Headlight Condensation!

[Andy S]

Just noticed this morning that I have condensation in both front headlights, wIth identical areas as per picture. Certainly not what I expect to see, and will be getting looked at by Dealer, but wondering if this is a one off, or have others witnessed similar!

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[pEAkfrEAk]

It's normal under certain weather conditions. Nothing to worry about.

 

[Dee]

It's normal under certain weather conditions. Nothing to worry about.

Absolutely not!!
Sealed headlight units should be free of condensation.
Something is defenately leaking.

 

[kempez]

Can you get a picture with the headlight cleaned?
Most of the high end headlights are designed to be a sealed unit inside the unit itself, but the external protection has holes in it to drain water/condensation.

 

[pEAkfrEAk]

Absolutely not.
Sealed headlight units should be free of condensation.
Something is defenately leaking.

Nope, there is nothing leaking. Due to the ventilation holes in the headlight it's not possible to have it condensation free. Every modern LED headlight I know has this issue under certain weather conditions.

 

[Dee]

It seems the headlight doesn't fit properly in the fender or is that the camera angle?

 

[Andy S]

It seems the headlight doesn't fit properly in the fender or is that the camera angle?

Camera angle/Refection makes it look strange! - Correctly fitted, just wrong with amount of condensation - Never had it on any other car that I've owned, apart from a 14-year old Alfa, and that was on rear light cluster..

 

[Andy S]

Can you get a picture with the headlight cleaned?
Most of the high end headlights are designed to be a sealed unit inside the unit itself, but the external protection has holes in it to drain water/condensation.

So not a fully sealed unit then? I don't understand the external protection reference in your comment - Sorry!

 

[kempez]

So not a fully sealed unit then? I don't understand the external protection reference in your comment - Sorry!

I've not got my Taycan, but looking at the design of the lights, it looks like the LED units are sealed, but the plastic front is not sealed. My C63 had a similar design. The large front plastic piece is essentially protection for the light units themselves. The inside will get misty when you wash it or it's wet, but it has drainage and ventilation, so this will clear.

 

[W1NGE]

Pe

Just noticed this morning that I have condensation in both front headlights, wIth identical areas as per picture. Certainly not what I expect to see, and will be getting looked at by Dealer, but wondering if this is a one off, or have others witnessed similar!

Perfectly normal and happens on all Porsches in my experience. There are vents in the headlight unit to manage.

 

[Pinballplanet]

Just noticed this morning that I have condensation in both front headlights, wIth identical areas as per picture. Certainly not what I expect to see, and will be getting looked at by Dealer, but wondering if this is a one off, or have others witnessed similar!

I noticed the same as soon as I brought my car home last week - it was a rainy day - they did clear later on. Glad to hear that this is normal for this car.

 

[B61]

Absolutely not!!
Sealed headlight units should be free of condensation.
Something is defenately leaking.

+1
With such headlights, it’s not possible to make annual registration, ie. Technical review.

 

[TXSchnee]

LED lights do not produce enough heat to dry out the condensation. My Cayenne with Matrix lights looks the same when rainy, so does my BMW. This is completely normal, and just affecting the front plastic cover, not the lights themselves.

 

[MConte05]

I used to design automotive LED headlights for a living, now design bike lights for my company, but condensation like this is perfectly normal. As another poster already said, the headlights have vent holes often covered by patches of GoreTex (https://www.gore.com/products/gore-automotive-vents-for-exterior-lighting)) because when you have large volumes of air, things have to equalize or else end up with prolonged moisture.

When there is a big differential of temperature or pressure, condensation will form. The vents are there to allow things to equalize and minimize the formation of moisture.

Lots of CFD and analysis goes into how to reduce condensation, but it'll never be 100% eliminated.

 

[Dee]

I used to design automotive LED headlights for a living, now design bike lights for my company, but condensation like this is perfectly normal. As another poster already said, the headlights have vent holes often covered by patches of GoreTex (https://www.gore.com/products/gore-automotive-vents-for-exterior-lighting)) because when you have large volumes of air, things have to equalize or else end up with prolonged moisture.

When there is a big differential of temperature or pressure, condensation will form. The vents are there to allow things to equalize and minimize the formation of moisture.

Lots of CFD and analysis goes into how to reduce condensation, but it'll never be 100% eliminated.

Thank you! ??

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