As a proud Porsche owner, you expect your vehicle to show off its luxury, enhanced performance, and durability every time you take it for a spin. Unfortunately, just as with any other type of car, your Porsche is susceptible to developing issues in need of repair. One of the most common Porsche problems is a failing pressure accumulator. Since the pressure accumulator is a significant part of your vehicle’s overall function and performance, it’s important to know when it’s failing and when it needs to be repaired or replaced.
In this article, we will discuss the basic function of the pressure accumulator, signs that it’s failing, and what you can do to fix it.
What is the pressure accumulator?
The pressure accumulator in your Porsche is important because it plays a necessary role in several different systems within your Porsche, including the fuel system, air conditioning system, transmission functions, and brake systems. These systems all have something in common: they require hydraulic fluid to perform properly. This is where the pressure accumulator comes into play. The pressure accumulator is responsible for storing pressure from the hydraulic fluid and then releasing that pressure into the above-mentioned systems when they need to utilize any extra power. This occurs, for instance, whenever you accelerate faster or brake harder than normal.
Because the pressure accumulator is made up of so many parts including valves, pumps, seals, pistons, and hydraulic fluid lines, there are a lot of different components that could malfunction and cause your pressure accumulator to fail.
Signs of a Failing Pressure Accumulator
Keeping an eye out for any issues with your Porsche is significant to the overall maintenance and care of your vehicle. Because several different systems rely on the pressure accumulator in order to function properly, there are many different symptoms that you can look for to diagnose whether your Porsche has a failing pressure accumulator. These are some of the most common signs:
Check engine light
A lot of times when your Porsche is experiencing pressure accumulator failure, the dashboard will light up to let you know that something is wrong. If your check engine light, brake light, or power steering light come on, then you may have an issue with the pressure accumulator.
Problems with suspension
The suspension in your car needs the hydraulic pressure produced by the pressure accumulator in order for its shock absorbers to reduce the impact of rough road conditions. If the pressure accumulator is failing, then the suspension won’t function properly. You will notice that your car is not absorbing the shock of potholes and bumps as well as it used to.
Poor air conditioning
Since the pressure accumulator works directly with the air conditioning system in your vehicle, if the pressure accumulator malfunctions, the air conditioning probably will as well. If you notice that your air conditioning isn’t as cool as it normally is, this could be because it’s not receiving enough fluid pressure due to a failing pressure accumulator.
Brake or clutch issues
Changes in the way your brake or clutch feels is never a good thing. It should be diagnosed and repaired as soon as possible. One of the reasons why you might notice that the brake or clutch is harder to press down than normal is because your Porsche is having issues with its pressure accumulator.
We Will Help
If such an important part of your Porsche’s performance is failing, such as the pressure accumulator, then it is vital to your vehicle’s continued function that you have the problem diagnosed and resolved before permanent damage is caused.
At Germany’s Best Inc., our technicians specialize in German-made vehicles, including your Porsche. We are trained to diagnose your failing pressure accumulator and repair it so that you can drive with peace of mind. We are conveniently located for drivers in and around Berkeley, Emeryville, Piedmont, and Oakland, CA. We understand the special care your Porsche requires, and we work hard to provide high-quality, trustworthy service. So whether your pressure accumulator is failing or your vehicle is experiencing a different issue, Germany’s Best Inc. is here to help you. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us today.
* Porsche Cayman image credit goes to: SusanaValera.