Arrggh, A/C condenser needs replacing
#221
07-27-2010 | 05:35 PM
New Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 12
From: Guelph
Cloud rider grills
They way Cloud rider does it's grills, you select whether or not you have a front license plate, fog lights or a block heater, and they make a part just for your car.
For a fit as far as I can tell, all you need to know is whether or not you have a license plate and fog lights.
For a fit as far as I can tell, all you need to know is whether or not you have a license plate and fog lights.
#222
08-04-2010 | 07:13 PM
New Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 16
From: Atlanta, GA
To anyone else who has done this mod:
Is anyone else getting pinestraw and debris stuck in the very bottom where the mesh is curving towards the inside? It's better than a rock to the condenser...but annoying all the same.
Otherwise great DIY and great praise to McMaster Carr. Ordered on a Sunday night and was delivered lunch time on Monday via local courier.
Is anyone else getting pinestraw and debris stuck in the very bottom where the mesh is curving towards the inside? It's better than a rock to the condenser...but annoying all the same.
Otherwise great DIY and great praise to McMaster Carr. Ordered on a Sunday night and was delivered lunch time on Monday via local courier.
#223
01-09-2011 | 12:56 PM
Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 74
From: Baton Rouge, LA
I installed the aluminum gutter guard last November. I just went out and checked it and true, it's no longer shiny, but other than that it has held up fine. After a winter with lots of snow, slush and road salt/gravel.
Personally, I'm fine with it not being shiny. I tried to paint it black when I put it on, but the paint ( Rustoleum; both can and spray ) would not take. It would come right off with my fingernail.
Personally, I'm fine with it not being shiny. I tried to paint it black when I put it on, but the paint ( Rustoleum; both can and spray ) would not take. It would come right off with my fingernail.
After 21 months of having the gutter guard installed, it has lost it's luster, but no signs of corrosion or loss of integrity. My condenser cooling fins look the same as when I installed the guard. I still have four sheets of the guard for the day I may actually need to replace the old one.
#224
01-10-2011 | 10:02 PM
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 953
From: NY
LOL! Grunting, groaning, and cursing- that was me 2,200 miles ago! I did not find this job easy on my out of shape body, nor my achey shoulders. But it's good peace of mind to have done it, and it's held up well throughout. I chose the black plastic mesh for the job. Gutter guards only spell rust over time, to me. That may not be the case in reality, but that's the reason why I went with plastic.
Dan
Dan
McMaster-Carr
Dan
Last edited by Shockwave199; 01-10-2011 at 10:05 PM.
#225
04-30-2011 | 01:55 PM
New Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1
From: Santa Rosa, CA
Followed McMaster Instructions on 2010
Just finished installing the McMaster mesh on my 2010 FIT - thanks for the excellent directions.
Changes for 2010:
* I used 11x32" to reach from top of grill back to grill mount tabs
* there are now 6 mounting push-throughs that come up from the bottom of the car, so the pointy end is towards where you are putting the mesh. I just pushed the mesh firmly down on the pointy ends.
* There is some kind of mounting tabs (4 each on left and right sides) the protrude backward from the grill. I made a small cut in the mesh and pushed the tabs through.
Changes for 2010:
* I used 11x32" to reach from top of grill back to grill mount tabs
* there are now 6 mounting push-throughs that come up from the bottom of the car, so the pointy end is towards where you are putting the mesh. I just pushed the mesh firmly down on the pointy ends.
* There is some kind of mounting tabs (4 each on left and right sides) the protrude backward from the grill. I made a small cut in the mesh and pushed the tabs through.
#227
08-03-2011 | 12:45 PM
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 393
From: Akron/Canton, OH
First, a smart-ass answer: Sure you can paint it. But since it's plastic who knows if the paint will hold. 
Then, a useful answer: I would try some Krylon Fusion spray paint which is made specially for painting plastic. You could also go with whatever Honda uses to paint the plastic bumpers on the Fit, but I imagine that would be way more expensive than a can of Fusion paint.
Then, a useful answer: I would try some Krylon Fusion spray paint which is made specially for painting plastic. You could also go with whatever Honda uses to paint the plastic bumpers on the Fit, but I imagine that would be way more expensive than a can of Fusion paint.
#228
09-30-2011 | 01:51 PM
New Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1
From: OC, CA
I hit an airborne piece of tire tread this morning.
If it wasn't for the aluminum gutter guard that I installed when I first got the Fit, that thing would cut thru my condenser like a knife!!!
3 or 4 of the zip ties that holds the gutter guard are broken.
The black grill got separated from the bumper opening. At least one broken clip that I can see... but my condenser is safe.
A big thank you to everyone who post instructions on how to install the guard!!!
If it wasn't for the aluminum gutter guard that I installed when I first got the Fit, that thing would cut thru my condenser like a knife!!!
3 or 4 of the zip ties that holds the gutter guard are broken.
The black grill got separated from the bumper opening. At least one broken clip that I can see... but my condenser is safe.
A big thank you to everyone who post instructions on how to install the guard!!!
