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Arrggh, A/C condenser needs replacing

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  #261  
Old 03-20-2013, 05:08 PM
cpbennett's Avatar
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Originally Posted by justintime
OK I went ahead and completed the mesh install using McMaster Carr's mesh. Awesome and easy!

Black plastic mesh purchased here for cheap: McMaster Carr plastic mesh 0.26" x 0.26"
You only need 1 foot, but get 2 ft in case you mess up... this stuff is cheap!

1. Open hood.
2. Remove top plastic cover (~ 8 clips or so).
3. Cut the mesh to 8" x 32".
4. Open up 2 spots on the mesh so the bottom clips of the grill can be used to attach it. (approx 25 1/2 inches apart, maybe 26 inches.)
5. Remove the 2 clips at the bottom of grill, and put mesh in place, then put clips through mesh onto bumper base.
6. Use black zipties to contour/attach the mesh in place.
7. Replace top cover.

Total cost would about $8 shipped for the mesh and 45 mins install time.

Pics:

8x32 mesh cut to size:


open section for clip (closeup). Approx 25 1/2 inches apart, maybe 26 inches.


Top view, mesh fastened by clip


Zipties all around


All done


Can't see it

P/N == 9314T33 ??

Stretchable Molded Polyethylene Mesh .26" Opening Size, 36" Width, 4 X 4 Mesh Size
 
  #262  
Old 03-20-2013, 05:32 PM
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Originally Posted by cyclefit
Another victim of damaged condenser here. $700 to fix it. I'm so flipping pissed.

Looks like I'll be doing one of these grill protector DIY's. Can't view the pics while at work but I'll check them out when I get home. Need something cheap and fast.....

Glad this thread was here. A big thanks to all the contributors.

Okay I am def doing this ASAP. I can swing $20 but F#$& $700+!!!

Thanks guys, this should be a sticky!
 
  #263  
Old 03-20-2013, 06:43 PM
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My condenser is pretty dinged up too, damn 605 freeway is full of rocks and debris from the piece of shit gravel trucks that come down from Irwindale quarry through the 605 South freeway, my paint is all pitted too.
 
  #264  
Old 03-24-2013, 10:26 AM
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Guys,

Got the mesh in...simple, easy, cheap (I spent $5.75)

Found some plastic gutter guard at Menards...

IMG_1880.jpg?t=1364134336

And of course black zip ties...

IMG_1891.jpg?t=1364134338

Removed the clips...

IMG_1899.jpg?t=1364134096

8 clips total...

IMG_1896.jpg?t=1364134090

And it is off...

IMG_1909.jpg?t=1364134108

Worst part, the reach (didn't wanna remove that air scoop)...

IMG_1912.jpg?t=1364134117

Getting the mesh in and zip-tied...

IMG_1907.jpg?t=1364134100

Done!

IMG_1918.jpg?t=1364134083

And one for good measure...

IMG_1917.png?t=1364134077

Thank you guys for the idea and DIY!
 
  #265  
Old 03-24-2013, 10:31 AM
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I would recommend you buy the 8" wide stuff from McMaster-Carr and use the two clips on the bottom. I only used that 6" gutter stuff because it was right in front of me at Menards, its was 60 F outside, and I wanted to get it done.

Order the McMaster-Carr stuff and you will get a better result! 6" works but not as well as the original DIY.

Thanks again.
 
  #266  
Old 03-24-2013, 11:52 AM
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I posted this on another similar thread, hope it helps.

I ended up going with the $3 gutter guard aluminum mesh. I gave it a coat of Rust-Oleum semi gloss black. What ever gets put in there is going to get dinged up and I wanted something inexpensive and easy to replace. I also like the looks of it with the upper grill which it echoes the pattern of with out standing out too much. Here's the finished job... I also Plasti-dip sprayed the chrome H emblem.






I removed the top radiator cover and the upper grill assembly for easier access to the back side. (While I had the upper grille off I Plasti-coated the H emblem.)
I cut a piece of cardboard to the rough size than, holding it in place I marked with pencil from the front side where the four tabs on the rear of the bottom grill supports protrude. I cut out the holes and checked fit with the cardboard template. I than cut the wire mesh to the size of the template and cut out the tab holes and then secured it to the back using 4" black wire clamps just below the horizontal bar on each of the 4 vertical bars. The tabs also hold the mesh tightly, just don't make the holes too big.

