AC condenser is NOT COVER under warranty !!
 

ok i dont get this some how my AC condenser got a HOLE in it and because of that the AC Is DEAD It BLOWS but i can see this thing on the CONDENSER and i think its a HOLE but am not Sure if it is any ways i was toled its not going to be coverd by them if it Dose have a HOLE in thier . i MEAN come on its not my Falt that it was not protected good or the Design of the AIRDUM was too big it SHoulde of hade some Protection to Stop rocks and things from flying in thier and damging Stuff. this is Geting me MAD !!

here is a pic to show you what am talking about !

I'm sure it would probably be covered if it failed due to manufacturing defects, but more than likely it was caused by a projectile...rock. If you have to eat the cost, go ahead and get an upgraded condenser (better). I saw someone upgraded it in one of the thread.
It's a good thing that I placed wire mesh in front of the air dam. I've seen rocks and other stuff stuck to it already.

you could always complain directly to Mazda see what they say......this is why i put my cheap mesh grill to protect it works pretty good.

Ouch! You aren't the first RX-8 owner to lose their AC condensor to a stone. Mazda has refused warranty coverage before and they will do so again. The warranty is against manufacturing defects, not design defects. Yes, it sucks, but that's the way it is.

This is why so many forum members have installed DIY screens to protect their AC condensor and oil coolers. I installed them the first rain-free weekend after I bought the car. Forget the ricey mods, protect your baby first.

Sorry for your loss, it's about an $800 repair IIRC. Now get thee to the DIY forum so it doesn't happen again. AC and oil cooler screens will cost you about $15 in supplies (Home Depot) and 3 hours of work/fun.

Agreed- either buy some screens from DLS or build your own... while I am concerned about the AC condenser, I'm a lot more worried about the oil coolers taking a hit and losing oil. I made some that were cheezy from raw material at the hardware store, and then bought some nice ones from DLS and they look and work great.

His full-coverage auto insurance may cover the damage.

CRH

My eyes hurt.

RX8 XTC - sure looks like you've got a hole. The refrigerant system has oil in it and it the dark area is probably from that leaking out. If the oil leaked out you know the refrigerant is gone too.

Mazda needs to get a clue. Don't leave big empty holes in the front of the car in front of sensitive components.

Definitely check out the DIY so it doesn't happen again.

BTW, this is for the people whose eyes watered up before finishing the OP.

OK! I dont get this. Somehow my AC condenser got a hole in it and because of that the AC Is dead. The fan blows but doesn't cool. I can see something on the condenser and I think it's a hole. I'm not sure. In any case I was told it's not going to be covered by Mazda if it is a hole.

I mean -- come on! It's not my fault that it was not well protected or if the design of the air dam was faulty. There should be some protection to stop rocks and things from flying in there and damaging stuff. This is getting me MAD !!

original text:

Long Live Nubo!

...and if you get any grief from your insurance company, ask them if they'll cover a windshield damaged by a rock. Then ask them at what altitude your coverage stops.

Worked for me when a rock hit the condenser on my Type R.

Agreed, this is an insurance issue not a warranty issue. That said, $800 seems like a ridiculous price for a condenser...does that include labor?

I got the Racing Beat screen that goes over it in order to avoid this scenario, but any of the similar grills by DLS, or the DIY projects along this line should work just as well.

jds

Windshields are covered because they are a safety component of the car. Having a rock hit your AC is no different than a rock breaking your foglight or chipping your paint... it sucks, but not an insurance item unless you feel like spending the deductable on it. For an AC condenser, the deductable is definitely worth it.

This was a fun thread to read..

That is all.

Yeah, but comprehensive coverage even covers cosmetic stuff (pricey parking lot scrapes, etc.). I've never had to argue that the damage made the vehicle unsafe. That is, as you point out, if you'll pay the deductible.

Which brings up another point... a $0 deductible for comprehensive only cost me a couple dollars every six months (State Farm). It's not nearly expensive as reducing your collision deductible. I was fully reimbursed for the condenser on my R.

Many owners including myself put a grille over the opening to practically eliminate the chance of these "accidents". It's a simple and cost-effective solution. I think it is truly a design defect to leave the condenser unprotected when the solution is so trivial.

i guse i got no choice but to get a New one now !! this is Pathetic !! :mad: :mad: :mad:

I noticed my A/C went out today, I'm in the same boat as you, looks like a rock smacked mine pretty good also.

I'm going to write a letter to Mazda one this one.

Does anyone sell these screens? I don't feel like making one.

Thanks

I got mine from Dennis at DLS Customs, who is a forum member here:

https://www.rx8club.com/dls-customs-closed-89/product-information-description-photos-46526/

Great kit and great instructions...

makes me glad I got the racing beat ac condensor and oil screen. Makes 80 bucks seem like a deal.

I think Hymee (member) was one of the first (if not the first) to start making them.

Just so you guys don't think that only the RX-8's are prone to damage, I looked in the front grille of my little Civic today at my a/c condenser. While I don't have any large gaping holes in it, a very large percentage of the fins are bent together which has closed off alot of airflow through it. I have progressively noticed that the a/c is getting weaker and now I know why. Time to get in there with some very fine needlenose pliers. I've had to do this to RX-7 oil coolers before. It isn't a factory defect or design error on Mazda's part. It is just a hazard of driving.

