[Rosss]

Hi People, I picked up my new 2019 Cayman last Monday. I drove it home and into my garage. I took it out on the Tuesday and did 13 miles. I have not used it since. I just reversed it out the garage 20 minutes ago, went to close the garage door and noticed a large puddle on the garage floor. Fluid is dripping off the underside of the body just behind the front wheel arch, 81 miles on the clock and it appears to be sickly. Dealer is closed today so I will give them a call tomorrow for advice. I'm a sad bunny at the moment. :crying:

I will let you all know the outcome.

 

[KEN OB]

Hi Rosss, is the fluid clear water ? it could be the air con waste outlet.

 

[jimmuller]

Hi Rosss, is the fluid clear water ? it could be the air con waste outlet.

Bummer that you are now afraid to drive it. But I agree with F. See if you can identify the fluid. Any smell, color? Does it feel oily?

 

[wriggly]

If it’s the drivers side front, the windshield washer fluid tank lids don’t seal well and going around corners allows the fluid to leak out the drivers side fender well. My solution is to keep the tank on the low side.

 

[Rosss]

Thanks for the ideas. I think it has colour but I cannot tell which. I discounted the air con outlet as it is slimy and has a smell. My thoughts were either, washer fluid, coolant or brake fluid. I tried to dip my finger in the washer fluid reservoir to see if it has the same feel and smell but could not reach the fluid (maybe an indicator the level has dropped as I have not used the washer yet). If you rubbed it between your fingers it appeared to turn white as if foaming up which leans again to the washer fluid. If it is washer fluid then I must have a permanent leak rather than an overfill escaping on corners as it was still dripping on my drive when reversed out my garage.

Wriggly, it is coming out the same side as the reservoir, hopefully it is just washer fluid coming out of a faulty reservoir or hose joint etc, here's hoping. I'll post the outcome when I get it.

Edit: it just occurred to me that I could have used the washer function to squirt some of the fluid for comparison, a bit of a Muppet moment! I will try that tomorrow.

 

[Porsche2018]

@Rosss, what was the verdict?

 

[Uz718]

So sorry to hear this Ross... Get Porsche assist on it...

 

[nineball]

if it is washer fluid it should feel essentially the same as if you put water between your finger tips. if it, as you say, has a more "slimy" feeling it should be something else. oil is going to be amber colored, trans should be red and brake fluid should be clear with a slight yellow tint.

 

[xstntl]

I had this same (seems like the same) issue with mine. Not water, not oily, but dirty-kind-of-thick car juice. I caught some and took it to the dealer to get looked at. Said it has to do with the wiper fluid reservoir -- some connection midway up the tank that doesn't seal properly. Easy fix - drain the reservoir to just below half. In the mean time they have ordered a replacement part and will install probably when I get my first service. I still don't think that I have used window washer fluid since I've had the car so I don't even notice.

 

[wriggly]

Thanks for the ideas. I think it has colour but I cannot tell which. I discounted the air con outlet as it is slimy and has a smell. My thoughts were either, washer fluid, coolant or brake fluid. I tried to dip my finger in the washer fluid reservoir to see if it has the same feel and smell but could not reach the fluid (maybe an indicator the level has dropped as I have not used the washer yet). If you rubbed it between your fingers it appeared to turn white as if foaming up which leans again to the washer fluid. If it is washer fluid then I must have a permanent leak rather than an overfill escaping on corners as it was still dripping on my drive when reversed out my garage.

Wriggly, it is coming out the same side as the reservoir, hopefully it is just washer fluid coming out of a faulty reservoir or hose joint etc, here's hoping. I'll post the outcome when I get it.

Edit: it just occurred to me that I could have used the washer function to squirt some of the fluid for comparison, a bit of a Muppet moment! I will try that tomorrow.

I'd be willing to wager its the washer fluid. It will indeed foam white if it's the factory fill. The screen at the Top of the fill has to be removed and then a quarter inch hose can be snaked down to enable siphoning enough out to get below whatever point the leak occurs. The screen requires a bit of fiddling to get out. I found that rotating it as if trying to unscrew it while pulling up on it will get it to unsnap.

I'm curious what connection could be leaking and how difficult it would be for the dealer to correct. Mine only leaks during spirited drives. The car can sit for weeks on end with no leakage. My solution is to keep it low and not use the washers. I used a marker to put "Don't Fil" on the lid, so the dealer doesn't add any at service.

 

[jimmuller]

The screen at the Top of the fill has to be removed and then a quarter inch hose can be snaked down to enable siphoning enough out to get below whatever point the leak occurs.

Why not just squirt it out? Keep your windshield and headlights clean!

 

[wriggly]

Why not just squirt it out? Keep your windshield and headlights clean!

Mainly because I don't want it all over the car. My 718 is my fair weather friend. I have other cars to donk around in crummy weather. Only thing my 718 has seen in the last year is dust and bugs.

