A/C condenser disintegration

[RealWing]

The A/C fins on our 2003 Accord are VERY soft and have been damaged from normal road debris. No - I dont drive on gravel roads. There is approx 9000 KM on the odometer. Vehicle was purchased in Nov 2002.

In addition, the fins are debonding from the tubes. It is literally falling apart!!!

The dealer wants it asap to send to Honda R&D.

Has anyone else seen this ?? It is not a place that one normally looks!!!

[RealWing]

This is a photo showing the fins separated from the bottom support and from the bottom tube. As you can see- there are chunks of fins missing.

[hondacuraworld]

I've never seen anything like that :confused:

The only thing that I could think of that would cause such a thing is either a weak alloy, or bare aluminum?? Let us know what you dealer says, I'm curious to find out.

[RealWing]

I'm not the only one with this problem. Two more examples were posted at the Temple of VTEC web site when I checked on the weekend. http://www.vtec.net/

[accordfan]

I seem to be in the beginning stages of the condenser breaking apart. The car is just over 6 months old. At this rate, the whole thing will be broken up! Does anyone have a response from Honda regarding this?

[RealWing]

I'm taking my Accord to dealer next week to get a new condenser. Will post an update after I talk to dealer and look at new condenser.

[accordfan]

Sounds good. I am looking forward to your report.

[Wardsweb]

Yes looks like manufacturer defect. Either the unit wasn't heated enough to flow solder or they just didn't use enough solder. In either case, it was built wrong.

[RealWing]

I had the condenser changed last week. The Service Manager didnt have any info on any design changes that Honda is making. He had talked to the factory rep and he was non commital. The new one looks the same as the old one. It does have a sticker on the top right side with the following info:
80110-SDA-A01
25YP*
Showa Aluminum America

I didnt notice if the old one had a sticker or not. Can someone check theirs to see if the p/n is the same????

[accordfan]

My part # is 80100-SDA-A011-M1

I am thinking mine was produced earlier? Good to see that yours was replaced. Did you have any problems getting it replaced? Mine is not as bad as yours was, so I do not know if I should have the dealer look at it.

Andy

[RealWing]

I didnt have any trouble with dealer. I did see another post where dealer convinced someone that it was "road damage" - which was not covered by warranty!!! Dont let them tell you that!!