Now that I have my new "home," an Arctic Fox 25S travel trailer, I'm experiencing several problems.

First, on the first day on the Alcan, my right rear climate control A/C malfunctioned. Eventually on day four of my long road trip, my whole A/C went out!

There was a loud sound inside the dash and the front air flow was diminish signigicantly while there was nothing cold coming out--even in the rear climate system--which actually had decent air output.

Since then (1) the A/C starts OK but then goes to a loud fan (?) roar from inside the dash and (2) there is NO Cooling!

Just before leaving I had the aluminum coolant pipes update kit installed.

Now, she runs above the 3/4ths hash mark on water temperature when towing my new travel trailer--especially up gades.

Then there is my fuel consumption! I came in at 8.1 MPG when I drove into Boise.

Anyway, even without the trailer, the water temperature climbs unacceptably and it's never gone that high even during autocross.

I am waiting for my Monday appt with Lyle Pearson. While she's still under CPO warranty, that expires the end of THIS MONTH.

Any ideas and tips shall be appreciated!

One thing I am considering is getting rid of most of my clothing and all sorts of things in order to reduce weight. The trailer weights ~5,340 lbs unloaded.

When I came up the Alcan in the fall of 2009 with an overloaded 6X12 U-Haul trailer, there were times when I saw 15.7 MPG and there was no heat problem (Indeed, it was cold right after the first snow fall--A trip thru hell! )

Thanks in advance

 

Well sounds like two different problems entirely. The a/c should not affect the coolant temp that drastically. The thing that is strange is the vehicle is still heating without the trailer on, did they replace the thermostat while they were in there? I have on occasion ran into heating issues from problems with build-up in between the a/c condensor and radiator and various coolers (pressure washing can't get this out and if your in remote areas all sorts of rubbish can collect in there). Are your cooling fans both operational? I believe one comes on directly as a result of the a/c being on???

As far as the trailer weight, 5300 lbs is within the towing capacity by quite a margin, dropping the water out of the trailer is by far the best weight reduction, clothes don't weigh that much... MPG, can be all over depending on vehicle speed, rpm's and wind conditions, 8 MPG sounds a bit harsh though! Coils and plugs fairly new? 25 ft trailer can be like pulling a brick lol. Hopefully you get it sorted out


P.s. I would invest in a trans cooler if you intend to pull this trailer frequently or long distances, much easier on the transmission!

 

I've tried to find a transmission cooler but my tech and the PCA club specialist said they knew of no solutions and a cooler is not necessary.

Nevertheless, I'd try one if I could find one.

Indeed, it seems like there are several problems.

 

I have read 3 of your most recent threads, where one point stands out to me- your CTT should not be overheating (even while towing an acceptable load).

The mere fact that you are towing within factory recommended levels, yet experiencing overheating should be a CLEAR indication that this is a symptom of something larger.

I would make a stink to your local Service Manager for them to isolate the issue and rectify it immediately.

Until then, I think there is little value in trying to find a "work-around" (e.g. tranny cooler, larger fan, etc) until you get this issue resolved.

I think there is an excellent chance that once you figure out the core issue, all will be well. Except for the extended mirror question atleast.

Please keep up posted.

 

On a positive note, I think I have found a solution for extended mirrors. I'll report that back after I've tried and tested them.

The dealer ordered a blower for the A/C and said that until that was replaced he could not tell what else was wrong if anything with the A/C.

However, on the overheating, there were no error codes to help them. I suggested in might be a stuck thermostat and/or a faulty heat sensor that controls the fan to the motor. His reply was he wanted to drive it in the heat of the day.

Sadly, at the end of this month so ends my CPO warranty. It's nice having a loaner (damned Mercedes--at least it's an E class) while it's in the shop but I miss my car and I fear they may not get this sorted out in a timely fashion under CPO warranty so I can avoid the bill.

I did have the aluminum pipe upgrade done recently but we did not replace the two "T" joints in the back of the cooling system. Labor to do that is just shy of $800. However, my pleastic cooling pipes atop the V8 showed signs of significant errosion. I paid to have this done rather than risk them breaking while I was on the Alcan Highway. They did not fail.

 

BTW, this brand of trailer is noted for two things: They last forever (which I researched and knew) and they tow like a brick. I may add one of those larger aerodynamic Thule boxes atop my Cayenne in order to break the air for that sail behind me and increase my MGP.

