Condensation in rear light lenses of a 718 Cayman

[CDR]

Hi,

My 718 GT4 also suffers from condensation in the rear lights and from what I have read on this and other forums this is unfortunately a “feature” of the 718 models.

CDR

 

[Mcmikey62]

I did search condensation before posting but got no hits. Bizarre that its a regular thing. I will see how it goes when they replace them but Im assuming where there is water there will be algae and quite how you deal with that is a different issue all together. Problem of course is that algae will conveniently arrive shortly after the warranty expires of course!

 

[RJW]

My 981 suffers the same malady but dries out quickly once in a dry environment.

 

[fasterthanlight]

I've had two 981 Boxsters and a 718 Cayman. All three have suffered from this problem, but I think the much larger expanse of clear lens on the 718 makes it more apparent than on the 981. It doesn't annoy me too much - I find the sticking ventilation fan issue on all three cars far more annoying. Still, you'd think Porsche would be capable of fixing such little issues over the nearly 9 years the 981/718 has been in production.

 

[Mcmikey62]

Although I love driving my 4.0 GTS I must admit I'm finding the Porsche experience less than impressive. I noticed that the rear light lenses had significant condensation forming on the inside of the lenses. I sent an email with a photo to PC Teeside and got the response to see if it happened again and re photograph so they had evidence for a claim. When I sent a second set of photos I got the response that this is apparently a common problem. I replied with a sarcastic email suggesting that the last time I heard the excuse 'they all do that sir' was in the 1970's at a BL garage when we returned my Dad's Maxi 1750 with some non specific failing! Following this, or maybe because I sent a check email to PC Kendal and this was reported to Teeside, I received an email suggesting they would now replace the lenses. At the same time they will try and fix a connectivity issue for the Porsche Connect/ active SatNav and an issue with DAB reception. They will also perform a second recall fix.

Just wondering is the light issue truly they all do that? and also is my reliability experience normal?

 

[Twinfan]

I believe the light units are ventilated, so the condensation is perfectly normal.

 

[JohnCRS]

TADTS, to a greater or lesser extent is certainly an accurate statement. Some folk have gone to the extent of drilling extra holes to increase the ventilation but this is extreme. Most find it occurs in damp conditions or when washing the car, but it should clear pretty quickly each time. Porsche are unlikely to do anything about it unless there is a fault in the light’s operation or if it is proven to be particularly persistent. It rarely seems to happen when you park up at the OPC. That is for condensatio, but if there is water collecting in the lights, then you have a valid claim.

Porsche ownership can be character building, see threads on condensers, grills, PDK issues, rusty nut and bolts, headlight cracking, Porsche tax etc. etc., but we tell ourselves that other marques have their own issues and Porsche build such flippin good cars. (No pun intended!)

Get back in the driving seat - it’s fantastic isn’t it. Enjoy!

 

[Mcmikey62]

Y I kind of feel if I go round the car park at Tesco and no other car, many with LED lights, has the same issue then it’s a fault not a character trait. I’ve also had more issues in 4,000 miles than I had in 120,000 miles with a sequence of 3 BMW 2 series. That said it is a wonderful thing to drive.

 

[Dick Dastardly]

Had the same issue with my Cayman 718S, got the ‘they all do that sir‘ comment from the dealer. If in warranty best to photograph it and e-mail dealer so it is on the service record if you have a problem further down the line.

 

[fergusor]

I have the same issue on my 718 Cayman, and I've seen many other 718's with condensation in the light units.

I follow Neel Jani on instagram and he posted a story of his 992 911 GT3 and it also had the same issue (image attached). It's hard to tell in the image but the whole lower part of the light is filled with condensation.

 

[Mcmikey62]

Given the price of bottled water I suppose £130,000 to get some free of charge distilled water isn't too bad!

 

[Scrounger]

Yep. Mine does it and so does my mates around the corner.

 

[robertbaird]

Seen only in my rear lights. Seems heat from the engine warms this area in particular and then if the outside air is cooler condensation appears. More a winter problem from what I can see.

RB

 

[RJW]

Seen only in my rear lights. Seems heat from the engine warms this area in particular and then if the outside air is cooler condensation appears. More a winter problem from what I can see.

RB

That sounds logical. If there is no record of damage to the lights caused by this then maybe not a big issue.

 

[Allblack]

Surely the condensation must refract the light emitted by the headlight/taillight in a different way to how the vehicle was homologated because I am sure that the headlights/taillights were not evaluated with condensation in the lenses.

So my guess would be that to drive the vehicle on the public highway in this condition may well be illegal!!!

Only a guess though!

 

[Mcmikey62]

Update, Porsche Centre Teesside relented and fitted new rear light clusters under warranty a couple of weeks ago following sarcastic emails to them on the theme of “they all do that”. They had suggested that the cause was a pressure washer blasting water in and so I avoided washing the car, They made a rather good job of washing it and I went on my way. Sure enough by the time I’d driven 200 miles I came out to see more condensation in the light lenses.

Apparently the do all do that. I surrender[].

 

[MJB]

Such a common problem does appear to be a sad reflection on product quality and service. It does not seem to have been such a prevalent issue with older models when they were new or even on many of them now that they are old.

Aside from 'they all do that' being the last thing that a customer ever wants to hear, surely that is an admission that the problem needs to be rectified at source?

 

[Mcmikey62]

The irony of ‘they all do that’ and it’s connotations with awful cars from the 70’s and 80’s was what got them to make the change. I feel that exposing them to the cost of repairing is the only way to get Porsche to understand it is actually a real issue.

 

[Twinfan]

Such a common problem does appear to be a sad reflection on product quality and service. It does not seem to have been such a prevalent issue with older models when they were new or even on many of them now that they are old.

Aside from 'they all do that' being the last thing that a customer ever wants to hear, surely that is an admission that the problem needs to be rectified at source?

The irony of ‘they all do that’ and it’s connotations with awful cars from the 70’s and 80’s was what got them to make the change. I feel that exposing them to the cost of repairing is the only way to get Porsche to understand it is actually a real issue.

But it's not a fault or an issue - the lights are ventilated (I assume for heat management reasons) therefore the condensation is just a natural combination of slight water ingress and heat from either the units themselves or direct sunlight. If they subsequently clear then all is good, if they don't clear then there's likely to be a blockage in the ventilation system and they should be checked/cleaned/replaced as necessary.

It's not the same situation as the misting up in older, sealed units from years back.

 

[Mcmikey62]

"But it's not a fault or an issue - the lights are ventilated (I assume for heat management reasons) therefore the condensation is just a natural combination of slight water ingress and heat from either the units themselves or direct sunlight. If they subsequently clear then all is good, if they don't clear then there's likely to be a blockage in the ventilation system and they should be checked/cleaned/replaced as necessary.



It's not the same situation as the misting up in older, sealed units from years back."

I don't agree, other companies have moved to LED rear lights but don't appear to suffer from the same issue, as I say a walk around Tesco car park confirms that. If there is moisture its only a matter of time before some opportunistic bryophyte takes up residence in there. Then, given the units are sealed in reality, it will be impossible to clean meaning that anyone over 3 years in will be forced to pay for the replacement lights. Aside from that its unsightly, and as my original pictures show, is quite extensive.