I basjoosed my headlights today (sealed the surrounding gap)

[wagonman76]

Nice job. And for very little cost.

My Celebrity has a pretty nicely put together front end, the headlights have virtually no gaps around them and everything is a clean look and is secure. The 6000, on the other hand, same year, has this front end that just looks so slapped together like a beginner high school shop project. Huge gaps, and nothing really lines up very well. Even the attachment of the grille itself is this hokey setup with these rubber clip things that rot, and these plastic clips on the sides that break off about every other time you remove the grille. Would probably be worth it and look better to just make an entire new solid grille for the 6000 out of coroplast.

[cfg83]

MetroMPG -

Thanks for the pix. I have some of this tape on the top of my headlights. My gap was so big I had to double-decker it. Now I need to take another look at the other places I can tape.

CarloSW2

[FunkSkunk]

I just did mine around the top of my headlights and I continued it up the side of under the hood. There is and even bigger gap that I actually doubled up on the weatherstripping to fill it.

[MetroMPG]

I was thinking I'd probably do the same thing. Looks like you found some better (thicker) weatherstripping than I did.

[FunkSkunk]

No I think it's the same stuff, I just had to do two layers for under the hood. Found the 1/2 thick stuff at Wal-Mart for about $2.50 a roll, I think Lowes has it too, but I'm not sure the price difference.

OH, and around the headlights I noticed there is a bracket for the lens, so I made sure to put a separate piece on that and cut out around the screw head just in case I needed to get it out one day. It wasn't as clean as I had wanted but it works for now.

I didn't even think about under the headlights! oh, and I noticed you didn't try to squeeze the weatherstripping in between the little notch and the inside of the lights coming up from the bumper, it was a pain but I got mine in there.

[FunkSkunk]

Just FYI, I'm jealous of your black bumper, It's really a pain in the butt trying to figure out how I'm going to cover up that stupid 'Schlick Quattro' bumper on mine without it looks ridiculous! (see pic in my garage)

[Intrigued]

Hey, before I try something like this...have any of you done much night driving with the weatherstripping on the headlamps like that? Back when I used to work for the GM dealership I saw some pretty strange things happen to things accidentally against a headlamp. I'd for sure want something with a high melting point - like the rubber strips the OEMs use...

Do some of those weatherstrips say "hi-temp"???

[saunders1313]

That is an interesting question. Although I don't do too much night driving I would still want to know if anyone has noticed anything. Also, has anyone noticed any difference in fe from doing the weatherstripping? How noticeable is the weatherstripping? I don't want my car to look like it has mods, I want it to look like it's supposed to be there.

[MetroMPG]

You won't be able to detect any fuel consumption difference by doing this mod. It was the equivalent of closing up a business card-sized hole in the front of the car. That's not to say it doesn't help a small amount, only that the effect will be smaller than the normal variation in your fuel consumption from other factors.

FYI, the weather stripping between the bumper and the light on my car has come undone and the foam has slid further back than I'd like. The double-sided adhesive didn't stick to the foam as well as it did to the paint.

I'm guessing this is due to heat - not from the headlights but from sunlight on the black foam/black paint. (If it was heat from the lights, the strip on top of the headlight assembly would have let go too, but it's fine - because it's shielded from direct sun when the hood is closed.)

[Intrigued]

I've seen the "adhesive didn't stick to the foam" issue with several different weatherstrips when trying to stop water leaks on different cars - after a while the foam seems to draw up, and leaves a sticky mess.

Still, I like the idea. Every little bit helps when looking for ultimate mpg, even if one particular idea doesn't show a measureable gain.

Hey, I just remembered something! Use something like a trunk lid or door weatherstrip. Maybe a piece of door w'strip or lip seal off an old car. Most of those are better with heat, and won't draw up. It'll look more professional, too. Rub silicone on the "face" to keep it from being pulled by whatever contacts it. I can't remember if the yellow or black w'strip adhesive works best, but maybe one of you guys do.