Panamera A/C Noise

[BJT1Y]

Looking for some advice and/or opinion please.

My 2014 Panamera is making what I can only describe as a whooshing/air travelling through pipe work type noise in the cabin.

This appears to be coming from behind the front of the dash where the centre vent is located. Also, The air con isn’t very cool.

The noise is only present when the centre console air con switch is on.

Recent service in December mentioned air con working fine but can’t recall if it was reducing the temp adequately given the time of year.

So, do you think this is a simple re-gas or a condenser issue? Or anything else?

Car is booked into OPC next week for diagnosis and want to make sure I am prepared for the diagnosis even though I have a Porsche warranty....

All advice/opinion on this topic welcome, Cheers

[WG]

I had the same issue on a 996 Turbo some years ago. OPC Re-gassed (free) and added dye which would show up any leaks. This showed that both condensers were rotten (common problem on 996). Two new condensers subsequently fitted - not cheap I'm afraid.

[BJT1Y]

Thanks for the reply.

So it seems if not a simple re-gas I’m in the territory of faulty parts (warranty) versus wear and tear (I.e. stone chip damage to condenser, not warranty)...assuming that’s how the warranty works...

[WG]

I don't want to be a doom merchant but at the time I had my issues, radiators/condensors were excluded from Porsche extended warranty ( car was 6 years old I think) . Not of concern to you, but shortly afterwards I also had to have all three cooling radiators replaced ! I am not sure about the cooling system on the Panamera but if the AC Condensors are situated in front of the radiators as per 996 then it might be wise to have them checked as well. Good luck.

Edited by WG on Monday 12th March 21:33

[BJT1Y]

Thanks. I hope a (just about) 4 year old car will not have corroded condensers but who knows how much muck is beyond the accessible vents.

Here’s hoping it’s just a re-has however I suspect I’m in for a replacement part which isn’t covered by the used car warranty.

I’ll update the thread with the outcome. Thanks again for your input.

[EGTE]

Thanks for reminding me: I need to get the front bumper off my Panny, clean out the rads/condensers and fit some grills.

[Mosdef]

I had this on my 2012 Panamera and oddly, have just had a similar episode on my 2014 model, but this has stopped happening as quickly as it started.

On my previous car, the noise only occurred when the engine was running, so stopped in traffic when start/stop was activated. The noise rose with revs and in the end was repaired by Porsche when the car was 4 years old, under the AUC warranty.

Most recently, I got the whooshing sound you describe but it lasted for about an hour last Friday afternoon and has not returned since. Maybe there was some dirt in it but I won't be rushing to get it checked out.

[BJT1Y]

Mosdef said:

I had this on my 2012 Panamera and oddly, have just had a similar episode on my 2014 model, but this has stopped happening as quickly as it started.

On my previous car, the noise only occurred when the engine was running, so stopped in traffic when start/stop was activated. The noise rose with revs and in the end was repaired by Porsche when the car was 4 years old, under the AUC warranty.

Thanks for the input. The second paragraph above is exactly what is happening with mine. Your post has made me realise the stopping with start stop and louder with revs. Can you recall the actual diagnosis and parts replaced under warranty? Would be good to at least have an informed chat with a technician before the car goes in to OPC. Cheers

[WG]

The fact that it stops when engine stops is no surprise as ac compressor is driven by belt from engine

[George Smiley]

is it a whoosh or more like a whine

[BJT1Y]

George Smiley said:

is it a whoosh or more like a whine

A whoosh, definitely not a whine. Stops when turn engine off or start/stop activated. Stops when turn a/c off. Increases with revs, goes away/becomes less audible above say 25-30mph.

Seen other threads on other sites such as rennlist etc refer to it as a hiss. Maybe that is more descriptive...

What’s your thoughts?

[Mosdef]

BJT1Y said:

Thanks for the input. The second paragraph above is exactly what is happening with mine. Your post has made me realise the stopping with start stop and louder with revs. Can you recall the actual diagnosis and parts replaced under warranty? Would be good to at least have an informed chat with a technician before the car goes in to OPC. Cheers

Very happy to help.

Mine was diagnosed as a faulty compressor I think. Apparently quite an expensive item but the Porsche warranty covered it without any niggles.

[George Smiley]

Sounds (sorry!) Different to mine.

I noticed what sounds like a transmission whine which disappesrs with a/c off or center vents closed. Im hyper sensitive to noises in cars.

On mine its just a dragging vent fan on the passenger side. If youve ever heard a dry bearing in a pc cooling fan. The noise is not intrusive and passengers dont notice.

Porsche took a look, if it changes will just pull it out and try greasing the bearing

[anonymous-user]

My bet would be compressor. Classic symptoms caused by low refrigerant. Top up and noise will go if that’s the problem, but add dye as you probably have a leak somewhere.

[BJT1Y]

Thanks for all the comments and opinions guys. Car goes in today so will see what the diagnosis is.

[BJT1Y]

So the OPC have confirmed I need a new A/C Condensor. It’s leaking, evidenced by a damp patch that wasn’t visible to me but outlined on the video they have sent.

The good news is that the hole is too high to be stone damage, so warranty is covering the costs (estimated by OPC to have been in the region of £800 inc parts and labour inc re gas).

So, warranty to the rescue.....and a good contribution toward paying for itself given the above. I will definitely be renewing when the time comes as it only takes a couple of these occurances inside 2yrs to make it worthwhile.

Thanks for all the input. Helped with considering the possible outcomes.

[Mosdef]

Great result! I'm with you, I wouldn't run one of these without a warranty.