I just bought my Fit (for the wife) last week. After browsing the forums, the one thing that bothers me is exposed A/C condenser (and the fog light issue). So, I thought I would start a poll to see exactly how big of problem it is.

Thanks

 

I think it's a big freaking problem and a major oversight of Honda to let the Fit off the manufacturing line with no protection for that condenser. I have posted about this problem before because of how much it irritates me. I mean seriously, how much could a nice plastic mesh grill have added to the cost of the Fit? Probably a couple of pennies, yet Honda is going to pay far more than that in warranty claims against damaged condensers.

I have not taken any kind of road trip in my Fit yet because of the exposed condenser and I check it almost every day for any damage. So far I've been very lucky as I don't even have any dead bugs in the condenser, it's very clean like the day I bought it. I have however found a mesh grill I'm going to order tomorrow and here is a link to the part: Grille-Tech - Products - Available Products for the 2007 - 2009 Honda Fit

It just pisses me off I have to spend over a $100 (with shipping) on a part that SHOULD have come standard on the car in the first place. This is the second stupid thing Honda has done with the Fit. The first is of course forcing people to buy an expensive navigation system just to get stability control.

 

Thanks for the link. The one I am considering is this one:

2009 Honda Fit Billet Grille Grill:eBay Motors (item 110394860747 end time May-28-09 11:15:30 PDT)

 

Hey that works too. Anything is better than what we have, which is nothing!

 

i have yet to see a car with stock protection for the condenser...... unless its an intercooler in front

 

I think this is getting a little overblown. I have a 1994 Accord and a 1996 Integra, both of which have the air condencer wide open at the front. The Accord has 320 000 klics on it and the Integra 250 000. Both of which are still on their original condencers. Both of these cars where driven in rural Ontario and on dirt roads. I do wish Honda covered them up better, and I will put some mesh on my Fit, but I don't think not driving the car is in order.

 

I've put a black grill in front of mine to protect it. Unfortunately, I didn't protect my foglights fast enough, as I've already replaced one, then added protection to them.

 

black mesh grille for the win!!!

 

Everyone on a similar forum used to say the same thing about the Element. In the four years I owned my E, though, I never had any kind of grill, and I never had any problems with the A/C condenser. (I also never had any windshield issues, which was a MAJOR concern with Elements.)

 

Just go to lowe's buy some gutter mesh, pop the hood, remove the front grille if you want, and cut the mesh w/ tin snips to fit the lower grille and zip tie that bad boy in all four corners and in the center and be done with it. It's maybe a $5 dollar mod.

Run a search this topic has been covered.

Mine looks just like Committobefit08 but in silver mesh, and i hid my zip ties behind the license plate.

It makes the front end look real good IMO.

 

Thanks, I've seen the threads. Going through them makes it seem like 90% of the people have had their condensers busted. Just thought a poll would get a true representation on how big the problem is before I add mesh from Lowe's to a brand new car.

 

For a less that $5 it's cheap insurance to protect the condenser.

It also gives a more finished look to the front of the car.

 

I have only had my Fit just over a month now, and so far, no rock in the condenser. It doesnt mean it won't happen. I don't believe this problem is overblown as someone suggested here. It's a luck of the draw type of thing.
Nor is it an unknown problem with Honda and it's dealerships. It's not just a Fit issue as one can see in 3 or 4 posts here on this consumer site about "Honda problems"

Consumer complaints about Honda

I've read enough posts here and elsewhere to suggest this is an unacceptable design flaw by Honda!

 

Kinda like the E&G 2 pc Grill kit




but at $244 its kinda pricey for me now...

links below

 

This is exactly what I did. I attached it with black zip ties. My only concern is that it might rub against metal causing rust. I tried to cut it to fit as close to the hole as possible but there is a little overlay to get it to fit flush. I installed it before my last road trip and noticed allot of debris caught by the mesh instead of the inter cooler.

Total cost- 8$ FTW

 

that or drive farther back from people...

 

Bought the mesh but haven't installed it yet.

Still trying to figure out best installation method.

 

I know I'm new here but I get the hint that this is overblown, as well. My CR-V has a pretty exposed condensor and I've never had a rock in years of heavy interstate driving. Heck, my wife rear ended a Volvo in it and it didn't even ding the condensor.

You have to remember, automotive web forums are places where people come with problems and complaints. I help moderate 2 different auto-related forums and you'd think there wasn't a car that could drive 5 ft without crapping out...

On the other hand, I have to say the black mesh is a nice, tasteful, discreet mod.

 

Over blown.
Go to a parking lot and check out other people's front bumper - almost every manufacture, old and new, has a great big opening. If it was an "over sight" by Honda, it was an over sight by every manufacture for the past 30+years.

Unless the "man" is behind this conspiracy...
where's Mulder when you need him?

 

I think the chance of a rock hitting the windshield is greater than it hitting the condensor.

And unfortunately, more people in this forum got their wheels stolen than either of the above.