Protecting AC Condenser ES350

[Gebo]

Apparently with the grille on the Lexus 360’s, rocks are getting in and puncturing the AC Condenser. It happened to mine and thank goodness, I have a great service mgr. I’m getting it repaired under warranty. But at some point, I won’t have a warranty. Are any type of shields available? Should I try and make one?

 

[97prizm]

Apparently with the grille on the Lexus 360’s, rocks are getting in and puncturing the AC Condenser. It happened to mine and thank goodness, I have a great service mgr. I’m getting it repaired under warranty. But at some point, I won’t have a warranty. Are any type of shields available? Should I try and make one?

Here's a link from an RSX forum that shows how to make a cheap DIY mesh cover for the A/C condenser. I'm seeing page after page on this issue for Lexus and Acura vehicles.
Diy mesh cover

 

[researcher]

Apparently with the grille on the Lexus 360’s, rocks are getting in and puncturing the AC Condenser. It happened to mine and thank goodness, I have a great service mgr. I’m getting it repaired under warranty. But at some point, I won’t have a warranty. Are any type of shields available? Should I try and make one?

Yup, I completely agree with @97prizm. I did this mod awhile ago when I had my 96 Civic. You can get the leaf gutter guard metal mesh from Home Depot. I ended up getting thin rubber vacuum tubing, slicing it down the middle, sliding it over all edges of the metal mesh, that way it wouldn't rub or vibrate. I attached it using outdoor UV resistant plastic zip ties to the existing supports of the bumper cover. And yes I took the bumper cover off to attach it. It never affected the air flow for the radiator or the a/c condenser. And when looking at it up close, you could see all the rocks and debris it stopped from hitting anything inside! The first one lasted about 10 years until the rubber and zip ties started to fall apart. Not bad for a couple bucks! And it's the best protection you can have, I thought it was awesome.

Also I took tin snips to cut any attachment points off that's meant for the gutter, leaving me with a nice clean metal mesh.

Plus it doesn't look bad. Back in the day I was able to get silver but looks like they only have black and it's powdercoated now! Comes it 3 foot strips, I like the metal over the plastic, more air flow.. here's a link to what I used

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Amerima...lack-Metal-Mesh-Gutter-Guard-6360X2/205207064