Agree 100%.

While the situation sucks, it's not a warranty issue. Most all cars built have the rad and A/C condensor in a very forward and easily hit position. No letter to Mazda or complaining to the dealer will change that it's not covered under warranty

Just be thankful you don't have a $2000 intercooler up front, replace the AC condensor and then get the protective screens for them.

Only other thing I could think of is to try and source out a shop that is able to repair the condensor and get it fixed there (if possible). Would be cheaper then a brand new replacement.

Maybe not warrenty folks, but this is crap design. Surely the designers know the 'hazards of driving'. Put some protection in the design.

You can always pick up a radiator fin comb and 'rake' them back into alignment...

Was at the Mazda dealership this weekend and noticed the 3 has this plastic "screen" protecting their goods. :confused: Oh well.

Well this crap design costs about $600 to fix as I found out today. I called Mazda as well as emailed them, they are going to have district sales rep talk to my service manager and see if there is anything they can do. I don't expect to get it fixed for free, but picking up some part of the cost would be nice.

To be honest, even if I had the screens, I doubt they would have stoped the rock, but I bet they would have slowed it down. I'm looking into ways to build this myself rather than spend $80 from Racing Beat.

I don't know what the racing beat ones look like, but the ones I got from Dennis would easily stop or divert a golf ball-sized rock. The materials I bought to build my own weren't nearly as strong though- his are stamped out of aluminum- very strong and lightweight, which is why I kept my homemade ones in the garage.

I went with some hefty stainless steel mesh. If a rock makes it past this stuff you got more problems than AC coils...

https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...chmentid=16956

There is an exhaustive thread with a host of grille options discussed and presented in the DIY section

https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...chmentid=16956

Racing Beat screens installed on my 8 for those of you who haven't seen what RB's product looks like. I painted the oil cooler screens black.

-Gary

Both ways are good i like Em :-D but am still with NO DAMN AC !!!! i think they want almost $800 FOr that AC Condencer !!! bunch OF CrAP !!!

Can you see where the hole is? A good radiator shop should be able to repair it for a fraction of $800.

Did you order them direct?
Were they hard to install?

RX8fanatic,

I ordered them direct from Racing Beat and they were really easy to install. The included instructions were very good. I recommend using the steps in this thread to remove the front bumper.

https://www.rx8club.com/dls-customs-closed-89/front-bumper-removal-39738/

-Gary

Thanks Gary.

Arggh. Something I know I should do, but haven't done.

So RX8 XTC,
Did you ever get a condenser? I believe I told you I have one.
Paul.

no Paul i did not yet i am having lil proplems right now am living my life with no AC LoL soon i hop i will get one.

yeah, I was going to suggest Mazmart over a new one from the dealer

Your story got me motivated yesterday to get my a/c checked it has been down for a couple of weeks. I dropped it off this morning, they looked at it said i had the same problem as you got a hole in the condenser. But they called mazda and got a goodwill credit for mazda for the condenser and did the enitre thing parts and labor for free. Plus the replaced my pads for 2nd time since owning the car. I love Freeman mazda.

Looking at your pictures there doesn't seem to be enough damage to prove it was a rock (it could just ge the pictures). A condensor can form leaks without damage, espescially at the botoom and the sides. It wouldn't hurt anything to take it in and have it looked at. By the way Mazda can't deny any warr. unless they can prove without a doubt it was not a manf. deffect.

here again look at the Pix FOLLOW the Red Line i mad and then look under the ARROW i made too you can see that the Ac condencer has a Hole if you look closely you will see that the metel is bent in and seems like its broken.

[8 is enough] How many Miels u have on ur car ?? I mean i trayd to make them Replace them but they wont i got a Proplem with the Front right ROTAR i think its WARped and they Wont DO nothing about IT 150 to fix 1 of them i think and all is going to be AloT it sux man :mad:

go to another dealer... run your AC the whole time and hope it blows the compressor. bitch and moan drive the laoner car into the ground and if they still give you shit try to lemon law the car.

lemon law has nothing to do with a hole in the condensor especially if you have never complained about a A/C problem before. I you go in demanding stuff to be done your not going to get anywhere.

Oh yeah and the A/C sytem has a low pressure switch that won't allow the compressor to kick on if pressure are below a certain psi ( a.k.a a leak) for the purpose off protecting the compressor. although you could bypass the sensor hmmmmmmmmm.......
I wouldn't do that though because if they don't warranty it you would then have to buy a compressor also.

Same issue with me today. Condenser has a hole in it due to a rock. Of course this item is not covered by warranty. Called Mazda USA to have a quick discussion about the purpose to the warranty and the piss-poor placement design of the condenser.

After that fun conversation I called my insurance company (love ya USAA)and found it was covered with a $0 deductible. Will needto fax over the work order information tomorrow and will receive a check. Only bad part was I had to pre-pay for the part and it won't be here until next week, first time I've ever heard of that.

-Tim

i had the same problem with my AC condensor, but the dealship covered it for me...soon after i installed the racing beat protector...

I believe they probably meant "piss poor design".


rock......................hole............condense r.................sad

--*------------------->O-------------------//--------------- :(


vs.

rock...................grille..hole............con denser.............happy

--*------------------->#O-------------------//--------------- :)