purchase from Emotion USA, I bought from FT86SF.

So I ask, would this be a problem if the gasket provided the same 1/4" of space that they are NOW calling for existed around the circumference of the tail light? I think not.

[DannyQ86]

That's actually why I said I would not buy from them. Your pics and the pics they provided really don't seem to match up. Looks to me like they are putting a lot of effort into blaming you for something you didn't do (according to your picture). Call me crazy.

[protpibe]

Originally Posted by zc06_kisstherain

I was considering either Valenti or TOMs.
I guess i will go with TOMs later

If you're going Toms to avoid moisture, think again. I'm on my second set of red JDM Toms and I just noticed moisture in one of lenses as I stored the car for winter this week.

I hate every single tail light for this platform lol

[zc06_kisstherain]

Originally Posted by protpibe

If you're going Toms to avoid moisture, think again. I'm on my second set of red JDM Toms and I just noticed moisture in one of lenses as I stored the car for winter this week.

I hate every single tail light for this platform lol

damm..I am thinking about USA DOT TOMS..same problem? otherwise i am just gonna stay with stock. wrapping with red vinyl

[xFury]

Is there any DIY or something we can do to prevent this? Planning to get a new tailight and want to avoid this before putting it in. Just had my local shop say to white the surface to make sure theres no dust and such before putting it in.

[Agent 86]

Originally Posted by xFury

Is there any DIY or something we can do to prevent this? Planning to get a new tailight and want to avoid this before putting it in. Just had my local shop say to white the surface to make sure theres no dust and such before putting it in.

There is a thread here where a guy is selling a replacement gasket that seems to do the job according to those who have bought it. I will try to find that thread.

Wiping down the surface is a good idea, but won't help with the Valenti leaking problem, IMO. The driver's side Valenti tail light that was on my car had no leaking at all. I think the problem is a combination of the undersized gasket, and possibly improper mold of the tail lamp itself.

Another member on this site told me that he actually combined the OEM tail light gasket with the Valenti gasket and has not leaking problem.