8.1 MPG on the passes coming to Boise. Saw 13.7 MPG on the flats. I was expecting 15+ MPG and going to drive the country. Historically gas has always been more (~$.65) in Alaska. So, I expected gas to be getting close to $3/gal here. BUT I paid more for gas in Canada and in the states than I did when I left Alaska!

This makes no sense. However, food prices on the shelf in Boise have gone up. Still not as expensive as Alaska but darned close to it. Seems the states are experiencing more inflation that Alaska.

 

Regarding the 8 MPG, there is no way for us to deem that unacceptable. Actually I think its totally acceptable. Your trailer is doubling the load on the engine and who knows what your driving style is. Increased load increases engine temperature. A cooling system with bad components, like a thermostat, may be able to handle the heat without a load but makes it more noticeable.

 

I just got a call from the service manager at Lyle Pearson Porsche of Boise and I am not a happy camper!



First, my car should be ready tomorrow morning. That's great news.

They got my rear window replaced. Wonderful.

They replaced the A/C blower but it's still not cooling well so they are charging the A/C system. That's fine.

But, they have no diagnosis for the overheating!

They won't even try a new thermostat because the engine hasn't set any codes.

Now, if there's a Porsche mechanic out there, please chime in:

What should I do?

 

This dealership sounds shady. Its always best to charge the system first! It costs them a maybe a few dollars worth of refrigerant to fill up the system. I can't believe they skipped this and went right in for the fan replacement. I hope you didn't have to pay for that. Ask for a reading of the coolant temp gage? If it aligns with the dashboard gage then I vote its your thermostat. Have you ever got overheating warning lights?

 

The A/C failed and the blower was howling inside the dash. He said that after replacing the blower, they'd find out what else was wrong with the A/C.

I'm betting thermostat as well--but he claims that would throw a code.

 

PS

No, I've never had an overheating warning light. However, on several occasions the radiator water temperature hit and exceed the 3/4's mark. Usually it is at 50% or top dead center, 12:00.

However, the oil temperature stayed steady at the middle mark.

 

I have decided to open a formal complaint with PCNA:

1. I replaced failing cooling pipes at my expense.

2. The A/C went out in two stages during my trip down the Alcan and the dealership has made repairs but is still not satisfied with how it is cooling.

3. The dealership failed to diagnose and repair to sove the overheating problems! To rely upon computers (when everything is subject to failure) and to fail to take reasonable steps to prevent failure means the Porsche is not standing behind their cars and their owners!

I will call PCNA tomorrow.

Your suggestions shall be appreciated.

 

I think your argument has to be that PCNA hasn't provided the contracted services as per the CPO agreement. I'd suggest you sit down and WRITE to them (a phone call they undoubtably record - do you?), send it registered mail, with a registered mail copy to yourself (which you don't open..)

Since you're at the end of the warranty, you want proof that they were notified in a timely manner that there are unresolved problems with the vehicle.

 

the truck is not overheating ..but the temp rises above normal....bottomline..its still normal..(bec. you're towing)... and as far as a/c..thats diff. problem..


as far as the oil...the engine has more oil capacity comparing it to other v8's
my.0.02 cents...

 

NO. It is not normal!

Previously, I towed a heavily loaded U-haul from Arizona to Alaska and the radiator temperature NEVER moved. That was 5,500 miles at speeds from 50 to 90 MPH.

I have autocrossed my car many times and even then when sitting still after a run and while waiting for my next run the radiator water temp moved slightly up and dropped right to mid point.

Definitely, she is not running as she has and something is wrong and I am afraid something really disasterous might occur.

And I towed a U-Haul down the Alcan early this month and was driving hard. Anchorage to Kalispell in four days. Believe me, I was hauling.

She did fine--even when the turbos were spooled up for half a day!

But, I wanted to save gas and experiment, so I slowed down. Except in a *special* part of the Alcan which I shall not mention. Two and a half hours of the most blissful Porsche driving in the world!

Even in a Cayenne towing, it is irresistable!

The heating problems began on day four when I was in Calgary. The A/C went out first. Noted by a howling in the cowling.

Since then the engine radiator temps have hit the second notch and exceeded it twice!

That's scarey.

With >96,000 miles on her, I think I know my car and how she runs.

(I hope. )