2013 Car with condensation in Front Lamps

[Tony M]

We have just taken delivery of a Cayenne Diesel and when collecting it from the showroom with 14 miles on the clock I noticed water staining on the inside of the headlamp glass and asked' Is this normal ?

The salesman said he would 'Get back to me with an answer and this is what the OPC e mailed


The air inside the headlamp naturally has moisture in it, as it heats up (either from the lamp being on or heat from the engine) and as the exterior temperature is low the moisture condensates when it hits the cold glass and becomes the visible water droplets. The Cayenne headlamp is not a sealed unit it has a venting system to allow for the expansion/contraction of air pressure caused by varying operating temperatures; this system will eventually dry any excess moisture in the lamp, it can take some time during periods of excessive moisture in the atmosphere.


Comments please, to see if you think the same way as me !

 

[chrishak]

I'd suggest that your headlamps are illegal as the staining / moisture will difuse the beam causing glare for oncomming drivers. No ammount of self-levelling will compensate for that.

Moisture in headlamps is an MOT fail, I believe.

Sounds like OPC flannel to me...

 

[Mark Elder]

It does read like a long version of "they all do that", but I think it's true because even my "vintage" headlights have a ventilation system (hose connected at back of lamp unit that leads down to one of the air intakes) designed to flush air through the unit to remove condensation.

So you can see that if the car has been sitting on a ship/in transit for a week or two during cold weather and not driven more than few yards it could easily build up to visible moisture. You would think the winter pre delivery check procedure would include blowing it out.

 

[235tonyw]

Hi Tony,

If you are still not sure try speaking to RPM at Long Marston WWW.rpmtechnik.co.uk they are very good Porsche independents tel & ask for Ollie if he doesn't know I'm sure he will find out? We visited them last Oct on a 968 register day I was totally impressed by them & having just been on their web site they have a 3Ltr diesel model for sale so I would think they are up on Cayenne's!

I hope your car turns out to be everything you were looking for!

Regards

Tony W.

 

[Spider1V]

As a member has already pointed out, the water moisture will cause staining over time and it will effect the quality of the light at a later date. If its a new car, I don't see why they just don't pop out the unit and replace it? I think a brand new car, should be that - faultless and brand new , after all thats why you want a new car?


Spider1V

 

[tiskev]

Tony I had that from day one with my S petrol.
It is a nightmare do not take it to any altitude ie say the alps
At night you wont see a thing..
I took mine back to OPC the first time it did it and they said they had fixed it
Imagine my disappointment when i had to take the headlight out at one time and
Found they had sealed them all up with Bostic or similar .
They still mist up and i have never taken it back again.
It seems in todays world it if you cant plug it in and get a machine to tell you
whats wrong They cant fix it !

As to comments Tony i would say it is probably a load of Bosh !
Imam surprised you did not have it on your others

 

[pwebb]

Hi Tony
Had the same issue with my last V8 and booked it in. Lo and behold the condensation disappeared before the due date and am not aware that it ever returned. Our Diesel seems ok. However if it persists in your case, I'm sure they'll understand you're a valued customer [] and do the right thing...