#229
10-18-2011 | 02:16 PM
Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 529
From: Asheville, NC
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
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
#230
11-03-2011 | 01:53 AM
New Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 12
From: Oakland, CA
still a concern for the 2012s?
I recall seeing many posts about A/C condenser damage from small rocks, and various preventative steps people were taking to minimize their risk. But the topic seems to have gotten quieter over the last few years. Did Honda finally/recently make some changes to the grill to protect the A/C condenser?
#231
11-03-2011 | 06:01 AM
Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 529
From: Asheville, NC
I recall seeing many posts about A/C condenser damage from small rocks, and various preventative steps people were taking to minimize their risk. But the topic seems to have gotten quieter over the last few years. Did Honda finally/recently make some changes to the grill to protect the A/C condenser?
#235
01-03-2012 | 04:36 PM
Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 72
From: allentown, pa
Here is my grille. I have a base model so the opening is different. The openings appear to be larger than the sport model! 
Oh well, it is fixed now. 
See the zip ties? No?
How about now? You can't see them when standing in front of the car because of their position. You can't even see that that well when looking right at them.
This is the mesh that I bought... eBay Motors: UNIVERSAL BLACK ALUMINUM MESH GRILLE GRILL 12" X 48" (item 270345393847 end time Mar-17-09 21:11:22 PDT)
Installation was not bad at all as I did not have to remove the bumper.
1. Open hood.
2. Remove the clips holding the top cover on.
3. Use a piece of cardboard to make a template.
4. Insert cardboard down into the grill and press forward.
5. Trim areas needed and refit.
6. Trace cardboard template onto mesh by scratching the mesh with a screwdriver or some other sharp tool.
7. Cut mesh.
8. Slide down into bumper. Will only have to bend it slightly.
9. Push forward as far as you can.
10. Find the tabs that are on the back of the stock grill. (Rectangles in pic below.)
11. Cut holes in mesh around those tabs with wire snips and push over them.
12. Use zip ties to secure in locations on pic below. (Circles in pic below.)
Sorry about the 3rd grade photoshop. I'm lazy but you get the idea.
Oh well, it is fixed now. See the zip ties? No?
How about now? You can't see them when standing in front of the car because of their position. You can't even see that that well when looking right at them.
This is the mesh that I bought... eBay Motors: UNIVERSAL BLACK ALUMINUM MESH GRILLE GRILL 12" X 48" (item 270345393847 end time Mar-17-09 21:11:22 PDT)
Installation was not bad at all as I did not have to remove the bumper.
1. Open hood.
2. Remove the clips holding the top cover on.
3. Use a piece of cardboard to make a template.
4. Insert cardboard down into the grill and press forward.
5. Trim areas needed and refit.
6. Trace cardboard template onto mesh by scratching the mesh with a screwdriver or some other sharp tool.
7. Cut mesh.
8. Slide down into bumper. Will only have to bend it slightly.
9. Push forward as far as you can.
10. Find the tabs that are on the back of the stock grill. (Rectangles in pic below.)
11. Cut holes in mesh around those tabs with wire snips and push over them.
12. Use zip ties to secure in locations on pic below. (Circles in pic below.)
Sorry about the 3rd grade photoshop. I'm lazy but you get the idea.
Last edited by matt1357; 01-03-2012 at 05:21 PM.
#236
01-03-2012 | 05:31 PM
I checked my mesh just now, and after 2+years there is not a single hole in it. I would have to assume it is doing its job, and that no large rocks are ripping through. We ride the highway daily!
Good luck.
Good luck.
#238
01-14-2012 | 06:17 PM
oh, and i found my mesh at home depot (gutter guard) and my biggest problem was the d@mn license plate in the way when i was trying to zip tie the middle area. i wish i didnt have to legally have a front plate. sucks. i am a big dude and even though my arms arent HUGE i still scraped em up quite a bit on the upper grille area, if you can pop that out it will help a lot.
#239
01-19-2012 | 07:44 AM
New Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 5
From: Germantown, MD USA
I had this exact thing happen to me when my Fit was less than a year - in the middle of a heat wave in the summer! I was forced to have the condenser replaced or die. It cost me $900. It was NOT covered under warranty b/c it was caused by a 2" piece of rusty metal that flew up under my car and pierced the condenser. My mechanic found it sitting in the lip of the front bumper. I can't believe there has never been a recall to have a kit installed BY HONDA to stop this from happening to so many of us. Its wrong!! If there ever is a class action law suit I hope it is posted on here. I'll join in on that!
#240
01-19-2012 | 03:14 PM
Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,295
From: Wandering around.
I had this exact thing happen to me when my Fit was less than a year - in the middle of a heat wave in the summer! I was forced to have the condenser replaced or die. It cost me $900. It was NOT covered under warranty b/c it was caused by a 2" piece of rusty metal that flew up under my car and pierced the condenser. My mechanic found it sitting in the lip of the front bumper. I can't believe there has never been a recall to have a kit installed BY HONDA to stop this from happening to so many of us. Its wrong!! If there ever is a class action law suit I hope it is posted on here. I'll join in on that!