Hello all,I have a '90 240SX SE 5speed. I have been having condensation problems for a while. I took apart the tail light assembly and repatched it up with butyl tape and I still have a good amount of condensation on my windshield and trunk. I have a minor leak on my passenger side window where it doesnt seal up all the way, but i have it taped shut temporarily.
thanks for the input in advance.
1drifterX
Condensation
The window moldings that fit around your window. Check around your car for wet spots. I know I've got a minor leak around my antenna since I've seen the wetspots there on the metal on the inside. Also check around your trunk/hatch since they're old and probably have a little tear here and there too.
thanks
thanks alot 180fan. Where would I find window moldings? I am aware of a leakage on the passenger side window. i took out my light assembly and redid the butyl tape and sealed it. Im pretty sure i have a small leak in my antenna because it was broken off when i bought the car. I bought a replacement antenna that is the closed off flat kind @ U-pull it. I dont know how I would replace this antenna, please help. I can supply pictures if necessary.
thanks,
1drifterX
thanks,
1drifterX
The window moldings you can get from nissan (duh) but that'll run you quite a bit. You can find them at your local auto parts store though, just you'll have to cut them to make em fit.
For your tail lights, you'll need to use a heat gun on the butyl tape after it's been pressed onto your car again to make the seal. If you pull off a good new set, you'll see it's white and gummy. That's the sealant nissan's using for the tail lights.
As for the antenna, there's a smooth round nut type thing at the top of the black part that's on the body. you'll need to get that off to be able to disconnect the antenna. There should be a few bolts on the inside if you've a power antenna. For the standing mast antenna, I've yet to have a look at the problem myself as it's been cold enough to make my nipples cut glass thus my reluctance to stand outside to figure it out. But basically getting the antenna off requires the removal of that one screw thing and the rest of it will come off. You might want to use a set of pliers with a bit of liquid latex that's hardened on the teeth to help you remove it. I did a power antenna job on my friends sister's maxima and I scratched that nice shiny part to hell. Besides the liquid latex stuff'll help a bit with the grip too.
For your tail lights, you'll need to use a heat gun on the butyl tape after it's been pressed onto your car again to make the seal. If you pull off a good new set, you'll see it's white and gummy. That's the sealant nissan's using for the tail lights.
As for the antenna, there's a smooth round nut type thing at the top of the black part that's on the body. you'll need to get that off to be able to disconnect the antenna. There should be a few bolts on the inside if you've a power antenna. For the standing mast antenna, I've yet to have a look at the problem myself as it's been cold enough to make my nipples cut glass thus my reluctance to stand outside to figure it out. But basically getting the antenna off requires the removal of that one screw thing and the rest of it will come off. You might want to use a set of pliers with a bit of liquid latex that's hardened on the teeth to help you remove it. I did a power antenna job on my friends sister's maxima and I scratched that nice shiny part to hell. Besides the liquid latex stuff'll help a bit with the grip too.
thanks
Hi 180fanIm going to have to look into the window moldings, the ones that you can get at the auto store are they just general window moldings or a special model or part number?
I was going through 240SX.org I think it was and in their FAQ section it said to get 3M Strip Caulk. It is black and kind of rubbery. When I did the taillight assembly, they forgot to mention the heat gun so I would assume it isnt fully sealed since i didnt use a heat gun. Any ideas?
Lastly, the antenna. It is like a blizzard out here in OR, so i can wait till things calm down a bit, but do you think you may get a chance to look at the antenna setup so you can better describe how to remove? Are the pliers and liquid latex necessary? I have pliers and I dont mind if the antenna Im pulling out gets messed up, just not the new one im putting in.
Thanks alot for your help 180fan!
1drifterX
I was going through 240SX.org I think it was and in their FAQ section it said to get 3M Strip Caulk. It is black and kind of rubbery. When I did the taillight assembly, they forgot to mention the heat gun so I would assume it isnt fully sealed since i didnt use a heat gun. Any ideas?
Lastly, the antenna. It is like a blizzard out here in OR, so i can wait till things calm down a bit, but do you think you may get a chance to look at the antenna setup so you can better describe how to remove? Are the pliers and liquid latex necessary? I have pliers and I dont mind if the antenna Im pulling out gets messed up, just not the new one im putting in.
Thanks alot for your help 180fan!
1drifterX
The local auto parts store over here has a generic kit that needs a bit of finessing into the moulding areas. But yeah they'll work fine. I think it was something like 30 bucks for 25 feet or something like that. I'll go check the auto parts store again for that.
The 3m caulking strip I'm not too sure of since I've never used it. I would think that you've gotta put the stuff on, press it on in place and then remove the second strip on the back and press the tail lights on. Chances are it'd be fine to use that way, but maybe it's not thick enough or maybe there was a small wrinkle somewhere in the strip? I'd check that out before going out to buy more of the stuff. When I did get my 180sx center garnish, I did have some of the white gummy stuff still left on it. So I just heat gunned it for about an hour (it got fairly hot to the touch) and I've not had a problem with the garnish section. However, the other tail lights are still a bit leaky but I'll be switching to kouki's in a short bit with the new seals. However, I know for sure that the nissan stuff does need to be heat gunned.
As for the antenna stuff, the latex on the pliers aren't really needed, but it helps. If you check out the little polished chrome/stainless steel ring that's at the base of your antenna, that ring's got a small notch in it. I'm not totally sure how it's supposed to come out, but it does unscrew. I've heard that there was a tool for it, but personally I don't like the idea of buying another special tool just for that one piece. Thus my using the pliers to grip the ring and the latex to keep it from getting scuffed up. Then the black post thing that the mast pokes out of should be clipped into the body. Basically that needs to come out for either of us to be able to put a gasket or some form of sealant there to keep it from leaking if it's leaking there. If not, then you'll be fine as the antenna and motor should come out. If you've got a fixed mast, it should just unbolt from the bottom of the antenna mast. Then you're all set.
The 3m caulking strip I'm not too sure of since I've never used it. I would think that you've gotta put the stuff on, press it on in place and then remove the second strip on the back and press the tail lights on. Chances are it'd be fine to use that way, but maybe it's not thick enough or maybe there was a small wrinkle somewhere in the strip? I'd check that out before going out to buy more of the stuff. When I did get my 180sx center garnish, I did have some of the white gummy stuff still left on it. So I just heat gunned it for about an hour (it got fairly hot to the touch) and I've not had a problem with the garnish section. However, the other tail lights are still a bit leaky but I'll be switching to kouki's in a short bit with the new seals. However, I know for sure that the nissan stuff does need to be heat gunned.
As for the antenna stuff, the latex on the pliers aren't really needed, but it helps. If you check out the little polished chrome/stainless steel ring that's at the base of your antenna, that ring's got a small notch in it. I'm not totally sure how it's supposed to come out, but it does unscrew. I've heard that there was a tool for it, but personally I don't like the idea of buying another special tool just for that one piece. Thus my using the pliers to grip the ring and the latex to keep it from getting scuffed up. Then the black post thing that the mast pokes out of should be clipped into the body. Basically that needs to come out for either of us to be able to put a gasket or some form of sealant there to keep it from leaking if it's leaking there. If not, then you'll be fine as the antenna and motor should come out. If you've got a fixed mast, it should just unbolt from the bottom of the antenna mast. Then you're all set.