That really stinks

I'll probably get jumped on for this, but I don't understand why you're so angry at Honda.

You're out of warranty, right? (Assume it's 36/36). What if a rock damaged a headlight assy, or the windshield, or the radiator? No mfg. can "accident-proof" a vehicle.

Would you fault Goodyear if you ran over a nail?

Don't auto warranties (mfgr or otherwise) cover "failed" components, vs driving hazards? IDK?

Believe me, I'd be disappointed too, but I fail to see how this is the mfgr's fault.

" Sure makes a Chevrolet Cobalt look more attractive, doesn't it?"

Not at all. I drove one that our son was looking at last month, not impressed with it at all. The engine is noisy and not smooth , the manual shift was better in my 1975 Civic than this thing. I would never buy one. But I will concede that the air conditioner was nice.

Hey Phil, thanks for proving my point about Japanese Kool-Aid drinkers. Any manufacturer that designs a car that a regular rock (on alomst every road in this country) can strike and ruin a mechanical component should be BLASTED for inept engineering.

A car without an A/C isn't worth much. Funny you mention the shifting of a Cobalt. I think their transmissions are Japanese designed and manufactured!

Capn, if you haven't already, contact your insurance agent.

Philr, I am angry that it happened, NOT at Honda or my dealer.I realize Honda has no reason to repair it. I do not expect them to. I am however disapointed in the design and location of the compressor, which is obviously in a vulnerable location.

As usual, I try to post something, and I screw up wording and it never comes out like I planned.

Thanks

I'll sell you my 6th generation Civic but it is due for a timing belt soon.

Not sure what is involved with the replacement of the parts on my car. I read the service paperwork, and it says "System had no charge in it,evacuate system pressure would rise slowly indicating a leak. Added dye to system and .5 lbs. of refrigerent, ran for 15 min. checked with black light has hole in CONDENSER "

The tech told me compressor over the phone. I found OEM condenser's on line for as low as $95. I guess I need to find out how much of a pain it is to replace it, and if it needs anything else besides the condenser and refigerent. Then shop around for a better price. Dealer price on the 80102SVAA11 condenser was $216.61.

Condenser shouldn't be too bad. They typically have a flare connection. Getting under there to do it....

You are right WM. Not too hard to do. I found this DIY on a HondaTech site:

Have to remove the front bumper, 4 clips hold the bumper on, 2 10mm retaining bolts, and 2 10mm retaining bolts for the a/c pipe. Remove and replace condenser, fit the two A/C pipes to the condenser as square as possible. Have to be careful not to damage the seals when re-fitting. Then re-charge the system.

The entire system has to be completely empty before removing the A/C pipes. Do you think it is already empty since the dealer did his check ?

If he put 0.5# in it, there is probably still some residual.

More importantly, you will need to pull a vacuum on the system to get out all the air and moisture. Make sure you get refrigerant with oil, you've probably about bled the thing dry running it out.

I will not attempt this myself. I am no mechanic for sure. But, I at least now know what is involved, and can check with a buddy who has always worked on my import cars in the past. He will be much more reasonable than the dealer, and has the right equipment to do it. Dozens of posts on the Honda forum about punctured condensors. Dealer fix was anywhere from $700 to $1200. I think I can do better elsewhere. Thanks.

Capn:

Perhaps your buddy can fashion some sort of a shield so you won't re-visit this issue down the road sometime.

I thought of that too. Might be a possibility.

Probably doesn"t need to be much. Maybe just a piece of plastic, if the area isn't too hot, to absorb the impact.

The aluminum on the condenser is so thin/cheap, that a pea size pebble will damage it. It's right at the bottom of the front bumper, about 4 inches off the pavement. Just about anything would protect it better than it is now.

Disappointing, as I said earlier, that Honda has not come up with a fix for this, since it is a common and known problem.