AC Condenser Damage
#1
AC Condenser Damage
Had my dealer check out the AC as it gave no cool air. They told me they found stone damage to the AC condenser causing a loss of AC gas. The replacement will cost around £300 as this damage is not covered under warranty. However, it seems a poor design feature to have the (very large) AC condenser set behind the large chin air inlet without any road debris protection. Having taken a look there are a lot of 'dings' on the condenser and the small radiators (?) behind the front side inlets. Anyone else had this happen or am I just extremely unlucky?
#2
Registered Lunatic
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That's what the air condenser screen is for... many people have a mesh installed to protect it and the oil coolers as well. Racing Beat sell them in a kit - a great investment. If you want, you can buy wire mesh in a hardware / home improvement store and do it yourself. Search for pics, there are quite a few out there.
Imagine what would have happened if the rock hits an oil cooler (the small "radiators" on both sides) while driving - you could be looking at a new engine now instead of a new AC condenser
Imagine what would have happened if the rock hits an oil cooler (the small "radiators" on both sides) while driving - you could be looking at a new engine now instead of a new AC condenser
#4
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Sorry to hear about your misfortune re: the condenser damage. You are not the first I've heard that had this happen. I put screens in mine and it was really easy to do. Highly recommended.
#5
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Lost my ac condenser after a couple of months to a stone too. I spoke to my service guy well before this hapened as a design fault, he agreed. I since installed the platic mesh over the oil coolers and only removed the bottom plastic tray and front plastic wheel wells to get at the front opening to put in black galvanized gutter guard on. I didn't have to remove the bumper like many do. Just had to put the car up on my ramps and go to work.
#6
ER, what screen? There is no screen between the 'outside world' and my condenser. Just a big space enclosed by the floor pan and sides of the nose of the car. The intake at the front seems to act as a funnel to any debris that is flicked up from the road in front. I am intrigued by your comment about the screen.
#7
Screens
Thanks guys for your comments. Can anyone point me in the direction of where to get these screens you all mention? I live in the UK so hopefully someone sells them over here. I have written to Mazda UK to tell them I am unimpressed by the design but I guess that will probably fall on deaf ears!
#8
Shifty Bastard.
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Aftermarket screens. Hymee was the first forum member to suffer the same damage as you. He then designed and now markets screens you can buy.
http://www.mazdaparts.com/CategoryPr...arage:Exterior
Racing Beat make some too.
http://www.mazdaparts.com/CategoryPr...arage:Exterior
Racing Beat make some too.
#9
Out of NYC
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That "little condenser" is NOT A/C condenser, is the Oil Cooler for your Car. and its WAY more important than the "BIG condenser", which is the A/C condenser.
You'll need something like this.
http://www.racingbeat.com/resultset....r=SCREEN%20SET
Im not sure if they ship internationally, but something like this is a MUST for all Rx-8 owners (I agree its a design fault, just like most of the people)
You'll need something like this.
http://www.racingbeat.com/resultset....r=SCREEN%20SET
Im not sure if they ship internationally, but something like this is a MUST for all Rx-8 owners (I agree its a design fault, just like most of the people)
#10
Shifty Bastard.
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Oh, I missed you were in the UK. Hymee has a European distributor. Fabrice is the guy you want.
http://www.enginepsd.com/Hymee/HymeePrices.htm
http://www.enginepsd.com/Hymee/HymeePrices.htm
#13
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you know the more I think about it, the more i wonder why mazda shouldnt do something about this design problem. It is a design problem. And a LOT of people are having things to occur with stones,big *** bugs etc damaging the oil coolers and a/c codenser. Mazda are you listening?
olddragger
olddragger
#14
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Maybe we could start a letter writing campaign to MNAO. With over 20,000 members here I'm sure we could get someones attention on the issue. :D
If not to change the design at least get it covered under warranty.
If not to change the design at least get it covered under warranty.
#16
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Originally Posted by tiggerlee
This is my next mod....
#17
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After looking at the two alternatives..the Hymee screens were best for me....The racing Beat ones won't work if you have a turbo ( won't protect the IC ) or any other mods like an aftermarket oil cooler.......the Hymee screens work so well...and are so simple to install...can't loose for the price :D Get them from thew at Mazdaparts...and support your local vendor
#18
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Originally Posted by Gomez
Fair dinkum?? Hymee screens were my first mod. Screens should be everyones first mod. I didn't think there was a long term forum member without a set, we've seen enough threads on it... :p
busted :o I admit I have procrastinated on this one :o. I just caught a glimpse of my passenger side cooler a few days ago so now I committed on getting the screens installed :D. I promise
#19
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Originally Posted by abbid
I dont think its a design flaw, thats how radiators work. Where do you expect mazda to put the radiator, in the back seat?
#20
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Originally Posted by abbid
I dont think its a design flaw, thats how radiators work. Where do you expect mazda to put the radiator, in the back seat?
If this is a design flaw - then im going to sue mazda for putting the windsheild where they did, i got a rock chip in it and it cracked my windshield. Obviously a design flaw.
If this is a design flaw - then im going to sue mazda for putting the windsheild where they did, i got a rock chip in it and it cracked my windshield. Obviously a design flaw.
#21
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WOW!!
I did not realize how "EXPOSED" the coolers & condenser were. These screens are a must. I got lucky this time and had no charge for the repair of my condenser. Next time they will be protected. Its amazing Mazda does not add this to the car in the first place. It actually looks really cool.
I did not realize how "EXPOSED" the coolers & condenser were. These screens are a must. I got lucky this time and had no charge for the repair of my condenser. Next time they will be protected. Its amazing Mazda does not add this to the car in the first place. It actually looks really cool.
#22
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Originally Posted by tiggerlee
By change the design I meant they could have had screens installed in the first place. Aren't there screw holes there anyway? Next to the fog lights I believe. I think somebody thought of it but for whatever reason they didn't end up on the finished product.
These screens should definitely be standard equipment.
#23
Lubricious
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Originally Posted by UK BLACK
WOW!!
I did not realize how "EXPOSED" the coolers & condenser were. These screens are a must. I got lucky this time and had no charge for the repair of my condenser. Next time they will be protected. Its amazing Mazda does not add this to the car in the first place. It actually looks really cool.
I did not realize how "EXPOSED" the coolers & condenser were. These screens are a must. I got lucky this time and had no charge for the repair of my condenser. Next time they will be protected. Its amazing Mazda does not add this to the car in the first place. It actually looks really cool.
#24
I'm still concerned about the warranty issue when installing these shields for the oil coolers and AC condensor.. let's say if I should develop an overheating problems similar to those in these forums, are there any conflicts with my Mazda warranty due to the (however minor) oil cooler screen mods?? Can they argue that, for example, air flow restrictions from the screens resulted in the damage, and thereby void any warrant work? Don't know how strict car companies are on warranties these days (warranty manual basically discourages any mods).
#25
"Call me Darkman"
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Just thought that you all should know that the mazdaspeed bumper comes with grills so if you are planning to get that bumper then don't waste your money on the screens.