Crap! ---> Those who don't have front grill inserts, better get them!

[static]

My AC has stopped working. I brought it into Toyota, they say I have a hole in my condensor... and it will cost me $1100 to fix!!!!!! Does this sound right?

[jotan82]

not covered under warrenty???

that's expensive:eek:

why don't you try other shops? other places that specilize in A/C systems... it should definately be cheaper

[soceur]

the euro spec celicas come with grill inserts standard. They even put one on for me with out my knowledge when they saw i didnt have it with one. I was washing the car and was like wtf who did this. But im glad its there and it doesnt look bad.

hope things work out for ya bro

Lau'San

[Da Kine Guy]

way ahead of you there :)

I have a big ass dent in my condensor that happened before my grill went in, so that sped up the process a bit

[static]

Originally posted by jotan82
not covered under warrenty???

that's expensive:eek:

why don't you try other shops? other places that specilize in A/C systems... it should definately be cheaper

Nope, I have 45K miles.. but my transmission problem and a leaky gasket in my engine are....

This stinks.

Hey, any way I could just patch this thing!?!

[Blue Bomber]

And some people think grills are all for show! ;) I've had my lower grill dented a few times by unknown debris (easily bent back out :) ). I wonder what my condenser would've looked like after a few of those... :eek:

[LBCelica2KI]

Originally posted by static
My AC has stopped working. I brought it into Toyota, they say I have a hole in my condensor... and it will cost me $1100 to fix!!!!!! Does this sound right?


My condensor damage came to $950 and it is not covered under warrenty because it was not a mecanical or manufacturer defect. The grill is the best investment I've done so far since then. No you cannot patch it up since the holes are too big.

[HilfigerCelica]

For $1.37, I'd say the front grille is the cheapest protection you can get.

[autxr]

It is not a warranty issue, but it IS an insurance issue. THe company should cover it under comprehensive less your deductible.

Yes, your rates may go up more than the cost of the repair.

I'd price an AC condensor (call the parts counter at Toyota) just to see what they are reaming you for on labor. You could also get a junkyard replacement (make sure it was a rear end collision).

Scott

[Dealer Xing]

I put it on soon after I got the car. You know why JDM and Euro cars get better equipment? It's because they sell by low volumes there compared to the US. If it costs $10 to put the grille in by Toyota that means they will spend a lot of money on all USDM Celicas. That's why features like Auto-A/C; Electric foldable mirrors; Factory LSD; Super Strut Suspension; power antenna are deleted from US lineup.

[Slant]

Same thing happened to me. They quoted me around $1k.
So I went through my insurance and just paid the deductable.

[bumpyride]

is the factory grille on 2002 GTS enough to protect debris from damaging it ?

the stock grille as you know have pretty big holes that allow for pennies to fly through - hence my concern, it's not like the home-made grille that you get from Home Depot :

Stock Grille (http://www.telusplanet.net/public/jeffcruz/celica/2002grille_install/)

Home-made grille (http://www.newcelica.org/other/installs/grillcraftgrill/index.htm)

what do you think ?

[Xlr8_10]

wow, ive never thought of that... i havent used my ac in months because it hasnt been cold here. every now n then i try it on the occasional warm day n it takes forever to get cold. well.. it never actually really gets cold, so i usually just end up rolling down my window. how do i check if my condensor is busted??

..its amazing the stuff you learn here sometimes..

[AkUmA]

yikes!:AF:

welp, looks like im getting a grill for the front. cheap grill?- or $1100 new condensor... cheap grill.

just look'd at mine, it was little dents, but nothing major.

[QWKsilvr808]

Take it somewhere else to have the condensor replaced. I've had this job done on a couple of my cars, and it's always cost me half what you're being quoted.

[jer925]

i would never get a used condenser. A/C systems are delicate systems to say the least. Where i worked we did a/c work on our fleet of trucks. you can't patch them cause there is about 300 psi in that condenser. if it don't leak at the condenser its almost always at the pump.