 

[autobahn]

my factory washer fluid fill was goo. perhaps some sort of anti-freeze that wasn't properly PDIed.

I had to run 2 gallons through to clean the **** out.

 

[Rosss]

Hi People, sorry for the delay. The dealer decided it was washer fluid and asked me to drive to the dealership ( 84 mile round trip ) for them to have a look. It went in Wednesday, I got a courtesy car, they called Thursday to say it was a faulty pump for the headlight washer. The replacement pump was due in Saturday morning (today) and they would fit it for me to collect the car at lunchtime. I got a call lunchtime to say that the pump was not the fault, they did not know what was wrong and would have to get Porsche Technical involved. No indication as to how long this would be. They then informed that they needed the car they had given me for booked test drives and could I bring it in and they would swap it for another. I agreed to take it in, when I arrived I was informed that my headlamp washers were now working. They informed that a technician had just finished working on it, he had disconnected most of the hoses and blown them through, when he put it back together it started working. He confirmed he does not know why!

But it gets better! He told me he had taken the nose off the car to get access to the washers etc. Now all the panel lines/gaps do not line up, also some of the adjacent panels are higher or lower than the nose. I'm going to have to take it back to get his resolved. I feel this is the usual dealer merry-go-round starting, take it in with one fault, get it back with two .....on and on....

All in all a thoroughly dissapointing introduction to Porsche. I love the car, I've always wanted to own one but depending on the outcome of the panel fit issue I'm seriously considering rejecting the vehicle and fighting for my money back. My bubble is truly burst, if I wanted this much hassle I literally could have bought something else at half the price.

Porsche Experience, more like Porsche misery!

 

[Rosss]

I forgot to mention. I asked why the non-functioning headlamp washers was not picked up at the PDI? The didn't have an answer.

 

[GregW]

I feel for you mate.:crying:

Sometimes it's the particular mechanic, sometimes the dealership.
Sometimes it's the particular car, sometimes the brand.

I doubt if it's Porsche, they get very good overall reviews for performance, reliability, and quality (including mine!). That leaves three other options.

That said, the most important part is that the car pleases you. Good luck making the choices that give you the best outcome. At the very least the dealer owes you something reasonably substantial for the trouble they've caused.

 

[718isPorsche#1]

Ross Don't let it get to you. This is very minor compared to something wrong with the engine, transmission, etc.. I bought my 718 Cayman in June 2017 and I have never tried head light washers. Guess I should try em before warranty runs out. I would make them fix the bumper cover. I HOPE YOU HAVE MANY YEARS OF ENJOYMENT WITH IT.

 

[trusted]

Look at the bright side: The washer got fixed. Once they realign the bumper it'll all be fine. That's what warranty is for.

 

[Uz718]

Hi People, sorry for the delay. The dealer decided it was washer fluid and asked me to drive to the dealership ( 84 mile round trip ) for them to have a look. It went in Wednesday, I got a courtesy car, they called Thursday to say it was a faulty pump for the headlight washer. The replacement pump was due in Saturday morning (today) and they would fit it for me to collect the car at lunchtime. I got a call lunchtime to say that the pump was not the fault, they did not know what was wrong and would have to get Porsche Technical involved. No indication as to how long this would be. They then informed that they needed the car they had given me for booked test drives and could I bring it in and they would swap it for another. I agreed to take it in, when I arrived I was informed that my headlamp washers were now working. They informed that a technician had just finished working on it, he had disconnected most of the hoses and blown them through, when he put it back together it started working. He confirmed he does not know why!

But it gets better! He told me he had taken the nose off the car to get access to the washers etc. Now all the panel lines/gaps do not line up, also some of the adjacent panels are higher or lower than the nose. I'm going to have to take it back to get his resolved. I feel this is the usual dealer merry-go-round starting, take it in with one fault, get it back with two .....on and on....

All in all a thoroughly dissapointing introduction to Porsche. I love the car, I've always wanted to own one but depending on the outcome of the panel fit issue I'm seriously considering rejecting the vehicle and fighting for my money back. My bubble is truly burst, if I wanted this much hassle I literally could have bought something else at half the price.

Porsche Experience, more like Porsche misery!

Buddy so sorry to hear of this. I've had similar issues with my previous Porsche's it's annoying but the ownership once its sorted is worth all the inconvenience. Have a quiet diplomatic chat with your centre Principal...

 

[Porsche2018]

All in all a thoroughly dissapointing introduction to Porsche. I love the car, I've always wanted to own one but depending on the outcome of the panel fit issue I'm seriously considering rejecting the vehicle and fighting for my money back. My bubble is truly burst, if I wanted this much hassle I literally could have bought something else at half the price.

Porsche Experience, more like Porsche misery!

I would be equally disappointed and it's unfortunate that you have to now take the the time to see this set straight but I would not accept less than "perfect" or let them buy the car back and allow you to spec out a new Porsche.