Road Damage to Condenser Very Costly - Bad Design Topic is solved

JD in Berkeley, CA · Post by **JD in Berkeley, CA** » 07 Apr 2003, 17:22

I have a 2002 XC. The AC went out and it was due to a small rock striking the condenser. It is prone to be easily damaged due to the very wide opening in the front just above road level. there is no grill work to protect it. The dealer informed me that it would be over $800 to repair and
is not covered by the warranty since it is road damage.

It is so open to road debris that it is hard to imagine it won't happen again.
This is a very serious design flaw. Anyone have a similar problem and did Volvo pick up the costs and install a grill?

I saw in another forum that grills were installed on older models to rectify similar problems.

Volvord · Post by **Volvord** » 07 Apr 2003, 18:12

This design is not unique to Volvo, rock damage to AC condensors is a typical problem on many vehicles. The AC condensor has the highest thermal requirements and is therefore mounted in front of all other cooling components (rad, intercooler, etc. )

Your point about protecting the condensor is a very good one and it is recommended that a course wire screen be installed in front of the condensor. But use a course screen with about 1/4" openings, finer screen will not allow enough airflow and AC performance and overheating may occur.

Volvord 784VC
http://www.telusplanet.net/public/gilesij/Volvord/

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 09 Apr 2003, 13:19

Volvord

Thanks for your reply. I know that the condenser problem is occurs in other makes of cars, but if you look at most other cars, and I have been looking, it is difficult to find one with anything approaching the size of the opening on the Volvo XC. It is over 2 feet wide, 1/3 of a foot high, and rides a mere foot above the road. There are only two vertical struts within this area. I think the design is very poor anc could easily have been better. This is not something for a rocket scientist to work out. Thanks again.