Moisture / mist / condensation on windows etc

[Chris_in_the_UK]

Could' be heater matrix related.

 

[uknick]

I've had a 2008 model since 2008 and never heard this reported before. In your other thread you mentioned RSJ were helpful. Why not ask them to see if they had any history of a serious condensation problem.

 

[Rikki]

Sorry to bombard with questions but I have just one more (for the time being).

The Cayman I bought has a strange residue on the inside of the windows and also on the plastic engine cover parts (at the top end, not down nearer the hatch for the oil and coolant). It appears to have caused the metal luggage rings to start to rust too.

(Quarter glass image is my finger smearing down the glass to clear the residue)

Just wondering if anyone has any ideas on this one and if its common?

Ive checked the oil and coolant filler necks for HG signs and everything seems ok there, no oily vapour etc.

Many thanks

Rikki

 

[Buddy]

Had mine since 2007 and never even heard of this before, it would seem that there is a long standing damp problem, as suggested first check for heater matrix but that would have dropped the coolant level. Then check door and glass seals, check carpets and as the evidence you've shown seems to be in the rear be very critical around the rear hatch and glass area.

 

[Motorhead]

From what you say Rikki, I gather that the problem is confined to the rear hatch area, so I'd check that the seals are fully intact there and not leaking at some point. Some indication of when the condensation builds-up would be helpful: during/after a drive, overnight after heavy rain, etc. Since the luggage rings are actually rusting, I would suspect that this has been a fairly long-term problem. Other points: Are the carpets - particularly those in the rear - completely dry? Do you run with the recirculation on? If you run the with a/c on all the time, this will dry the air. Is the a/c working properly? See if you can find out if the heater matrix been replaced at some time. Condensation is only caused by water getting inside the car somehow, it's just a matter of finding where. Not always a simple task I'm afraid. Jeff

 

[Rikki]

ORIGINAL: Chris_in_the_UK Could' be heater matrix related.

Hi there, Ive not smelled any coolant inside the car and checking the level its sitting just over the max reading so dont think its that fortunately.

 

[Chris_in_the_UK]

That's probably good news! As others have said, there is a leak somewhere which is causing this. I still think that due to the residue there might be some issue with the cooling system but if the level is static then perhaps not. I would have a real good feel around all the carpets etc. including the well under each seat to see if there is any water. Good luck!.

 

[Buddy]

As Chris says check the wells under the seats, if there is water there it can lead to other problems since Porsche are in the habt of positioning ECU's etc there. I have known it on other cars where water has actually crossed a hatch seal underneath so inspect the area below the seal all around for any water trails and see if you can get a look at someone else's Cayman for seal position type and where any joint may be positioned. If it covers the edge of the trim it may actually have tracked underneath the trim panels and so may not be easily evident.

 

[Rikki]

Hi again, I've been doing a bit of Googling and the drain paths / pipes seem to get mentioned a fair bit on the Cayman and Boxster both for rain / washing and AC condensation. I've checked all the carpets everywhere and under the seat but everything is dry. What I also noticed was if I start the car in the morning and have the blowers and AC on the bottom of the windscreen will start to condensate right away, even if it was dry before I turned the car on. Where are these drain pipes located so I can investigate this Many thanks, Rikki

 

[Buddy]

Hi Rikki, I find that my windows mist up almost as soon as I get in on a cold day but the screen demister is effective very quickly. Good to hear that your carpets are dry but very mysterious how come the luggage rings are rusting and the evidence of moisture. Seemingly without the presence of water. I'd say to remove the rear carpets and check if there are any signs of water under there and within the rear wings to see if it is somehow getting from the hatch on previous Porsches the main culprits were the drains from the sunroof, an option not available in the Caymans. Otherwise, clean the rings to remove the rust, clean away any sign of water marking maybe leave some paper under the hatch to see if it gets damp.