[WillyWonka]

Damn, I'd get a lower grill if MBAutosport would get their phones working. I'm sitting on an order for a full Kaminari kit with the lower grill going in on install. After hearing this, my condenser is now cursed.

[oo_snoopy]

I work on car A/C systems, that sounds about right. Just be happy your compressor didn't go out.

[oo_snoopy]

[quote]wow, ive never thought of that... i havent used my ac in months because it hasnt been cold here. every now n then i try it on the occasional warm day n it takes forever to get cold. well.. it never actually really gets cold, so i usually just end up rolling down my window. how do i check if my condensor is busted??[quote]

The only way to check is to add nitrogen and freon to you system. Then you can use $400 leek checkers to try and find it. Or look for a really big hole.

[GulfCoastGTS]

Man whats up with you guys and grills? Just go ahead and spend the $6000 already and get the Blitz S/C, the huge ass intercooler should cover the condenser nicely, plus it looks a hella lot better than a grill. :p

[VVTL-i-KiCkIn]

i thought it was a radiator, in that hole.. I don't see anything but radiator..
I mean how weak is that condensor built?..

[FriedRice]

wait is this the upper grille or the lower grille.. so ur saying we should all get the lower grille done? so confused. :confused:

[VGTS01]

i better goget my ass a grill before i gotta fork out 1100 for that thing u guys are talking about. Now i gotta look for one, or put one together myself

[LBCelica2KI]

The 02 grill is just fine. I have it on mine. Its alot less noticable since it sits farthur back then the mesh grills. I was quite surprised toyota didn't make it standard. Once you have the grill on its amazing what you find under there sometimes.

[RedNOSceli]

Originally posted by FriedRice
wait is this the upper grille or the lower grille.. so ur saying we should all get the lower grille done? so confused. :confused:

Yeah, you need to get the lower grill...the upper grill doesnt protect anything that I can see...

[Blue Bomber]

Originally posted by VVTL-i-KiCkIn
i thought it was a radiator, in that hole.. I don't see anything but radiator..
I mean how weak is that condensor built?.. The condenser sits directly in front of the radiator. They look almost exactly the same, but I think the condenser is thinner.

I don't this has anything to do with the actual strength of the condenser, just where it's positioned. Most cars usually have the bumper in front of the condenser with a few little openings for air. Plus they aren't as low as our cars. While our cars have a big opening up front which is less than a foot off the ground.

I'm surprised Toyota didn't release their front grill in 2000, because you can see the bumper was made to accept a grill (little mounting points and other things that just look out of place).

[Pimp Daddy Dave]

I just took my 2000 GT to the shop yesterday, they quoted me $1200 to fix the compressor.

Where do I get one of those front grilles?

[Blue Bomber]

Originally posted by Pimp Daddy Dave
Where do I get one of those front grilles? Well, you can get Grillcraft's lower grill (http://www.grillcraft.com/applications/toyota.html) for about $100, Toyota's lower grill (http://www.wctoyotasport.com/Parts/Toyota/53112-20260.htm) for about $50, or my lower grill (http://www.newcelica.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11851) for $24. I also sell a matching upper grill ($8) and rear grill ($16), unlike Toyota and Grillcraft. :)

[jer925]

your right blue bomber the condenser is thinner then the radaitor. the fact of the matter is it is made out of aluminim to help in the heat transfer becauce that is how the air condition works. but think about it, if a little rock comes flying from out in under the tire from the guy in fromt of you and he is going 60 mph the condenser in going to take that 60 mph hit and like i said it's usually aluminim and damage will be done.

[Blue Bomber]

Yeah, before I made my grills, I was checking out how nasty the condenser looked. A few dents and bent fins here and there, and a load of dead bugs. My friend has a '79 Nova, and my condenser looked like it was in the same condition as that car's. :eek:

[z6joker9]

i used to have a grill but i took it off cause it looked like ass... i've seen some that look good but mine didn't.

if i get a hole in my condenser, then oh well.... i needed an excuse to strip the a/c anyway :)

[jer925]

yea blue bomber, the bugs and road grime really make a difference in the a/c performance. it has to able to recieve a good supply of air from the front of the vechicle. as a matter of fact when i wash my car i make it a point to just take the hose over the fins to get all the junk i can get out of there.

