[TheLip]

I picked up my 718C a week ago. This evening I was walking up to my car and saw that there was condensation inside the right tail light. I thought I saw a thread on this issue in this forum but couldn't find it. Anybody else have this problem? I have notified my SA and will see what he says and let you know.

 

[trusted]

I noticed it on mine twice. It should clear up on its own and apparently it's normal.

 

[4802]

I noticed it on mine twice. It should clear up on its own and apparently it's normal.

It also happens occasionally on the headlights given the right conditions (or wrong, depending on how you look at it) & was also the same on my previous 981 & the 987 before it. It actually occurs on the majority of cars here from most manufacturers & at all price ranges.

 

[trusted]

This article explains it very well imo:
https://www.carlightblog.com/2014/06/24/fogging-the-ultimate-guide/

 

[TheLip]

I have owned many cars from many manufacturers, but this is the first time I ever have had condensation inside a housing. I have a hard time accepting that it is normal. I am still waiting to hear from my SA.

 

[autobahn]

It's in the manual calling it normal.

I agree that it's not common in other cars, I'm wondering if it's because of some design consideration.

But I doubt you'll have traction getting it "fixed", my understanding is this happens on all the cars so it's not a defect, per se.

 

[4802]

It's in the manual calling it normal.

I agree that it's not common in other cars, I'm wondering if it's because of some design consideration.

But I doubt you'll have traction getting it "fixed", my understanding is this happens on all the cars so it's not a defect, per se.

Actually it's very common on other cars but is probably dependant on weather conditions / humidity etc in the area you live. I've owned in excess of 20 Audi's & to my recollection pretty much every one of them had that problem at some time (if you can call something so insignificant a problem), especially my MK1 225 TT which had headlights that were misted more often than not. It does vary in frequency from model to model, but both my 718 & my previous Porsche's, my wife's current BMW & her last one, various VW's, Peugeot's, Fords & most cars will display misting at some time given the right conditions. It's more noticeable on headlights but affects tail lights as well.

 

[GregW]

The headlights and taillights are sealed internally--the plastic surrounds are not, they are vented. So some condensation is normal and will disappear when the lights are on and heating the surrounds. Excessive condensation should not occur.

 

[PorscheCaymanGuy]

This is normal. I had the same issue and took my vehicle to the dealership the morning after I spotted it. The mechanic explained to me that it is essentially a normal observation to make, and that the lights have vents that should take care of it. I believe the 718's are amongst the first Porsche cars to have LED taillights (I may be wrong).

If it is persistently occurring, just talk to your SA and they should be able to take a look at it for you.

 

[agent 86]

The day I picked up my car from the dealership, I noticed condensation in one of the headlight lens after they washed the car. I was a bit concerned and pointed it out to the salesman. He said that it was normal.

Since picking up my car, there has been maybe 3 other instances of condensation, all in the tail light. It occurred after washing. I washed my car on average 2 times a month. There's no film, or substance left behind in the lens so it doesn't bother me.

 

[Porsche2018]

I have been washing my car every 7 to 10 days for the past 3 months never noticed any condensation in the headlight lens and I use a power washer to wet/rinse the CS several times during each wash.

 

[fjk737]

Seen it once or twice

It always clears up on its own.

 

[weemalci]

i've also had condensation but only if the car has been left out overnight.

 

[4802]

It always clears up on its own.

As "fjk737" stated it clears up on it's own & I can't say I've ever really noticed washing the car has had any bearing on whether condensation forms on lenses or not. However it has to be pointed out that I don't generally pay that much attention. Misting is an entirely normal occurrence that I'm well used to. I can see how washing the car might have an effect though. If the water vapour present in the headlight or tail-light is warmer than the water you've just washed the car with, condensate is highly likely to form on the newly chilled lens. As GregW has already alluded to, it's only something that should be viewed as abnormal if large water droplets are forming & not dissipating (that may indicate a vent hole is blocked). Here in Wales where we have a temperate climate with more than our fair share of rain & high humidity it doesn't matter what car you own, you're likely to see it at some time. Whatever the vehicle brand & whatever the cost & whether you've personally witnessed misting on that vehicle I can guarantee it wouldn't be immune here. The only way immunity to water vapour could be achieved was if the headlight or tail-light was a hermetically sealed unit that was sealed under very dry conditions. But they aren't & neither to my knowledge are the headlights / tail-lights on other modern cars, they all vent in exactly the same way.

 

[TheLip]

Interesting responses. Living in LA, which (apart from El Nino winters) has a very dry climate, I have never seen this before. My SA thinks it is nothing, as well. So be it. Thank you all for you insights.

 

[4802]

Just as a follow up on the subject of lights misting & for information. I've recently noticed that when the weather is cold & the heating turned high I can sometimes get misting occurring on the interior surface of the Sports Chrono clock. It's not something I've experienced on my previous cars, despite the fact they too were also Sports Chrono equipped. Whilst I wasn't particularly concerned, I thought I might as well just query it & I wasn't too surprised by the answer, which is attached below along with pictures. :-

 

[ssmv650]

Just as a follow up on the subject of lights misting & for information. I've recently noticed that when the weather is cold & the heating turned high I can sometimes get misting occurring on the interior surface of the Sports Chrono clock. It's not something I've experienced on my previous cars, despite the fact they too were also Sports Chrono equipped. Whilst I wasn't particularly concerned, I thought I might as well just query it & I wasn't too surprised by the answer, which is attached below along with pictures. :-

This is a clear indicator your seat is too far forward in the car and you are driving to enthusiastically.



ssmv650

 

[|2adi0head]

I noticed the referenced condensation recently, as well. In short, my '18 CGTS was outside during a decent rain one evening. Though the car was hastily garaged upon my return home, I happened to notice (upon return from a trip five days later!), that almost the entire left rear tail light was fogged up (after having not been driven for days).

Fortunately, I had a service appointment already setup that week, and with the photo that I had taken, the dealer replaced the light gratis. When I arrived back home after the service appointment, upon examination there was actually still a bit of fogging (~20%) on the same light, though this has since been ameliorated.

In any case, the service manager attempted to elucidate something about how the LED light / enclosure may not have been properly engineered or some such thing (umm, I bought a Porsche...), and to some extent the problem is considered 'normal' and 'not an issue' for the most part.

All this being said, I wonder where the H2O is hanging out (for days while parked) -- potential root cause?

 

[alf_17]

I can't think of any car that I have owned that never had any condensation in the head or tail lights.
In my mind it is normal and a non issue.
The only way I can figure the manufacturer could avoid condensation to ever form in the lights would be to have the lights 100% sealed and airtight, which would make them in to pressure vessels, which is of course not practical.
Air will need get in and out of the light housing as temperature and pressures change, but that would also allow moisture from the air to get in, which is what can cause condensation.

 

[GTS Daddy]

It's normal. Porsche designs the lights as breathable systems.

Nothing to see here.