Matt Lane

I noticed this when I bought the car a few years ago - visible water/humidity in the clear reverse lights. So I disassembled the whole rear light section, but the bulb fittings seemed tight and I could see no cracks in the housing. When I was at Rennsport Reunion this winter, I was surprised to see a few dozen 993's - ALL of which had some evidence of current or past leaks and discoloration.

Since the leak was only visible in the reverse lights, my initial solution was to to tape the seam around the reverse lights when washing the car. But recently, the problem has expanded to the rest of the (red) taillight assembly.

So...... who has found a solution to this problem and is willing to share?

Thanks in advance!

Matt

Stealth 993

I got a new center lens.

My brake lights also had some moisture in them, turns out the breathers were clogged.

Matt Lane

No one else? Everyone has dry taillights, except for me?

97_993C2

I'd be interested in an answer, too, besides replacement. It just may be a design flaw because I had the same problem on my '74. May be more condensation than a leak though

e9stibi

No, you are not alone. I must have same issues. You can even see some rust through the white lens for rear light . I keep watching for a resolution, too ...

Edgy01

This was a highly significant and common problem for the 964 cars,--I had assumed that they had solved the problem by the 993 design. Suggest you check out the vents. What you can always do is augment the venting in that area with a Gore plug.

(Do a search online for Gore Plug).

Matt Lane

Thanks for the suggestion of the venting.

Last call for anyone else with any ideas on how to locate and repair the source of the leaks?

Looking at the sealed unit, I can't see how the water is getting in - my best guess is that it's entering around the seam of the reverse lights.

M

doberdog

The water gets in between the outside plastic cover and the inside backing. I'm going to run some silicone along the edge and see what happens.

bobesser

maybe it is your blinker fluid?

Matt Lane

Problem not solved, so time to resurrect the thread.

Has anyone tried to disassemble the rear center tail section and locate leaks? Any pointers on how to install some venting that will not contribute to even more leaks?

This will be a winter project for me. I may break the thing trying, but it will be valiant effort.

I have no issues ordering a new part, but something tells me I will be in the same situation in short order... in fact, how about a poll to see how common the problem really is?

Best,

Matt

SkiDan

I dismantled the assembly, scraped away all the old sealant, applied silicone all the way around and put it back together. No more dampness!

Matt Lane

Cool - can you elaborate on the disassembly process? Last time I had it out, I could not see how.

Thanks!

Matt

H.H.Chinn

Mine are dry at the moment, however someone did mention to me that I had condensation in the left (driver) side reverse lens. I suppose a hotter bulb and a drive around the block in reverse might help dry it out or it might mean complete disassembly of the rear reflector. I've done the earlier center reflector on the SC, recoated the silver reflective surface with a highly metallic silver paint, as the factory finish mostly flaked loose.

mongrelcat

Maybe the answer is to drive the car in the rain a lot, no moisture in my light assemblies at all (of course I'll go out to drive tomorrow and they'll be all fogged-up for the first time....)

Best of luck in finding a solution.

timothymoffat

Bought a new one a year ago for the 95. Dry as a bone. The 97 is dry also......as long as it doesn't rain.