[yakkosmurf]

I definitely recommend getting something. That was my first comment to my friend when he brought his new Celica by for the first time. I told him he needed to get something to protect the condenser from rocks since it was just sitting out in the open. I've used a black mesh that I've hung a few inches in front of the condenser. It's cheap and you can't really see it unless you get in front of the car and look.

[Jesse IL]

Originally posted by jer925
your right blue bomber the condenser is thinner then the radaitor. the fact of the matter is it is made out of aluminim to help in the heat transfer becauce that is how the air condition works.

I'm sorry man but this is just plain wrong. AC condensors are made out of aluminum for light weight, that's the only reason. Without getting too technical, heat is transfered by three mechanisms: conduction, convection and radiation. Radiation is only significant if there is a large temperature difference, which isn't the case here. Conduction and convection are going to be roughly the same regardless of material and are related mostly to surface area. As far as the condensor acting as a heat sink, a cast iron condensor would be much more effective because cast iron has a higher heat capacity than aluminum, which is why its used for brakes.

[HilfigerCelica]

I think you're wrong Jesse, aluminum would dissipate heat better than cast iron and also lighter. I think that's the reason why the A/C condensor is made out of aluminum.

[yakkosmurf]

Ok, someone look up the heat transfer coefficients for cast iron and aluminum...

[jer925]

why do you think race cars use a aluminum radaitor for cooling the engine. the heat transfer is better. same goes for air to air(intercooler) all the ones i have seen are made out of aluminum. i don't know maybe i'm wrong.

jesse is right cast iron does have a (higher heat capacity) that is correct. BUT cast iron cannot "dissipate" heat like aluminum can and that is the idea of a condenser in an air condition system. the rapid change of the freon from hot coming out of the compressor till it comes out of the condenser is cooled way down. and that is what we want.

[Jesse IL]

Originally posted by HilfigerCelica
I think you're wrong Jesse, aluminum would dissipate heat better than cast iron and also lighter. I think that's the reason why the A/C condensor is made out of aluminum.

Why would aluminum dissipate heat better than cast iron?Aluminum is lighter and is easy to fabricate. Radiators, AC condensors, intercoolers, etc rely on very high surface area work. 99% of the heat transfer is by convection, which only relies on the surface temperature (eidt: and surface area) of the metal, not the material.

Nothing "dissipates" heat, it absorbs heat from one source and transfers it to another source.

[static]

UPDATE: My 2nd and 3rd gear synchros were shot... so they are getting replaced under warranty. Also had a leaky gasket in my engine which is being replaced under warrant. I filed an insurance claim for the Condensor... so we shall seee.. I will hear from Allstate today or tomarrow.

Either way, I'm out of a car till at least Wednesday. :angry:

[David Draper]

I know this is about a year late, but you all can get your grilles at http://www.wctoyotasport.com/Parts/Toyota/53112-20260.htm

David

[yakkosmurf]

Originally posted by static


Either way, I'm out of a car till at least Wednesday. :angry:
It's over 90 degrees down here. If my A/C wasn't working, I wouldn't want it back until then anyway. I'd rather stay cool in the loaner...

[pencil21]

I actually just had my condenser replaced due to road debris kicking into it. Car-X spotted the problem and called around and discovered that only Toyota makes the part and no aftermarket condensor exists as of yet. I was told by Car-X the part was $700, plus whatever installation. I bought an extended warranty with the car so I took it back to Toyota who proceeded to charge me an additional $175 to tell me the it was indeed the condensor that needed to be replaced, which they did completely under the warranty. I am quite happy with the work, but I am thankful that it was covered under warranty.

