Helpful ReplyAC Condensers.

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RodHall PCGB Member Total Posts : 19 Joined: 2021/10/07 17:58:50 Status: offline RodHall PCGB Member 2023/05/29 20:02:30 (permalink) AC Condensers. 2008 Cayman not blowing cold air. Problem diagnosed as AC condensers leaking - showing signs of dark patches. But. 8000 miles & 2.5 years previously the car was fitted with 2 new AC condensers. Wondering if anybody has suffered similar very short life of these parts. ( Rad grilles not fitted ) #1 List Solutions Only 13 Replies
Scrounger PCGB Member Total Posts : 934 Joined: 2020/07/11 20:29:40 Status: offline Scrounger PCGB Member Re: AC Condensers. 2023/05/29 20:21:47 (permalink) Pretty good chance there's been some impact damage from a stone or such like. The joys of having wide open intakes and delicate rads I'm afraid. I'd strongly suggest fitting Zunsport grilles if/when you get new condensers fitted. Dan North West (R5 & R18) Current: 2022 Cayman GTS 4.0 Aventurine Green, PDK Gone but not forgotten: 2020 Base Cayman, White, PDK #2
Andy-S-987 Guest of the Club Total Posts : 7 Joined: 2022/07/24 19:58:57 Status: offline Andy-S-987 Guest of the Club Re: AC Condensers. 2023/06/08 08:19:40 (permalink) More than likely some impact damage. I'd highly recommend the zunsport grilles as previosly stated. I replaced my condensers myself last weekend. It's a fairly straight forward job for the DIY enthusiast. All in it took me around 1½ hours. #3
RodHall PCGB Member Total Posts : 19 Joined: 2021/10/07 17:58:50 Status: offline RodHall PCGB Member Re: AC Condensers. 2023/06/08 10:25:47 (permalink) Thanks for replies Dan & Andy. The garage who fitted the new ac condensers in 2020 advise at that time parts were difficult to source & apart from stone chip damage, the material could be corroded by salt. Andy which brand did you fit please ? I’m aware of Porsche genuine parts, Mahle & NRF. Did the old condensers show signs of damage ? #4
Andy-S-987 Guest of the Club Total Posts : 7 Joined: 2022/07/24 19:58:57 Status: offline Andy-S-987 Guest of the Club Re: AC Condensers. 2023/06/08 12:05:44 (permalink) I fitted the Mahle ones. Both of mine were bust. When I took them off, I could see all the uv dye that had leaked out of them from when they were tested. It looked more like corrosion, rather than stone damage. post edited by Andy-S-987 - 2023/06/08 12:07:00 #5
RodHall PCGB Member Total Posts : 19 Joined: 2021/10/07 17:58:50 Status: offline RodHall PCGB Member Re: AC Condensers. 2023/06/08 13:11:27 (permalink) “Looks like corrosion“ is interesting & worry ing. Rad grilles will certainly give protection from stone damage, but salt/ road spray will still get through. obviously it’s the quality of material & design of the parts that’s the problem. In 48 years of motoring I’ve never heard or experienced such a short life of parts. #6
Andy-S-987 Guest of the Club Total Posts : 7 Joined: 2022/07/24 19:58:57 Status: offline Andy-S-987 Guest of the Club Re: AC Condensers. 2023/06/08 15:39:03 (permalink) I'd be quite confident in saying they were the originals from 2008, though. Attached Image(s) #7
Dick Dastardly PCGB Member Total Posts : 233 Joined: 2016/11/10 14:16:32 Status: offline Dick Dastardly PCGB Member Re: AC Condensers. 2023/06/08 21:02:56 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby RodHall 2023/06/09 14:18:09 Had similar problem not on Cayman but on my 992 but imagine the same comments would apply. After about 2 years A/C stopped blowing cold air. Back to dealers and they said both condensers had failed due to stone damage. Went to see the car on ramps and could only see staining but no evidence of any impact damage on the vanes. Contacted Porsche UK as dealer was unhelpful, Porsche UK simply repeated stone damage per the dealer and said not covered under warranty as ‘Outside influence’. Dealer Quoted about £1,100 to replace as a ‘Goodwill gesture’ compared to their quoted price of £1,400, said I wanted to see condensers which were replaced and would carry out independent engineers report. Strangely the dealer then advised that after they were taken off they had found a manufacturing fault in both condensers and would be replaced FOC under warranty! May be worth looking at this if OEM part. Would not expect failure at 2 years on this type of component. Stone damage and leaves in the condensers can be a problem due to the exposed and unprotected position. As others mentioned the Zunsport grilles are a must. There is a discount code for club members. Present 992 C2S-Gentian Blue Previous 718 Cayman S - Graphite Blue 944 S2 Midnight Blue #8
RodHall PCGB Member Total Posts : 19 Joined: 2021/10/07 17:58:50 Status: offline RodHall PCGB Member Re: AC Condensers. 2023/06/09 14:29:56 (permalink) I think we’re getting down to the nitty gritty root cause of the problem now - faulty parts. Looking at Andy’s pics I don’t see any stone damage ? If a stone puts a hole in a Rad you‘d be able to see it. Thanks for info on manufacturing fault Dick. Ive inspected my ac condensers - there’s no evidence of stone damage. The dark areas which the garage say are evidence of leakage are actually in the outside corners hence protected from stone damage by the bumper. I was always aware of the leaves build up issue therefore have been fastidious in removing any debris. #9
Mach PCGB Member Total Posts : 42 Joined: 2022/06/12 16:31:27 Status: offline Mach PCGB Member Re: AC Condensers. 2023/06/09 17:48:33 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby RodHall 2023/06/13 15:50:05 The 992 in the family had a similar issue. On removal it was corrosion in the lower outboard corners. 3 years and a few days from delivery. With or without grilles you will get debris in there,this then absorbs moisture and won't dry out in our winters. The only solution is really to access the area and properly clean it out so the car doesn't have the condensers sat in a pool of moist salty debris over the winter. I've also treated mine with some Ambersil Dry Moly in the vulnerable areas. Might help, I guess I'll find out. #10
Mathias66 PCGB Member Total Posts : 1 Joined: 2023/06/02 05:59:31 Status: offline Mathias66 PCGB Member Re: AC Condensers. 2023/06/12 16:21:24 (permalink) Where can I find these discounted Grilles? #11
Andy-S-987 Guest of the Club Total Posts : 7 Joined: 2022/07/24 19:58:57 Status: offline Andy-S-987 Guest of the Club Re: AC Condensers. 2023/06/12 16:42:09 (permalink) You can find them here https://www.zunsport.com/en/ post edited by Andy-S-987 - 2023/06/12 16:43:59 #12
AlistairF PCGB Member Total Posts : 148 Joined: 2018/12/15 16:48:16 Status: offline AlistairF PCGB Member Re: AC Condensers. 2023/06/12 19:08:02 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby RodHall 2023/06/13 15:48:57 I had a failure at 5 years. On inspection the OPC replaced it under (extended) warranty putting it down to a faulty weld. I asked them you change both while at it…paying for the ok condenser. I have the ok one…just checked labelled Modine made in Austria with Porsche sticker. Interestingly it’s dated 10 2016 which is newer than my car…so must have been changed previously. #13
RodHall PCGB Member Total Posts : 19 Joined: 2021/10/07 17:58:50 Status: offline RodHall PCGB Member Re: AC Condensers. 2023/06/13 15:51:22 (permalink) Above evidence suggests even expensive genuine Porsche parts don’t last long. #14

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Helpful ReplyAC Condensers.

AC Condensers.

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