Protect aircon condenser?

[se4]

My aircon has never worked since i bought the car last year, now it's getting warm it's becoming an issue.

So it's booked in tomorrow to have the system checked over, from what I've read on here chances are it's the condenser (obviously I'm just assuming right now)

As the car does a lot of mileage (circa 30k p.a.) and mostly motorway it is likely that stones and other objects will hit the front of the car from time to time.

My thinking is if I have to have the front bumper taken off to change the condenser, why not fit a fine mesh behind the lower bumper grill, black mesh obviously! Not for appearance but to help protect the condenser.

Any ideas/suggestions or tips or anyone else tried something like this?

[nokiaman1978]

sure someone on here has done this

[hippo]

i did mine too bumper off bought alliminium mesh from B&Q cut up and fitted behind bottom grill you dont even see it when bumper refitted.

[m8internet]

The condensor should be able to put with general driving, but all it takes is one minute stone to damage it permanently

My front bumper was hit by a large piece of debris from a HGV about 4 years ago, which dislodged the lower grille pushing it into the condensor
The condensor has a mark from this
However, there is more damage from insects and stones!

On my previous Vectra it was the actual pump itself that failed first

[SRiAden]

Pretty sure it'll just need a gas recharge. Think it's probably freon or something, cos they use that in fridges. Quite expensive from what I gather, well about 40 odd quid. Give that a try first.

[m8internet]

The price of regassing hasn't changed much in 10 years, probably as more and more cars have become fitted with air conditioning in that time

My previous Vectra B had this done under warranty (after argument) Initially they charged the system with dye-based gas and then used UV light to check for discharges, although they spent more time checking the condensor
Two were found, on the pipes with restricted access, and these were fixed under warranty with new pipes
The system was then regassed

Sadly the air conditioning pump failed a few weeks later
It was agreed they woud not charge me for the regassing, as I had just paid for it a few weeks earlier (their mistake, it was actually warranty)

[Big Dave]

Think it's probably freon or something, .

It's proper name is R134a

= tetrafluoroethane, or cf3-ch2f. It has a boiling point of -26.3oC and a freezing point of -101oC. Its a non flamable gas. It's colourless, and its odour is slightly ethereal.

http://www.refrigerants.com/msds/r134a.pdf

[Exclusive BV]

mine was fine last season but not now, even tried it a few times during winter. This will be my second recharge. Our zafira aircon still works perfectly after 5 years but the wife never uses it

[m8internet]

Now the downside
Restricting the airflow to the condensor, is going to vastly reduce the airflow through the radiator
Not an issue in the winter, but could be in the summer

[se4]

I'm talking about this sort of stuff

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...egoryId_165675

Wont affect airflow one bit but should help stop debris hitting the condenser and the holes are reasonably small, smaller than those in the lower grill at least