Cayenne AC Failure: Dealer vs. Independent Fix Dilemma

Had the same problem with my 2015 Porsche Macan S Diesel last summer. AC started blowing warm air, then stopped working altogether. Turned out it wasn't just the control valve, had a refrigerant leak from a cracked condenser and a failed compressor. Took it to the dealer after my regular mechanic couldn't properly diagnose it. They found the AC lines were corroded where they connect to the compressor, causing the refrigerant to leak. It was pretty serious since moisture had gotten into the system and damaged multiple components. They had to replace the compressor, condenser, and several lines, plus flush the entire system. The whole repair took about 3 days, but it's been working perfectly since then. With Porsche AC systems, I'd really recommend going to someone who specializes in them, they're quite complex compared to regular cars. If you're getting warm air, it definitely needs proper diagnosis before it gets worse.

Hey, thanks for sharing that info! I had something similar happen and ended up going to the dealer too. Just curious, do you remember roughly how much the whole repair set you back? Also, has everything been running smoothly since then, or have you noticed any other issues pop up? My AC's working great now but I'm keeping an eye on it just in case.

Hey there! Yeah, after having that AC drama with my Macan S last summer and getting it checked out, it turned out the main culprit was just that defective control valve, not nearly as bad as I initially feared! The fix ended up costing me 495€, which honestly wasn't as painful as I expected given it's a Porsche we're talking about. I'm happy to report everything's been running like a dream since then. The AC's been blowing nice and cold, no funny business at all. Totally different from when it was just pushing out that warm air before! I'm so glad I bit the bullet and took it to the dealer, sometimes you just need someone who really knows these cars inside and out. Definitely keep an eye on yours, but if they fixed it properly (which it sounds like they did), you should be good to go. These Porsche AC systems can be a bit finicky, but once they're sorted, they usually stay that way. Just make sure you run the AC regularly, even in winter, helps keep everything in good shape!

Thanks so much for the detailed response! Yeah, I finally got my AC sorted out at the dealer last week. The repair wasn't too bad, ended up being a faulty control valve and a minor refrigerant leak. Total bill came to around 600€, which wasn't great but definitely better than I expected for a Porsche repair! Funny how we both had similar experiences with regular mechanics versus the dealer. My local guy couldn't figure it out either, kept trying basic fixes that didn't work. The dealer's diagnostic equipment picked up the problem right away. They fixed it in about a day and a half, and now my AC's blasting cold air like new. Really appreciate everyone's input on this. Think I'll stick with the dealer for these kinds of issues from now on, sometimes it's worth paying a bit more to get it done right the first time. Thanks again for all the help!