Solution for Porsche headlight water ingress?

[ChickenWire]

Hi All!

Are there any solutions for the water condensation/accumulation issue on Cayenne headlights. One of mine is starting to collect droplets which just looks a bit naff. Other than getting a whole new unit, is there a fix (inc. bodge/hack!) that actually works?

The other headlight is 'fine' and just gets some light condensation rather than actual droplets forming - assume this is 'normal behaviour' from whats documented online.

I remember on an older FFRR TDV8 they used to do this with rear lights and you would drill a small hole in the bottom corner of the cluster and this would sort it out. Hoping not to have to do that!

Thanks.
CW

[Deviation]

You can have it dismantled, cleaned and resealed :-) Should be a good chunk cheaper.

[Cpt Stirling]

In my experience, short answer, no. My nearside front light had slight condensation, gradually got worse over time until droplets formed. I tried all the know potential fixes, including sealing with silicone, drying out with a hair dryer, inserting those moisture absorber bags. None of them worked long term. In the end i bought a new headlight unit (not cheap!) and it still condensates on the lens surface, although disappears after a few hours.
A couple of things that are noteworthy. They are not sealed units, There is a filtered ‘drain’ in the plastic housing, at least on the 958 there is. It didn’t exhibit said symptoms in the warmer months so I conclude the temp difference is a significant factor. I don’t use the car regularly so again, lots of time sitting on the drive unused.
I did get a bit obsessed with it and noted many other Porsches, of all recent models showing the same.
Bit of a rubbish design in my opinion. As you say, it looks awful.

[scrounger73]

Porsche have some guidelines for what they deem acceptable and not. If your car is still under warranty then I'd have them take a look.

[David W.]

Extended warrantee covered mine. I sent pics but they still needed it in to access before they ordered new unit. Bit of a PITA as things always take days instead of hours but given replacement cost worth it I guess.

[Jeremy-75qq8]

They ( like all of these types of light ) can't be sealed due to changing atmospheric pressure due to weather and driving up a mountain.

Aston lights had this for the rears. The solution was open them , add a desiccant and use a vacuum cleaner to draw through dry air and then put in the airing cupboard for a few days then seal them ( which of course contradicts para 1 above !