Look out for stones
#1
Look out for stones
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
#4
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.
$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.
#5
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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?
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?
#7
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?
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?
#8
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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 think one should put a grille over that small air-flow opening to avoid the same accident.
#9
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.
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.
Cheers,
Hymee.
So far Mazda have not offered any "help".
#10
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Originally posted by Hymee
$810.80 - just got the call.
$810.80 - just got the call.
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
#12
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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.
Hey - whos side are you on
I think they should address the risk of it happening. Prevention is cheaper...
Cheers,
Hymee.
-pete
#13
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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
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
#14
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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.......
#15
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
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
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.
#16
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.
#20
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.
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.
#21
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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 ??
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 ??
#22
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.
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.
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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
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