Bottom line, it sounds like unless you are still under manufacturers warranty or bought an extended one, you are SOL

[2002GT_Celica]

Yeah, when I got my car I was looking into getting a used GT, but I found out that they didn't have the lower grille later. It wasn't the only factor in my purchase, but I thought it was interesting that they started putting grilles on the Celi in 2002 but not the two years prior. When I asked my dealership why, they told me it was to avoid problems like yours. I feel sorry for you though since it really should be covered under warranty.

[Camry2000]

Originally posted by Jesse IL


Why would aluminum dissipate heat better than cast iron?Aluminum is lighter and is easy to fabricate. Radiators, AC condensors, intercoolers, etc rely on very high surface area work. 99% of the heat transfer is by convection, which only relies on the surface temperature (eidt: and surface area) of the metal, not the material.

Nothing "dissipates" heat, it absorbs heat from one source and transfers it to another source.

Aluminum loses heat quicker as it is porus and much less dense than say steel. Thus allowing more heat to disperse into the surrounding environment.

Porusness helps as you want as much surface area exposed as possible. This is why there are so many fins on your radiator.

[teknophreak]

OK people, let's get some fact here...
Thermal conductivity: A measure of the rate at which heat is transferred through a material (i.e. the larger the number, the faster the heat will go through, equalizing for the same thickness and exposed surface area of material).

Aluminum = 0.57 and Iron = 0.19 (Units are nasty, so don't ask) Suffice to say that for a given size and shape hunk of metal, heat will transfer through aluminum 3 times faster than through iron. Now this is for pure elements, but alloys are similar. Cast iron is the same as elamental, while aluminum alloy actually goes up (0.67). 304 stainless steel, on the other hand goes WAY down (0.072).

Also, aluminum is 1/3 the weight of iron. So race carws and all other high =tech applications use it over iron because it's lighter AND more efficient at heat transfer.

As for using iron/steel over aluminum in brakes and such, the rate of thermal expansion for aluminum is 2x that of iron/steel. I would figure it would warp at a lower temperature, so it wouldn't be as good a choice.

Class dismissed:cool:


Of course all through this class in school I was like :wtf: :confused: :AF:

** All numbers courtesy of "The Science and Engineering of Materials" Third edition

[Camry2000]

Originally posted by teknophreak
Aluminum = 0.57 and Iron = 0.19 (Units are nasty, so don't ask) Suffice to say that for a given size and shape hunk of metal, heat will transfer through aluminum 3 times faster than through iron. Now this is for pure elements, but alloys are similar. Cast iron is the same as elamental, while aluminum alloy actually goes up (0.67). 304 stainless steel, on the other hand goes WAY down (0.072).


Exactly! Think of aluminum as a heat sink.

[Kry]

oh **** my ac stopped working a month ago.. and i was too lazy to take it to the shop... God Bless me

[gibba]

Originally posted by teknophreak

Aluminum = 0.57 and Iron = 0.19 (Units are nasty, so don't ask) Suffice to say that for a given size and shape hunk of metal, heat will transfer through aluminum 3 times faster than through iron. Now this is for pure elements, but alloys are similar. Cast iron is the same as elamental, while aluminum alloy actually goes up (0.67). 304 stainless steel, on the other hand goes WAY down (0.072).


blah blah blah aluminum this iron that... if you wanted somthing to really transfer some heat they would make the condenser out of copper.. which has almost DOUBLE the ability to transfer heat over aluminum... :)

Material Thermal Conductivity
silver 422 W/mK
copper 402 W/mK
gold 298 W/mK
aluminium 226 W/mK
steel 73.3 W/mK
lead 34.8 W/mK

[yakkosmurf]

Originally posted by gibba

blah blah blah aluminum this iron that... if you wanted somthing to really transfer some heat they would make the condenser out of copper.. which has almost DOUBLE the ability to transfer heat over aluminum... :)

Material Thermal Conductivity
silver 422 W/mK
copper 402 W/mK
gold 298 W/mK
aluminium 226 W/mK
steel 73.3 W/mK
lead 34.8 W/mK
Care to add some prices to this list...

Btw, where's iron?

[blahx]

isnt iron like horrible with heat transfer?