I have had both of my tail lights replaced twice. It rains last night for the first time in forever and what do I come out to see this morning? Fawkin'moisture in the tails! Problem is now my car is out of warranty! I mean seriously how ****** hard is it to engineer a tail light or a visor that lasts more than two years? Sorry, just venting.

 

when were the last ones replaced? There is warranty coverage on those parts.
Besides, some dealerships will replace them again even if your'e out of warranty.

The TSB was updated last week: http://www.finishlineperformance.com...05-09-2055.pdf

 

I know how you feel. My left tail light has moisture in it now after the snow we had last month. My dealership will not cover it because I'm out of warranty which really pisses me off because I purchased the extended warranty

 

I think the parts warranty is only 12 months and the last left one was replaced over a year ago but I should call and find out. This will be the third time the left rear one has been replaced.

 

Thanks jedi, according to that TSB I can just replace the pad and the gasket and fix it that way! I will have to price those items. any idea where I can get those parts online? I called the dealer and they said no way on replacing it.

 

talk to Tommy @ Rosenthal.
you can PM him over on the Dark Side. (www.rx8web.com)

 

$60.00 for the gasket and pad for the left light. Chingow!

 

that sucks but it's cheaper then a whole new one???

Sorry man.

 

Yeah, thats true man, the whole light would cost a grip.

 

I'm going to try another dealership to see if they will replace it. If not then I will order the gasket as well.

 

I was at the dealership a couple weeks ago and while I was waiting for my car I was checking out a new '09 they had on the lot. Walk around to the back: moisture in the taillights. Not a lot, just a little condensation, but still you'd think they would have this problem solved by now. Luckily I haven't seen it in my '04's lights yet (knock on wood).

 

I never had any moisture in the lights until I left it outside for a couple days when we were snowed in. I knew I should have pulled it into the garage

 

never had condensation until 2 days ago damn it ... gonna have to buy the gaskets too

 

i keep forgetting to go into mazda they have a fresh pair for me.

 

dont bother spending the money on replacing parts or the whole things (unless your under warranty of course) just take a drill and drill to small, very SMALL holes on the bottom of your tail light, one on boths sides

Its a 5 minute fix and it will save you a lot of money and you cant really see the holes, I had to do it on mine and it turned out great

 

ya mine on the left side does the same thing and i know i am out of warranty.

simple fix,

take off taillight
get out drill with small bit
drill hole in bottom corner of lens....

 

its a lost cause with these damn tailights... its a shitty seal, they know it, and all their band-aids can't make-up for it

so don't waste money on any Mazda "fixes' as they will only work for a year at most anyway

 

+1 did this as well awhile ago to both of mine...never had an issue again....and I never replaced the gaskets...it won't last as others mentioned.

 

^I havent had an issue since either

 

Try here, think they're cheaper:

http://www.rx8strakes.com/index.asp?...ROD&ProdID=332

 

I had one replaced under warranty a couple years ago and it hasn't leaked since. However, now the other side is leaking (condensation) - will get that one replaced under warranty come Spring.

 

don't drill your lights. if you can get just new gaskets do it. for the pad on top just make something up yourself.

 

Do they have the pad? Because rosenthal sells it as a kit with both items.

Do you think the drilling really works?

 

no, drilling does not work. you will get condensation again. i've seen other people do it countless times and then complain about it coming back.

the problem is the gaskets and the valley on top of the tail light. i replaced both my gaskets and no more condensation so far. i think i will try to fill that valley on my own somehow.

i just got off the phone with Tommy at Rosenthal. he said the pads are available separate so i imagine the gaskets are available too. just give him a call at the 800 number on the website. make sure to ask for Tommy.

 

Drilling holes works in the same way carving off your nose will prevent you from sneezing.

Fix the gaskets. Don't drill the lights. If you don't seal the light housing then all the reflectors will start to decay and look awful. In addition, everyone who knows how to fix the gaskets laughing at you behind your back if you drill holes in your lights