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Condensation In Rear Light After Washing Car

Markjp

PCGB Member
Member
Is it anything to worry about if condensation gets into the rear lights after washing the car or does it mean the light is faulty?

The right hand rear light of my new Cayman has got condensation in it but the left rear light is clear. The condensation is still there 4 hours after washing.

Mark

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Hi Mark,

I'd be raising this with your OPC, it's not a good sign and suggests water is getting into the lens casing. It might be OK for a while but it will compromise the longevity of the lens unit. Not something you’ll be wanting to replace out of warranty.

Chris

 
I noticed the same thing with my Cayman 718S, I reported it to the dealership and got the usual ‘they all do that sir’ which to be fair is correct even the ones in the showroom. They even do it when the air is humid.

I sent an e-mail to the PC so that it is recorded as a potential warranty issue should it cause problems out of warranty.

 
Hi, I’ve got the same problem. I got the OPC to give me a letter saying it was normal so when out of warranty this November I don’t have an issue with the extended warranty. I always if I doubt the response get the garage to issue a warranty letter to say it OK. I would recommend you do the same. Good luck.

 
It's perfectly normal and happens on 981 models too as the light clusters front and rear are vented. It's not an issue and won't cause further problems.

Markjp - was your condensed light in direct sunlight and your clear one not by any chance? That's how it affects my car.

 
I agree with Twinfan.

Condensation in the light lenses sometimes occurs depending on atmospheric conditions at the time. My experience with 5 Caymans is that it affects some cars more than others, particularly when parked outside overnight. My two 718 Caymans have not had any problems with lens condensation. Just the luck of the draw I think.

Brian

 
I'd be worried if it was a direct result of washing the car. Water shouldn't be getting into the lens unless something like a power washer is being used. Agreed the lenses will be vented and moisture may be visible in some situations where for example there has been high humidity followed by a rapidly rising ambient temperature.

 
Two days on and the condensation is still there.

I tried using a hair dryer to evaporate it and after 10 mins it had all gone, but it has come back again within minutes.

There seems to be divided opinion from the posts as to whether there is a fault with the light unit or not, but I think I will check with my OPC and see what they have to say.

It doesn't look great.

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If it's coming back that quick after clearing it out then it sounds like something is wrong.

Sounds to me like something is remaining damp behind the light housing.

Have you checked the boot carpet behind the light ?

 
JMR said:
If it's coming back that quick after clearing it out then it sounds like something is wrong.

Sounds to me like something is remaining damp behind the light housing.

Have you checked the boot carpet behind the light ?

I can't get behind the light. from the boot you can only get just to the bottom left edge of the light.

 
Here's the response I got from my OPC.

[font="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"]Hi Mark,[/font]

[font="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"] [/font]

[font="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"]Thanks for your email.[/font]

[font="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"] [/font]

[font="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"]All of the Porsche light units are ventilated, so it is quite normal for them to mist up, especially in damp or humid conditions.[/font]

[font="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"] [/font]

[font="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"]When we get some better weather and you have driven the car a few times I am sure it will disappear.[/font]

[font="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"] [/font]

[font="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"]Best Regards,[/font]

[font="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"] [/font]

[font="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"]Bruce.[/font]

[font="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"]It's the response I expected from feedback from others on this post.[/font]

[font="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"]I'm not convinced its going to go away of its own accord from the amount of condensation there is.[/font]

[font="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"]Time will tell![/font]

[font="arial,helvetica,sans-serif"]Mark [/font]

 
Mark,

The response from your OPC is spot-on. I wouldn't worry unduly about occasional misting on the light lenses, rather focus on the joys of owning and driving your new car. When the sun's back out and the weather is warm and dry, the lens misting will disappear.

Brian

 
Given I live in Scotland things are not going to get any drier or sunnier so I doubt it will “clear up” very disappointed with my new car. I previously had an `f-type and I thought jaguar made up some laughable excuses for all the faults it had, now I find out Porsche are no better.

[attachment=455B85AF-3A62-4F06...D8B2BC5E04-min.jpeg] I don’t believe it’s normal this is my cayman 4 days old both rear lights do this. This is not from washing just a light drizzle rain. I have it booked in for them to look at but have already been given this happens to them all, which is clearly a lie.

 
'Hooded Claw' my Cayman is going into my my local OPC on Thursday to look at my right rear light. Some 2 months & 3000 miles later it is still misting up. Sometimes it completely clears but is usually back to some degree the following day.

When I went to my OPC to book my car in the Service Advisor said it was normal for some misting up of the lens, but it should clear after 20-30 mins of driving as the units are vented. I could accept that, if it were the case as it doesn't seem unreasonable. However to still have condensation in the lens some 2 months later, to me indicates a faulty unit.

My Cayman is in for 2 days, I will report back the outcome over the weekend.

Mark

 
Thanks for the info. Mine is going in on the 29th for a day but I don’t expect much, other than “this is normal” but I will report back.

 
If they are supposed to be vented maybe the problem lies with possible blocked vents - wherever they are.

I'll be interested to see the outcome from the PC.

 
Good news, Porsche Aberdeen (where I bought the car) just phoned and say 100% the lights are faulty and have to be replaced. My car is booked into Porsche Edinburgh (where I live). They say I have not to let Edinburgh fob me off, to show them the pictures I have as proof. If Edinburgh refuse to replace them Aberdeen will send a lorry pick it up take it back up north replace them and deliver it back to me. That’s the kind of service I was expecting from Porsche. The salesman spoke to their master tech and to quote him “it’s a known problem with the LED clusters once moisture gets in the units have to be replaced”.



I will keep you posted to whether Edinburgh try and fob me off.

 
As I understand it yours is a brand new car and I would suggest that if Edinburgh baulk at replacing the units you refer them to the master tech at Aberdeen to advise them of the error of their ways..!

Hope it all goes well for you.

Jeff

 
Mark for your info this is what the OPC said to me.

RE: Rear light condensation

Hi Mark, I haven’t had any issues or has any customer brought to my attention anything about the rear lights creating moisture but I will speak to our master tec and see if he can shed any light on the matter

Regards Steve

Maybe it’s a problem only Marks suffer from. He phoned minutes after this to say the master tech said “faulty”

this is is a light after 30 seconds of rain.As you can see some of the ground is still dry!. car had been parked for 2 days so lights had not been on.

 
Markjp said:
'Hooded Claw' my Cayman is going into my my local OPC on Thursday to look at my right rear light. Some 2 months & 3000 miles later it is still misting up. Sometimes it completely clears but is usually back to some degree the following day.

When I went to my OPC to book my car in the Service Advisor said it was normal for some misting up of the lens, but it should clear after 20-30 mins of driving as the units are vented. I could accept that, if it were the case as it doesn't seem unreasonable. However to still have condensation in the lens some 2 months later, to me indicates a faulty unit.

My Cayman is in for 2 days, I will report back the outcome over the weekend.

Mark
Collected my Cayman yesterday and pleased to say they have replaced the unit.

The criteria for a warranty claim appears to be OPC have to drive the car for 30 minutes and if the condensation doesn't clear then it is deemed faulty. Porsche check data from the car to ensure OPC have driven the car on the day its with them and it is at least for 30 mins. Service adviser told me that they had a claim refused by Porsche because the car had been driven just short of the 30 mins! Service adviser also informed me that replacement units have a larger vent hole and that they haven't had any failures in replacement units.

Mark



 

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