To make it easier for anyone else wanting to do this, here are the measurements for the mesh. This is for my base model 2009 with fog lights, don't know if others are different but it should give you the basic size at least. Once you have a template, making them is a breeze.
Thanks to everyone who has posted on this.


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  #267  
Old 06-02-2013, 03:59 PM
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So, installed this yesterday using the 1'x4' aluminum grating, took some finagling but I got it in there. I decided to only secure it to the center holes behind the front-center of the grill because I was expecting there to be other places to secure it, and I didn't want any visible exposure of the zipties. I tried threading a few around the grill openings and then looking at it, and it felt a lot more visible to me. So, I'm considering this to be short-term protection.

That said, looking at this:
09-11 2011 Honda Fit Bumper Billet Grille Grill Insert # H66694A : Amazon.com : Automotive 09-11 2011 Honda Fit Bumper Billet Grille Grill Insert # H66694A : Amazon.com : Automotive

I've no experience with Plasti Dip, but my only compaint about getting one of these is the "bling". I don't want Kimiko to have "bling", I would want this to be something like matte black.
 
  #268  
Old 07-04-2013, 07:51 PM
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While at my local True Value hdw. store, I found a 6" x 36" plastic gutter guard, that worked great as an a/c condenser grill. It was less than $3. Just zip tied it to the opening uprights. snipped a few spots between holes, for the tabs that are in the way. It was white plastic, and I spray painted it black.
I think it looks good also. Just hope it doesn't cut down on the a/c, or cooling. I know a rock thru the condenser would cut down on a/c!
[IMG][/IMG]
 
  #269  
Old 08-25-2013, 02:00 AM
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Bump for this thread. My gf and I are going to put a garden in and she brought some plastic mesh home to keep the critters out. After we take what we need for the garden, there will be a 8' x 8" section left over. I already have zip ties. I do a LOT of freeway driving in my car so I feel this is a great investment of an hour and maybe $2 worth of plastic.
 
  #270  
Old 08-25-2013, 04:08 AM
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Oh, just remembered something...

A few weeks ago, I did my oil change. And while I was waiting for the oil to drain, I decided to clean out the mess of dead leaves that got caught and blown around.

I found a piece of wire that looks vaguely familiar, but I couldn't place it immediately. After some more thought, I decided to do something... push on the wire mesh I had installed. Wouldn't you know it, one corner was completely loose. Apparently, the wire was the piece I was using to tie down the mesh!

I mean, considering this thing produces little to no air resistance, for the wire to undo itself is... a bit surprising. Unless something hit it. O.o?!?
 
  #271  
Old 08-25-2013, 05:37 PM
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i dont work at honda, but i work for a major car dealer. Manufacturer Warranty for parts applies when it is a defect in material or worksmanship of the part. A rock hitting a condenser is in no way somethings that Honda did. I understand it sucks, but its the same a rock hitting the windshield. You can sometimes get your auto insurance to make such repairs for you, but most people dont have a 0 or 250 deductible.
 
  #272  
Old 09-04-2013, 08:34 PM
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GREAT DIY! This is gonna be my second mod if it counts as a mod LOL, Does tint count.
 
  #273  
Old 09-05-2013, 04:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Sir_Greek
i dont work at honda, but i work for a major car dealer. Manufacturer Warranty for parts applies when it is a defect in material or worksmanship of the part. A rock hitting a condenser is in no way somethings that Honda did. I understand it sucks, but its the same a rock hitting the windshield. You can sometimes get your auto insurance to make such repairs for you, but most people dont have a 0 or 250 deductible.
Although not a defect in material or workmanship, leaving the condenser exposed is a defect in design by Honda. They technically don't have to cover the repair costs, but at least they could correct the design. We shouldn't all have to do DIY's with $5 mesh on a brand new car.
 
  #274  
Old 09-05-2013, 05:08 PM
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you don't.

Take a look in any parking lot. The majority of cars have their A/C condensers exposed through wide openings in the cars' lower grills. Maybe it's because the Fit's condenser isn't painted black that you're aware of it, but this is the case for most passenger cars and trucks. It's an esthetics issue more than anything.

I have 2 in my driveway besides the fit, 2003 Accord, 98 Camry. I used to have a 97 Odyssey.

lessee. Fit: 60K, Accord, 110K, Camry 160K, Odyssey 225K. Total miles letting it hang out with no damaged condensers: 555,000 miles.

If you take rocks in your windshield constantly, maybe it's worth protecting the grill. That hasn't happened to me either.

really, you're a bunch of A/C condenser chicken-littles. Get a life.
 
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