Fixing leaking cab lights
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,358
Likes: 250
Fixing leaking cab lights
Getting a cab light fixed under warranty due to it letting water in the cab. Is there anything i can do that the dealer won't that will help keep leaks at Bay? I've heard guys saying to goop RTV sealer around the lights or switch to Recon lights because they have a better gasket and still smear RTV on them.
Truck is a late 2019 build so it should have the "updated" gasket from what I've read.
Truck is a late 2019 build so it should have the "updated" gasket from what I've read.
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 618
Likes: 257
From: Stow, MA
Not a big fan of RTV Silicone sealer. Butyl tape is by far a better sealant. I'd pull your lights; add a strip of butyl around the perimeter and then reinstall. Let the butyl squish out all around (if it doesnt, you don't have enough on) and remove the squeeze-out with some mineral spirits or naptha.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,358
Likes: 250
I am but the cab light issue was already in the works before they ticked me off so I'm going to let them fix this last one. I still need to figure out what to do the next time a cab light starts leaking, and the best fixes are usually one's that aren't in the service manuals.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,247
Likes: 7,666
From: Chino Valley, Arizona
mine leaked the only time I drove it in the rain, dealer replaced 1 light, not been rained on since. if they leak again I will pull them and put a small bead of buttle paste around the outer edge.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 997
Likes: 262
From: Central New York
My 17 has never leaked. I did replace with aftermarket clear lights a couple of years ago.
I would suggest just to tighten the one fastener on each light a little. Gasket seems to work well on my truck with no additional sealants.
I would suggest just to tighten the one fastener on each light a little. Gasket seems to work well on my truck with no additional sealants.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 273
From: South Central Indiana
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Laughing Gas
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2003
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Likes: 250
ETA. If I could do it over of skip the lights. They look good but after this leak I'm going to worry about another one everytime the truck gets wet.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,529
Likes: 390
From: SEVA
One would assume the newer trucks come with the updated gasket as shown in the video below. I might be half-temped to pull one off the 2022 after it arrives to examine the gasket, then decide whether or not to add a thin layer of weather-stripping (cut to fit, of course). When the CHMSL leaked on my 2010 F150, the price for the replacement was horrendous and I fixed the leak with some weather-stripping from Ace Hardware. Note - If you attempt this, ensure you use closed-cell weather-stripping.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,358
Likes: 250
Update. Got the truck back today and even though one of the cab lights was dripping a little bit the biggest source of the leak was one of the rubber plugs on the front wall of the cab shell behind the wheel well liner. The plug was partially out and acted like a funnel for any water running down the windshield.
Cross-Country
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 51
Likes: 7
mine started leaking, truck is a year and a half old, I will report back how I fixed it. Thinking about sealing it with lexel sealant, stuff has wicked reviews I was going to mask off the roof, remove the screw, seal around the perimeter since the foam gasket is a little smaller then the lamp then put a little sealant on the underside of the screw head and under the rubber washer and reinstall the screw.
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