Look out for stones

Hymee · 10-06-2003, 09:31 PM

I went for a long drive on the weekend. All on sealed roads. My air-con stopped working at some stage. I had it checked today, and the condensor (looks like the radiator) is leaking badly. Initial dealer assesment is that this was caused by a stone/rock, and such damage is not covered under warranty

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Hymee · 10-06-2003, 09:33 PM

I hope I don't get a stone through the engine oil cooler, and the engine lunches itself. I will have to pay for that too. At least it only has 3 moving parts...

sco · 10-06-2003, 10:29 PM

Hymee,

Where is the condenser in the engine bay? Have you been able to inspect the damage yourself?

sco

Hymee · 10-06-2003, 10:58 PM

If you look under the bumper, it is what looks like the radiator. Right at the bottom of it, about 10mm above the line of the stone tray

$810.80 - just got the call.

I am planning to inspect further myself. I guess it needs to be proven or otherwise if it was caused by the impact of some FOD.

Cheers,
Hymee.

sco · 10-06-2003, 11:52 PM

Hmm.. just went down and looked at mine. To me it looks like the the rock must have flown almost horizontally above the stone tray to hit in this spot...correct?

Would some sort of mesh (say 10mm wire) above the stone tray just behind the black part at the front of the bumper helped to prevent this?

Lock & Load · 10-07-2003, 12:31 AM

HYMEE

Have you got a second opinion on what caused the problem with your condenser ? IT would have to have been a sizeable rock .

$810.00 MAN THAT SUCKS .

Hymee · 10-07-2003, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sco
Hmm.. just went down and looked at mine. To me it looks like the the rock must have flown almost horizontally above the stone tray to hit in this spot...correct?

Would some sort of mesh (say 10mm wire) above the stone tray just behind the black part at the front of the bumper helped to prevent this?

I'm sure that some form of open mesh like what was on my HSV Clubsport would prevent this from happening, without causing detrimental effects to the cooling...

M-ster · 10-07-2003, 01:07 AM

Just like the Miata, the front has a big opening for air-flow, but comes with some sort of grille for protecting the condensor, radiator...

I think one should put a grille over that small air-flow opening to avoid the same accident.

Hymee · 10-07-2003, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by M-ster
Just like the Miata, the front has a big opening for air-flow, but comes with some sort of grille for protecting the condensor, radiator...

I think one should put a grille over that small air-flow opening to avoid the same accident.

I agree. It should be something that Mazda does - even as a precaution.

Cheers,
Hymee.

So far Mazda have not offered any "help".

rpm_pwr · 10-07-2003, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hymee

$810.80 - just got the call.

BARGAIN.

Here's Mazda's quote from the FD RX-7 price database:
61-480 CONDENSER $1292.60
This is the 2002 price. As in, before the rx-8 timed price slug. At '03 prices, supplied & fitted you wouldnt get change from double your quote

-pete

Hymee · 10-07-2003, 02:04 AM

Hey - whos side are you on

I think they should address the risk of it happening. Prevention is cheaper...

Cheers,
Hymee.

rpm_pwr · 10-07-2003, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hymee
Hey - whos side are you on

I think they should address the risk of it happening. Prevention is cheaper...

Cheers,
Hymee.

More importantly whose side is the ACCC on?

-pete

Lock & Load · 10-07-2003, 06:10 PM

HYMEE

Hopefully mazda will eventually upgrade and protect the condenser by covering the oulet with mesh or plastic as in front of number plate, i believe that they should take responsibility as i would consider this as design fault and as a cost cutting excersize as i 1 oil cooler scenario .(*MAYBE THEY DONT HAVE STONES OR ROCKS ON JAPANESE ROADS).

$810.80 FOR REPLACEMENT CONDENSER ?? THAT SUCKS.

SORRY TO HEAR THE BAD NEWS.

MICHAEL

Texagi95 · 10-07-2003, 06:34 PM

The same thing just happened to me!!!! I was driving down the road and all of a sudden, my A/C stopped blowing cold air. I immediately took it to the Mazda dealership, and they pointed out that there is a hole in my A/C condenser. It will NOT be covered under warranty...... I was PISSED!!!!!! I only owned the car for about 3 weeks now...... Getting madder by the minute!!! There wasn't anyone infront of me when it stopped blowing cold air.......

