The taillight gaskets on my diesel are old. There is no cracking but they are a little dry. Some water is getting in to the trunk wells. Years ago on my '80 SD, I used silicone sealant, but I would rather find a cleaner, better way.

Is there some I could use to recondition the gaskets? Vaseline? Petro-jelly? Lithium grease?

Thanks, Mike

__________________
'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E

Mike,

I'd suggest you try buying new gaskets!! They are not expensive and you will probably then find your leak still exists.

I've replaced them and seems like all my leaks are traced back to the window seal. Rear window for trunk water, front windshield for cabin. I'm not as familar with your 300sd as 300d's.


Michael

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Michael McGuire
83 300d
01 vw A4 TDI
66 Chevy Corsa
68 GMC V6 w/oD
86 300E

Hi Mike,

I use Wurth rubber "conditioner" that contains glycerin, not silicone. Comes in a spray can. I also bought liquid glycerin from an internet "chemist store" which I use regularly on rubber hoses, door seals etc. It works best for maintaining good rubber rather than resurrecting old rubber.
Wurth would be your best bet, around $11 per can if memory serves me right. I order 3 or 4 at a time having 3 cars and a motorcycle to take care of.
Good luck
Reinhard

The gaskets on my 560 were really bad, and porous. I don't think they are made of the same rubber that the rest of the weathersrtipping is made of and didn't seem to respond to rubber rejuvinating products well. I've seen the horror of what happens when these particular gaskets go bad, though - pervasive, cancerous rust - as expensive as new ones are (on my car, they are about $60 ea(!)), I'd replace them.

Thanks for the responses guys. I think I will try the conditioner Rkreutzer mentioned, to start with.

The gaskets are indeed pricey.

Thanks again.

Mike

__________________
'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E