Superb III - AC Condenser vulnerable to rocks?

[Schoda 206]

A few weeks back the AC condenser on my new 206Kw Superb was punctured by a rock. The dealer wanted $2500 (upfront???!!!) to repair it. Neither Skoda or the dealer were willing to help out at all.

In the end I found an independent repairer who fixed it with genuine parts for $1200. He was stunned at the dealer quote.

The honeycomb grill in front of the condenser is very open and it's easy to see how a rock could get in there. I've taken the precaution of fitting some finer plastic honeycomb behind the standard grill. It cuts down the size of the holes by about a quarter but still allows plenty of airflow.

I haven't seen any other reports of this happening to the new Superbs, so I may just have been unlucky. Either way it's a definite and expensive possibility (those air holes are huge). New Superb owners may want to consider putting in some screening as I did and be aware that Skoda will not help out at all. Skoda and the dealer have been seriously underwhelming during this whole process. Luckily the car is otherwise fantastic.

[2009fsi]

G'day Schoda 206,
You experience mirrors mine on an aircon issue with the 3TV6 I had before buying my 206. A punctured condenser & in my case, a compressor failure. The price quoted by my nearest Skoda dealer was close to $5k. My local auto electrician & aircon specialist installed genuine parts I bought in from the Europe myself. The all up cost being $2.6k.

As you say, the 2056 is a fantastic car. I continue to be very happy with mine. As for VAG/Skoda & their dealers; hopeless bloodsuckers.

[bego9]

New Superb owners may want to consider putting in some screening as I did and be aware that Skoda will not help out at all.

Hi, could you please let us know what and how do you use/apply this screening? thanks

[Schoda 206]

Hi, could you please let us know what and how do you use/apply this screening? thanks

Hi bego9,

I can tell you what I did but I'm no expert. There is a risk of extra screening reducing airflow and therefore the effectiveness of the condenser. So, instead of a fine mesh, I chose an ABS honeycomb material similar in shape to the grill on the car but with holes about half the size. Something similar to this:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Universal-Black-ABS-Plastic-Racing-Race-Honeycomb-Mesh-Grill-Spoiler-Bumper-Vent-/131621271373?hash=item1ea53d374d:g:JwAAAOSwFnFWFAZ m

To install it I cut a rectangular piece the size of the lower middle grill on the car, temporarily removed the plastic valence under the bumper and positioned the new piece up behind the existing grill where it sits quite securely. It's a bit tricky to get in place as there are a few rubber flaps to be negotiated. I also used about 6 small black cable ties to pull the new grill tight onto the existing grill for added security.

The result is hardly noticeable and reduces the size of any objects that can hit the condenser. My mechanic was confident that I'd reduced the risk of damage and that the airflow would still be fine.

[bego9]

Thanks for the info, I will check it out next time. I need to cover this area since my family likes to do camping and sometimes off road a little bit.
I was thinking last time to use the fly screen to cover it. Hopefully enough air to go in. Otherwise cut bigger wholes bit by bit.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/cyclone-1220mm-x-2-05m-aluminium-insect-screen_p4110400

I need to check it out next time when I've got the car. Still waiting 8 weeks. Thanks again for sharing.

Edit: this one looks more appropriate.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Universal-Car-Vehicle-Aluminum-Grille-Grill-Net-Hood-Side-Vents-Mesh-40-x-13-/201079702769?hash=item2ed148c4f1:g:BqAAAOxy7nNTWyg O


http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/40-x13-Black-Universal-Aluminum-Vehicle-Car-Body-Grille-Net-Mesh-Grill-Section-/322166670009?hash=item4b02a142b9:g:8MwAAOSwnNBXbNj E

[bego9]

I am thinking to get either one of below:

Universal CAR Vehicle Aluminum Grille Grill NET Hood Side Vents Mesh 40" X 13" | eBay

or

40"X13" Black Universal Aluminum Vehicle CAR Body Grille NET Mesh Grill Section | eBay

edit: I accidentally deleted my own post just now.

[blueSup]

I got to thinking about how exposed the condenser is. There's quite a wide area under the numberplate holder (you can't call it a bumper bar) but it has a lattice in front of it. I wouldn't expect it to stop small projectiles, but certainly anything bigger than the lattice holes.





So I had a look at an old 1990's Commodore.



Funnily enough it has a gap about the same size but with no covering at all!




Could it be that the VAG part is, ummm, delicate?
Speaking to a mate that fixes vehicle air con he doesn't get many old Holdens in with shot condensers.

Schoda, you must have been really unlucky to hole it.