I own a 2003 Mazda Protege 5, 45000km. Three months ago the air conditioning stopped working and I was recently told by a Mazda dealership that a rock has come through the large holes in the bottom grill of the car, causing a hole in the condenser and all the freon has leaked out. The cost to fix is $1500 with no guarantee another rock will not enter the same way. Most Mazda cars have this large holed grill in front.
I took this to Mazda Canada and they have stated that it is not a design flaw, but an extremely rare occurrence and I was told it is a cause of everyday driving.
I am wondering, is this a common occurrence on any cars? I want to purchase the Mazda 5 but now refuse to do to this.
Also, is there a way to protect the grill with a guard or mesh once I fix the air conditioning. Mazda Canada had no suggestions. Thank you
2007-10-06 01:36:27 · 4 answers · asked by Jreid 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Mazda
On almost any car there is a risk of damage to the condenser or the radiator. You should be able to make some sort of shield with some heavy gage mesh wire.
$1500 seems rather steep for the repair. You might check for a condenser and receiver/drier from a wrecked car, them just pay for instillation and evacuation and recharge.
2007-10-06 04:03:46 · answer #1 · answered by the mazda mechanic 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not common, but not unheard of. Lowes sells an insulation wire mesh that has roughly 1/8-1/4 inch holes and is fairly malleable. This can be installed with relative ease over the condenser without sacrificing the factory appearance. Other aftermarket grilles can be found in ready supply. The price you paid I'm assuming was at the dealer.
2007-10-08 17:53:41 · answer #2 · answered by joe c 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just look to may display picture.... and i have a protege 5 too and never that thing happens to me but..... all cars has the same problem, in any time a rock can make your day
but you can get the wire mesh using for bug screens is very small wire mesh but what happens to you now not necessary will happens again and it is not a bad engenieer in the desing of the car just bad luck
2007-10-06 04:51:54 · answer #3 · answered by MazdaTech_PR 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might be able to find a custom insert for this area. I know that a rock guard is available for the Miata's. I put one in one of mine.
But it is only a piece of expanded metal cut to fit.
I am sure you could make one yourself for less, and maybe even work out a way to market them.
2007-10-06 01:46:19 · answer #4 · answered by teamepler@verizon.net 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