I'm dealing with the exact same problem as the original poster. I absolutely disagree that it's a "freak accident." It's totally and easily preventable and those holes in the grill are ridiculously large, pretty much inviting this kind of stuff to happen. And it's not like I'm doing 80 mph down a gravel road. My mechanic even says that it's stupidly designed and Toyota should be held responsible. I've seen on other forums that there are a number of other people who've had the exact same problem. This is definitely the last time I'm buying a Toyota - I bought a new car to *avoid* having problems 6 months after I got the thing.

 

you see the other new modern cars with bigger "holes" that aren't toyota?

 

Just got back from my local Scion dealer after the airconditioning quit working. The estimate to fix was $1284. Apparently the condenser has a hole in it from road debris and due to this "unfortunate" incident, it is not covered under warranty.

I pulled the lower grill and found 2 "nicks" in the condenser where a rock (I assume the size of a pebble) did $1284 worth of damage to my Scion. I compared the amount of condenser debris damage on my Scion to my daughters 2005 Saab 9-2X condenser with a similar design. The Saab condenser shows significantly more damage (ie rock hits) to the condenser than my Scion, yet the AC is ice cold. My Scion has 30,000 miles and the Saab has 42,000 miles on dirt roads in Alaska.

Apparently the Scion condenser is made from inferior (very soft) aluminum that allows this kind of damage from small road debris. I had a bra with mesh across the grill for the first year and no bra the second year. I assume the damage happened after I removed the bra.

I'm not sure about ya'll, but $1284 for maintenance for 24 months of driving on a brand new car is totally unacceptable. I love my Scion, but if Toyota doesn't make this right, it is the last Toyota product I'll ever own.

If your driving around your box without a bra or mesh in the grill, one pebble will ruin your day.

Greg

 

maybe dont tailgate so much? rcks just dnt become airborne on their own.

 

Yea, that's what caused it..................

 

X2 If this is a problem for some folks just get some mesh and tie wrap it up behind the lower grills. Only problem is it will need to be cleaned from bugs and such regularly.

 

Strange thread....

I've been in the automotive AC industry a long time. In all my years I think I have seen one actual failure due to road debris. This was in a K-5 Blazer and a "bolder" had the ability to fit through grill openings....


"Rls2_01503" take a picture or scan your estimate. I would like to see it. I call B/S on this...

Lets see the "other forum posts" obviously this is a "HUGE" problem... POST THEM!

Lets just ponder this a minute...

A "pebble" thrown at such a high speed that it actually punctures the aluminum tube surrounded, and somewhat protected by the fins.
I'm not saying that the situation is impossible, but not a common by any means.

So lets SEE the damage in vehicle. A picture is worth a 1000 words...Right?

Sounds to me like you have neighbors that have pellet guns and for some unknown reason you have a failure? Or simply self inflicted and un-willing to fess up?

This scenario just doesn't come close to realistic. "Toyota" and there inferior part, considering just how many are out there without a problem and abused.

 

I remember years ago when my brother had condenser damage on his 91' eagle talon.
Those cars don't even have protection in the airdam. Anyway, he did a simple fix and kinked the the bottom row where it was leaking at both ends to stop freon flow in that section of the condenser. Recharged the system and worked fine the rest of the summer. He got rid of the car after the fall of that year.

 

I have also been told that "road debris" punctured my ac condenser and now have no ac. It is a $1200+ fix. We have had the Xb for less than a year and we are in the processing making a claim with Scion, which I am told will probably be unsuccessful. While I love my car, and have denied the offer to have my car bought back, the windshield has just been replaced and the ac condenser issue is a problem in my opinion. I honestly think this is a defect issue. The ac condensor must be pretty deliciate for a pebble to cause this sortof damage. I do hope that it will be paid for by Scion as I honestly think it is the right thing to do. I did pay for my own windshield and plan to add the mesh to protect the new condenser once fixed.

I sympathize with those who have this issue. I think it should be covered in the warranty. I love my car and it really bummed me out since this was my first "NEW" car.

 

You had a very rare occurrence with the condenser incident. There are just not enough people having this problem.
You also need to find a better place to have it fixed. There is no freakin way it should cost 1200 bucks to R/R a condenser and recharge the system. Should be more like 3-4 hundred dollar job max if that much.
Also, stay away from Scion dealers when you are getting esitmates. Try calling some Radiator/auto a/c places. You'll see what I mean. I did a/c condenser installs for 10 years so I know how much it costs.

Here is a link to a new condenser. It's only like 210 plus shipping.
http://www.racepages.com/fr1/parts/a...%2FC+Condenser

 

I agree $1200 is too expensive - that was of course the dealer price as it was taken to them to look at for the ac not working, thy were the ones who told me the problem was a damage to the ac condenser. I have a second opinion this week, per Scion, and if Scion won't cover the repair, I will have it done somewhere else at a much lower cost. FYI Scion wanted over $600 for the windshield replacement and we have it done this weekend for $115. So, unless a problem is covered by the warranty, the dealer cost is just too expensive.

 

115 for windshield installed??? What company please? That's a hella deal for sure.

 

it is a little hole in the wall place in Otay Mesa, CA - I really can't recall the name but I can get it to you

 

Thanks but I was hoping it was a large auto glass chain.

 

Well, I was driving home the other night and the car in front of me ran over the remains of a shipping pallet. A piece flew up and took out my lower center grill. I looked at it the other day and my condensor got smacked like a champ. AC still works though and it doesn't appear to be leaking freon.

For thsoe of you who had the condensor replaced, why is it so much? Is the part itself that much? Evac system, remove bumper, swap part, install bumper, recharge, done right?

Gonna get some estimates this week. Sucks because if my car had been stock height, I probably would have cleared it... the price you pay to be low and slow.

 

I'm wondering why insurance won't cover the condenser damage if it happened while driving? Especially if the estimates are that high!

 

I too have a damaged condensor. My 'back-yard' mechanic priced the oem replacement at over $600.00 just for the part - his cost. I went on line and found some aftermarket replacements. Link = http://www2.partstrain.com/products/ShopBody/A!C_Condenser/2005~SCION~XB~4~1.5~XB--001.html?sku=P40471M
This plus the protective screen, and his labor - whew....way better. Good luck

 

i haven't had issues with mine but my mothers mini van had its condenser punctured by debris( she hit a bag of garbage that fell out of a lawn truck on the freeway)

i too have worked around vehicles nearly my whole life particularly rental trucks(talk about abuse!!) who have condensers much more exposed than ours with very very few occasions of a debris induced failure.

not saying it can't happen just that it doesn't very often. speaking of which anybody work around isuzu cab overs? i do you wanna talk about an exposed condenser WOW just hangs out in the open in front of the right steer tire and behind the bumper i am amazed every time the a/c works in those trucks