leaking taillights

[davidpertuz@mindspring.com]

I remember the familiar leaking-taillight problem
and fix, as seen on se-r.net, but IIRC that
addresses leaks from the taillight unit attached
to the body.

I have finally located the source of the leak into
my trunk, which has come from the trunk lid. WHenever
the car had been out in some rain, I would usually
get a dribble of water running out of the turnk lid
in the taillight area when I opened it.

TOday, I was able to trace it, and it seems to be
coming from where the back of the trunk taillight
unit (the "guts", not the lens area) goes through
its hole int he sheetmetal and is screwed down.I can
see a rubber seal on that edge, which is wet on the
affected side and dry on the other.

Looking in my FSM showed how the taillight is attached,
and that this gasket is one that is applied with heat.
Since I do not want to order a new gasket (if that's
even possible) and remove the taillight panel, I am
inclined to seal the seam with silicone or similar
goop. But, looking at the area, I am not entirely sure
that that would not simply allow water to be trapped
inside the taillight or sheetmatal in the immediate
vicinity, rather than keep all thw water out.

Has anyone had a leak from the trunk taillight panel
and successfully stopped it?

thanks,
david