The dealer checked my CS for the first time for some issues one of which is poor A/C performance. A/C will (often times) start out warm (59 Deg F taken at the center vent) and stay there unless I fiddle with the controls which will usually make it cool down...although not cold enough (only 41 deg F whether 70 or 100 deg outside). Sometimes it’ll warm up while driving but again if I fiddle with the controls it’ll cool back to 41 deg F. It’s also warmed up while waiting at a red light but cooled back down once on the way again. Lastly, if I leave the A/C controls set to “Recirculate”, it'll maintain this setting whenever I make a stop somewhere and return shortly thereafter. However, if left overnight, it'll reset back to “Outside Air”. Don't know if this control setting memory is a problem or a feature. I’ve read the other thread about the A/C warming up, but has anyone had a problem like mine or have any ideas? The dealer said he found nothing wrong. I guess the next step would be to have the regional tech look into this??
'First Porsche' Man
It's very typical for Recirculate to turn off once the system has been turned off. Everyone believes that recirc air is bad for you. In my A4, I always turn recirc on when I get in the car. In my Cayman, I don't because the filtering system seems to do a great job of keeping out the nasty smells.
Thanks. I did not realize the CS has a filtering system. My other (cheap)cars have no filters at all. Guess I'll use the 'Fresh Air' setting now.
'First Porsche' Man
I don't know how good the filtering system is, I just know that it blows away my A4's system. The other issues you mention don't sound like the correct behavior. Did you get the auto-climate control option?
Is that stock or Auto Climate Control?
My car had a bad O ring joint in the AC system. The result was very little cooling at idle and ok cooling at higher RPM. They fixed the o ring and added freon, after that, the car's AC is great. I always have it in recirculate because its plenty hot here, 90 to 95.
For those of us without the Auto Climate Control, can we swap in the active carbon filter to the regular system?
It's Stock...no ACC.
Just got it back from the shop. No Problems found! They told me the regional tech will be there in 2 months. I'll be sure totake it to him for this and a couple other items. If he blows me off too what's the next step. Do I try to contact Porsche somehow?
'First Porsche' Man
WTF? You have to wait 2 months for a "regional tech" Did they experience the problem in the shop?
Apparently it behaved ok when they gave it the couple minute test...most likely in the shop or parking lot. It appeared to me that they didn't spend much time on this or any of the problems listed short of plugging in the computer and if the computer was not programmed to note this type of problem...well...then it just doesn't exist...after all, the computer knows all doesn't it! If they tested it by driving it (I'd be surprised)they would have tested it the same as I've seen them test other things including the test drive prior to delivery...that is...they drive it around the block which is less than a mile (salesman told me the predelivery test drives consist of the 6.5 mile route he took me on whenwe did the initial test drive of the CS prior to placing my order for one). Anyway, I was told to bring it right in next time it misbehaves, while it's misbehaving,so they can check some readings. I think whileI wait the 2 months for the regional tech I may check with another dealership up North about 45 minutes (maybe I should have purchased it there)...perhaps they may do some troubleshooting. Speaking of the regional tech, he was in their shop when I dropped it off on Tuesday. Guess it'd be too much to ask to have it checked out the same day asmy appointmentso the regional tech could address the issue while he was there. Sorry for venting a bit but I'm just slightly disappointed in the lack of service for this issue.
Update on this issue...talked to the same Service Writer one more time about this. He had a Tech take a ride with me to personally witness the problem (I got the impression they wouldn't believe a customer was telling the truth and a problem truly existed when their almighty computer said all was well). I had my Digital Thermometer hooked up to capture the min/max temps and the Tech witnessed exactly what I had explained (although the temperature swing was just a bit less on this drive). To make a long story short, he did NO troubleshooting or even attempted to think about what could cause this misbehavior and basically said that Porsche A/C's do not perform as well as other cars and added that Porsche's didn't even have A/C available until the late 80's. I thought it was nothing but BS to have this Tech ride along, witness the problem and then make off like there is no problem and try to blame it on Porsche A/C design. That really made me irritated. First off, they didn't believe me that this issue even existed (which is an insult) and secondly, this Tech witnessed the problem and not only sat on his hands but then tried to say that Porsche A/C's weren't worth a crap. I got a hold of my Salesman (a great guy, really nice, who use to be a Porsche mechanic for many years) and he took a ride with me. He witnessed the problem, made some additional notes that I had not included when I described the problem (namely the cycle time that this occurs), and then got with my service writer and told him there is a problem just as I described, gave him the same details I originally gave him plus the cycle times & then gave him three possible problems that could cause this misbehavior. The service writer then scheduled to take the car back next Tuesday (1 week wait) to have this addressed. I'll keep you updated on what is found. Personally I think there is a small Freon leak resulting in low Freon which causes the low pressure switch to cycle the compressor off when the engine is at cruise speed resulting in an increase in air temperature, around 18 deg. Once the compressor is off the pressure goes back up in about 30 seconds so the compressor kicks back on for about 4 min's and the cycle continues. My guess is the Freon is not real low as the low pressurenever trips the low pressure switch when the engine is at idle. I don’t believe it’s a blendor (or whatever you call it) problem since anytime the heater is turned on, just a bit, you get the smell right away.
Since this is my first Porsche, I’d like to ask the list: is it common practice for Porsche service to give the customer the impression that they are full of crap when they say there is a problem and then to have a Tech ride along, do nothing, and try to pacify them with BS?
'First Porsche' Man
Update/Resolution to this issue...I got my car back and tested it out this week and there was a tremendous improvement. Seems my guess was right./fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/thumbsup.gif They found a tiny leak on the high pressure hose where it attaches to the receiver dryer. Seems the fitting on the hose was goofed up as the hose needed to be replaced. The unit still cycles some, but not as often, or as long, and the temp swing is not nearly as much. A tremendous improvement!! My thanks went out the mySalesman/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/thanks.gif (a great guy, really nice, who use to be a Porsche mechanic extraordinairefor many years) and a complement for my saleman to the Porsche Dealership Manager. It was a tough road to go but now I'm a happy camper once again. /fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/MWPX/dance.gif
'First Porsche' Man
Edited by - Cayman_S on 10/15/2006 11:01:50 AM
