Hi all,

So I had some time to try and find this leak I've been having for some time. Over the winter I got stuck in the snow in my R, and I had to use my OEM jack to raise the car up from the snow, and I saw that the foot of the jack was super rusted. My investigation has led me to believe that the leak either coming from the power antenna drain tube or even more suspect is the little vent on the drivers side in the hatch area. As you can see in the pics its quite dirty on the hatch floor under the area of the vent. Is the antenna drain tube and valve hard to remove and replace?

I plan on replacing the tail light gaskets just in case. Has anyone had that black vent leak water? Can this vent be replaced easily? If you can help in getting the part number for the black vent, that would be great, I'm having a hard time finding this part on acuraoemparts. The flap seems to drop closed after I push it with my finger, but maybe its leaking around it? Also I now have to worry about the rust in my spare tire wheel well, is there any way to neutralize rust? The rust is really bad, where the stock jack sits, since it was the jack that got wet and caused the rust and rust staining from the sitting water.

Thanks in advance!

 

Check your Rear hatch molding or also your antenna molding. those were my two area where I found leaks.

 

bummer!

y shi - who found a bit of water in the spare tyre well after washing 234

 

Will do, thanks for the suggestion!

I'm glad you caught yours earlier than I did! Good luck!

 

I forgot to mention my antenna doesn't always go completely down into its normal "radio off" position, it sometimes sticks up a few centimeters, and other times it does go all the way down. Too many possible sources, lol!

 

Check your taillight gaskets, of all the seals in the hatch those are the first to go. I used to have water pool up in my spare tire well and naturally assumed it was a hatch seal, after months of trying to figure it out I changed the taillight gaskets and my problems were solved.

The water that collects from the roof/hatch area runs down through the taillight area and taillight gaskets get crusty and let water in.

The price for OEM gaskets is criminal, but there are aftermarket ones available on eBay.

 

May be helpful:

https://honda-tech.com/acura-integra.../#post50736496
DMT Honda Improved Material 94 01 Acura 2dr Taillight Gasket Gaskets Set Pair | eBay

No issues since the new gaskets.

 

Thank you for the suggestion! I will def. replace the taillight seals regardless, I figure I got 18 years out of the old ones, which is pretty good, lol!

Are you using these on your car? I'm a bit skeptical on non OEM parts, lol! Thanks for the link!


I should also mention that I do get some droplets in the "reverse" light section of both of my tail lights. I don't think I have any cracks in either tail light, and the bulbs and sockets are seated properly, could a bad tail light gasket let water get inside the tail light somehow?

 

I'm sure water could get in to the lights through the sockets, especially given that our cars are starting to get up there in age.

I made my own JDM style taillights using 94-97 usdm taillights last year and picked up a set of 94 taillights that were most likely in a car that was daily driven and I had to
Separate the lens from the housing to paint the housing silver and after opening them up I couldn't believe the amount of old mashed up leaves, twigs etc. That was sitting along the entire bottom of the sealed taillights.

From the outside it just made the tailights look a bit darker red, which I didn't notice until I took them apart.

There is a small area for condensation to evaporate out of the lights and I guess over years dirt would get in the lights.

Afterwards the taillights looked so clean and now they light up very nicely at night and look like they used to back when these cars were new. it goes a long in making these cars look young again.

 

Yeah that's true. I think I'll have to get to pouring water over the car this weekend, and really narrow down where the leak is from. I did wash the car after I had taken the pics, but never went to check to see if any water came in after washing, lol.

That project sounds awesome! I wish I had the time and the strength to do stuff like that anymore! lol! If you got pics I would love to see them! Did you have to heat the housings up to soften any adhesive to take the tail lights apart?

 

I just threw them in the oven at 200°f for 6 minutes, and they pulled apart very easily. Then I painted the inside housings silver, as the 94s are only silver in the 3 spots with bulbs and the 98+ lights are completely silver inside.

 

Yes. I purchased these and the OEM parts and had them both in hand, the eBay ones were slightly thicker and high quality. Sold/returned the OEMs.

 

Typerod I'm sure if you wanted you could make some taillight gaskets if you find the right type of foam, I have spare gaskets from junk yard trips but if I didn't have any back when I needed some I would have most likely made my own out of some foam using the old gaskets as a template

 

Thats awesome! Looks good!

Thanks for the clarification! I'm tempted, but my OCD won't let me buy aftermarket, lol! How long have you had them in so far?

If I had the time and patience for your suggestion, I would def. go that route. These days I'm more of a just get it over with kind of person, lol. Are the OEM gaskets made of foam or rubber?

 

It's a foam type material, and it's pretty thin. It's similar to the foam material you see inside electronics packaging just thicker

 

5 months.

 

Thanks!

 

I am using the DMT tail light gaskets as well. Went from puddle in the trunk to bone dry. Left the car outside for a few days in heavy rain and no water at all. Had them on 5 months as well.

 

Another trick you can do is get inside your trunk with a flash light, close the trunk and have someone spray water with a garden and just look where it drips from.

 

Thanks for the verification of the DMT gaskets! I'm curious to know the longevity of them as well. Assuming my original OEM tail light gaskets, arent the issue, then they've lasted for 18+ years, lol.

Thanks for the suggestion! If it comes down to it, I'll just get my 8 year son in there, I'm a bit too big to get in the hatch area, lol!

 

So it rained while I was at work today, and I decided to check the spare wheel area, and sure enough, there was water. It did not rain while driving to work, and wasn't raining on my way home from work. So that helped to narrow down, that water is probably not coming in from the side vent in the hatch area.

I checked the paper towel I left underneath the area last time I was investigating, where the power antenna drain was, and that was pretty damp. Then I removed most of the plastic covers in the hatch and checked the taillight gaskets and it seems that the drivers side gasket is letting in most of the water, and the antenna drain tube is dribbling in water as well. Passenger side taillight gasket seems to be fine.

So I'm going to order new OEM taillight gaskets, both sides, and a new drain tube, and I hope that resolves the leaks.

Thanks to all for your suggestions, they all were most helpful!

 

God...my sisters db7 was a leaking nightmare.

1st the rear tailights.
2nd the side door gaskets, where the glass touches the gasket
3rd, was the firewall.

SMH and FML.

 

lol! At least you found and fixed them all!

Im curious about the side door gaskets? Where exactly are you talking about when you say where the glass touches the gasket?

 

I had ordered two of the antenna drains, and I just read an email from acuraoemparts, that they refunded me for one of them, b/c I just bought the last one in the country that Honda has! lol! I feel so special! lol jk!

 

So I changed the taillight gaskets and the antenna drain, and tested it by pouring water down near the area and I didn't see any water coming in, I did this last week. But today it was raining and I decided to check for water again, and I didnt see any, but my OCD wouldn't go away until I checked by the antenna drain, and sure enough when I removed the plastic surrounds, I stuck my hand down there in the crevice under the antenna drain and it was wet, but it was only a small amount. So now, I think its that black vent that is letting in the water. And I can't find the part# on acuraoemparts, unless I overlooked it. Can anyone assist me with finding the part number, I would greatly appreciate it!

UPDATE: nevermind, i found the part finally!

75450-SM4-000 - OUTLET ASSY., RR. AIR