R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006) Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53) hatchback discussion.

R50/53 Punched hole in a/c condensor. :^(

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Old Aug 3, 2008 | 01:49 PM
  #1  
89AKurt's Avatar
89AKurt
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From: Prescott, AZ, USA
Punched hole in a/c condensor. :^(

I just placed an ad elsewhere for a salvaged condensor.

Has anyone fabricated something like a skid plate, or a steel tube bumper to protect the condensor and radiator? It would help to not drive off the pavement (duh), but this is a vulnerable spot.
 
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Old Aug 3, 2008 | 01:55 PM
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Care to share how this happened in more detail? If it was some kind of desert plant that went into the lower grill, I think one of the many metal grill options that are available would help in the future.
 
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Old Aug 3, 2008 | 10:20 PM
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The vulnerable point where damage could easily be done is from the bottom of the front bumper.

I dented my A/C condenser last winter after sliding in the snow and ending nose first in a shallow ditch. A rock protruding from the bottom of this snow covered ditch poked up through my lower spoiler area (the black trim that attaches to the front bumper & lower grill), whacked the bottom of the A/C condenser (luckily the A/C still blows cold & doesn't leak), and cracked the radiator mount. The only protection for that portion of the condenser/radiator is the flimsy black plastic trim piece.
 
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Old Aug 4, 2008 | 08:59 AM
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89AKurt
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From: Prescott, AZ, USA

This is looking down after it happened. im1hapa is correct, the plastic bumper spoiler is the only thing covering it.

nabeshin, if you have to know... I was pulling onto a vacant lot in a subdivison, there was sort of a dip, and the bottom of the bumper pulled a fist sized round rock that was partially buried up, and viola! I've slid in the snow into ditches before, so this was a new one.
 
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Old Aug 4, 2008 | 12:10 PM
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nabeshin
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Ah, so it was dented and not an actual debris hole. I was confused. Yeah, I've broken one a/c condesor the way you mentioned and the MFE was all cracked up too. I had to replace both. The MFE is a real pain.
 
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