Hymee · 10-07-2003, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lock & Load
HYMEE

Hopefully mazda will eventually upgrade and protect the condenser by covering the oulet with mesh or plastic as in front of number plate, i believe that they should take responsibility as i would consider this as design fault and as a cost cutting excersize as i 1 oil cooler scenario .(*MAYBE THEY DONT HAVE STONES OR ROCKS ON JAPANESE ROADS).

$810.80 FOR REPLACEMENT CONDENSER ?? THAT SUCKS.

SORRY TO HEAR THE BAD NEWS.

MICHAEL

Thanks for the support. I spoke to Mazda Customer non-assistance, and I suggested this was a potential design fault. I was told in no uncertain terms that "...there is nothing wrong with the design. We could put a big steel plate there to stop stones, but that would block the air flow". I was not happy with that response. Do they think I am a dickhead or something. A coarse mesh would surely work well.

I am still waiting for a further rsponse from the dealer, althought in many ways it is not techinally their problem, but in many other ways it is.

As a customer I don't not need to be concerned if I am dealing with Mazda "itself", or their "authorised agent".

I have said plenty of good things about Mazda on this forum in the past. Let see if it lasts... The ball is in there court.

Cheers,
Hymee.

javahut · 10-07-2003, 07:52 PM

Yeah, it seems like Mazda would have put something there to protect it. But if you start noticing, there are quite a few sports cars that have the same basic design, i.e. unprotected openings to the radiator/condenser.

M-ster · 10-08-2003, 02:11 AM

That's where the aftermarket companies step in.

Hymee · 10-08-2003, 02:19 AM

I think I'll put my fabricators hat on when I get home. And I'll stop on the way home to look for some suitable meshing.

Hymee · 10-10-2003, 08:20 AM

Here is what the damage looked like:

And my attempt at bogging it up with QuickSteel:

It was regassed today, and so far it has held the pressure.

Time will tell!

Cheers,
Hymee.

Hymee · 10-11-2003, 07:50 AM

I'm going to make me up a screen that goes in behind the lower air inlet part of the bumper, to protect the condensor from further damage.

Anyone interested in a screen/grill kit to protect their condensor - please PM me. If there is enough interest I will make up a batch of them complete with all hardware and fitting instructions.

Cheers,
Hymee.

Lock & Load · 10-11-2003, 05:58 PM

Hymee
I for one would be interested , however have you checked how putting a screen in front of the condenser would effect air flow temperatures , and if mazda would sanctify this move.
Also what would the cost , and time to install ??

Hymee · 10-12-2003, 05:52 AM

L&L,

To address you question, the mesh will not affect the temperature of the air coming in. I might slightly affect the volume of it. But what is the biggest restriction to flow? It is the condensor and radiator themselves.

Give me a little credit

I am not going to put my pride and joy at risk by doing some stupid irrational thing.

I don't believe the line fed to me that a grill would adversly affect the cooling.

I'll give you a hint... It will be a compromise between a solid plate, and a mosquito net :p Actually - picture in your mind some stainless steel woven mesh with an aperature size of about 5mm, and a wire thickness of 1mm. Anything big enough not to fit through, but with enough size/speed to break through the wire will have a most of its kinetic energy taken away from it. It is all about reducing the likelyhood.

I have spoken to a service manager announcing my intention, and at least one other in Mazda itself, and I am not doing anything they disapprove of to my car.

Cost? I will let you all know. It will be less than $810 dollars though. Would something around 10% of that be acceptable?

Let me know your thoughts. Of course I will post pictures of what I will have to offer.

Cheers,
Hymee.

Kev · 10-12-2003, 07:15 AM

If you can make it look nothing like the flyscreen on my laundry window ... count me in for numbers.

Lock & Load · 10-12-2003, 08:12 AM

Hymee
In no way was i doubting your engenuity in developing the protector for the condenser , i was just expreesing my thoughts , and concerns , no harm intended .
Keen to see the finished product , and i am definetely interested in protecting the condenser .

Michael

Hymee · 10-12-2003, 07:01 PM

Micheal,

Sorry - that came across a bit harsh. I must have had a bad evening!

Cheers,
Hymee.