What is this thing infront of my radiator? Do I need to replace it?
06-19-2012
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What is this thing infront of my radiator? Do I need to replace it?
Hi, I got an 2003 Acura EL. Had the car very first day from Dealer... and it is almost 10 years old.
I notices today something fell off from my radiator... it is like heat sink... 2 to 3 rolls of this stuffs already gone....
But if you look closer it isn't my radiator, my radiator is behind it.... This stuffs is in front of it... Please see the pictures below... You can see my Radiator though the holes...... What is it? Does it affect anything??? Do I need to replace it? Right now, nothing is wrong with my car... My friend told me this is just to protect my radiator from rocks chips...
Many Thanks...
I notices today something fell off from my radiator... it is like heat sink... 2 to 3 rolls of this stuffs already gone....
But if you look closer it isn't my radiator, my radiator is behind it.... This stuffs is in front of it... Please see the pictures below... You can see my Radiator though the holes...... What is it? Does it affect anything??? Do I need to replace it? Right now, nothing is wrong with my car... My friend told me this is just to protect my radiator from rocks chips...
Many Thanks...
Last edited by clmlo; 06-19-2012 at 07:34 PM.
06-19-2012
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06-19-2012
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If you think a good mechanic is expensive, try hiring a bad one
Re: What is this thing infront of my radiator? Do I need to replace it?
That IS the A/C condensor.
It is needed for the AC to do its job.
All those little fins that have been folded over are damaged too, they are supposed to be nice and straight so air can flow through them.
There are about a dozen folds (pleats?) on the right side of the bottom row in that pic that still look fairly straight.
It is NOT there to protect the radiator, although it does that job.
I have seen them lose the strips of fins like that, I had assumed it was due to debris and road salt that made them corrode and come loose.
I might wait until the AC quits cooling before I did anything, but you could call around and get an estimate to replace it just so you know what it is worth.
With all those fins bent over and missing, a fresh unit may let the AC work better.
HTH
It is needed for the AC to do its job.
All those little fins that have been folded over are damaged too, they are supposed to be nice and straight so air can flow through them.
There are about a dozen folds (pleats?) on the right side of the bottom row in that pic that still look fairly straight.
It is NOT there to protect the radiator, although it does that job.
I have seen them lose the strips of fins like that, I had assumed it was due to debris and road salt that made them corrode and come loose.
I might wait until the AC quits cooling before I did anything, but you could call around and get an estimate to replace it just so you know what it is worth.
With all those fins bent over and missing, a fresh unit may let the AC work better.
HTH
06-19-2012
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That IS the A/C condensor.
It is needed for the AC to do its job.
All those little fins that have been folded over are damaged too, they are supposed to be nice and straight so air can flow through them.
There are about a dozen folds (pleats?) on the right side of the bottom row in that pic that still look fairly straight.
It is NOT there to protect the radiator, although it does that job.
I have seen them lose the strips of fins like that, I had assumed it was due to debris and road salt that made them corrode and come loose.
I might wait until the AC quits cooling before I did anything, but you could call around and get an estimate to replace it just so you know what it is worth.
With all those fins bent over and missing, a fresh unit may let the AC work better.
HTH
It is needed for the AC to do its job.
All those little fins that have been folded over are damaged too, they are supposed to be nice and straight so air can flow through them.
There are about a dozen folds (pleats?) on the right side of the bottom row in that pic that still look fairly straight.
It is NOT there to protect the radiator, although it does that job.
I have seen them lose the strips of fins like that, I had assumed it was due to debris and road salt that made them corrode and come loose.
I might wait until the AC quits cooling before I did anything, but you could call around and get an estimate to replace it just so you know what it is worth.
With all those fins bent over and missing, a fresh unit may let the AC work better.
HTH
06-20-2012
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I just had my radiator and condensor replaced last week, thankfully the used car dealership where I bought my car 9 months ago was willing to help with it, both were cracked, but all in all $400. the condensor, installed, purged and charged was only bout $150-$160 of that at a regular shop that they use. 2 metal hoses are connected to the drivers side of the unit.
06-25-2012
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I am pretty sure it is the condenser... Now my AC is cold as hell in a cool day (25 C)... But last week when it is hot and humid (34 C)... and I driving in the city... the AC was cool but not cold... As soon as I get on the highway... my AC start to get cold...
I just wait till next Spring before I replace it.... Just try to get get another year of this....
I just wait till next Spring before I replace it.... Just try to get get another year of this....
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