Unresilient Air Con Condenser

[monkeytennis]

I was just cleaning the ACC sensor on the front of our 27 month old GTD and was astonished to see how much damage the air con condenser has taken after just 24k miles. It looks almost as bad as one that end up holed on my Octavia VRS after 93k miles. Has anyone else seen such damage? Most of the mileage has been motorway so it's not hit frequent stone chips, this would suggest to me a rather fragile part to be situated in such a vunerable position. Interested to hear if anyone else has seen such wear.

[fredgroves]

That's pretty grim!

My cars normally go back after 3 years and 90k and nearly all of them in recent years have had holed AC condensers towards the end and always an argument about who's fault that is.

On initial inspection shortly after getting it, I didn't believe my GTD was going to have as many problems... but I've not been brave enough to look.

Seem to remember Audi owners having a massive moan about holed AC though...

[p3asa]

Most of the mileage has been motorway so it's not hit frequent stone chips, this would suggest to me a rather fragile part to be situated in such a vunerable position.

I've not checked mine but will do now.
I would have thought motorway driving would have given you the most stone chips?!

[robtt]

I have read elsewhere it is possible to buy  mesh protectors to give some protection to the condenser  .But whether you can get one for a Gti I have no idea

[robtt]

Just googled the problem and a bloke on a Renault forum has used "galvanised mosquito mesh" with plastic ties to fix it on.Mosquito mesh is seemingly an American product. I will investigate this evening !

[fredgroves]

The design argument is always that you need maximum airflow for the AC to work vs you need small enough holes to prevent stone damage.

The hexagonal grill on the Mk7 goes some way - better than the Audi one at least, but..

The other design flaw in other vehicles always was that apart from the front grill, a lot of cars are open to the road at the bottom of the engine bay. I don't think the Mk7 is like that.

If you are going to add mesh, just be careful that you don't go too fine and impede the air flow...

[Organisys]

Mt Mk5 one was replaced at ~100k miles. Needs more protection.

[linc-dub]

My former car a 63 plate GTD had to have a new condenser @ 18 months old as it had been holed!

[Sootchucker]

This got me worried so I just checked mine  - 2½ years old and over 20,000 miles, doesn't look too bad really ?

[joe6]

I learnt a while ago when I has an Astra coupe that it pays to put a small grid screen behind the grill and make sure it does not get clogged with insects.