Mesh over lower grill opening to protect condenser

[lion18938]

Hi everyone,

I have seen several posts relative to covering the openings in the lower grill to protect the condenser from rocks, road debris, etc. I have bought some 1/2" diamond grill mesh from McMaster-Carr and I will be doing the job shortly according to several recommendations and accompanying photos from the forums. It looks like a relatively easy straightforward job.

I am NOT questioning the need for this. But I thought I would comment that I have started to look at several different makes of cars to see how open their lower grills may be. I discovered that most of Honda's and Acura's car line from various model years are also in need of lower grill protection as well as certain Chevys, Toyotas, etc.

I saw on the various forum posts that some owners were thinking of approaching Honda for recompense or even thought of a lawsuit. From my very limited look around my guess is that this would be a tough sell. Too many cars are out there with this exact same condition.

Good luck,

Lion:cool:

[manxman]

I have read, but have not been able to confirm, that Honda has lost a class action suit over the intentional lack of efficient lower grille design to eliminate damage to the condenser. Many forum members have posted that their condenser has been ruined, and that their dealer has said "Sorry, punctures from rocks are not covered by warranty".

I have not read that anyone has been able to get their condenser replaced for free. Considering how simple and inexpensive it is to prevent this damage completely, it's just a matter of "how concerned are you, the Honda owner, about your own potential to lose your A/C"?

When I see a potential problem, I find ways to make the problem impossible to affect my car. I posted the first fitfreak DIY on using screen material behind the plastic stock grille to protect the condenser. I later posted the first fitfreak DIY on using after-market billet aluminum grilles to achieve the same purpose with a little added style. I avoided using plastic gutter guard material because I have seen this material become brittle and change shape due to UV light and ozone exposure.

lion, your McMaster Carr mesh material will work perfectly, and was a 100% better choice than plastic gutter guard crap.

[lion18938]

... but it's a little hard to do when you have 15 + inches of snow falling (which is what we expect to get tonight and tomorrow).

Hey - it could be worse???

Thanks Manxman for your comment and your know-how!

All the best,

Lion:rolleyes:

[manxman]

Sorry to hear about the snow lion, but the nice thing is-------------
the snow holds the rocks to the ground so they won't be kicked up into your condenser.

I would not be installing anti-rock mesh in your weather either!

[RUNBIKERUN]

I avoided using plastic gutter guard material because I have seen this material become brittle and change shape due to UV light and ozone exposure.

lion, your McMaster Carr mesh material will work perfectly, and was a 100% better choice than plastic gutter guard crap.[/QUOTE]

I should have listened to you. I used a plastic mesh I found on Ebay and it has a couple huge holes where rocks hit it in the cold weather.

[manxman]

I avoided using plastic gutter guard material because I have seen this material become brittle and change shape due to UV light and ozone exposure.

lion, your McMaster Carr mesh material will work perfectly, and was a 100% better choice than plastic gutter guard crap.

I should have listened to you. I used a plastic mesh I found on Ebay and it has a couple huge holes where rocks hit it in the cold weather.[/QUOTE]


Well, now you know better. A lot of forum people don't like my advice, but those are the people who want to believe in fairy tales. My advice is based on science and personal experience, and is always the truth.

I used Home Depot plastic gutter guards on my house about 20 years ago. Within 2 years, the once flat panels resembled potato chips and would crack into pieces if you tried to bend them. The Mr. Grille billet aluminum grille cover that I installed 1+ years ago still looks brand new, and will stop a brick.

[littleblackcar]

Can you post a link to the exact mesh you bought? I'm thinking of using aluminum gutter guard.

[claymore]

Any gutter guard will work fine. It's strange that the USDM version has this problem of debris hitting the condenser while it's not a problem for the rest of the world. Possibly the longer front bumper and grille area has something to do with it as that is the only difference really.

If you live in a cold climate I would go with the aluminum or grille type if I was going to do it.

[littleblackcar]

The metal gutter guard appears to have openings large enough for there to be enough air flow. Any worries about this?

[claymore]

No nobody has reported any rise in temperature of engine coolant after installing the rock guards of all types.