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We had our 1+ yr old Odyssey AC damaged recently. Ended up paying ~$750. Dealer says that if any grill installation heats the system, then the warrenty would be void. Any guidance on that ?
Has anyone gotten Honda or Insurance company to pay for these damages ?
Parmod.
I installed a McGrill on my 2006 EX-L after reading posts about rocks taking out the A/C. Last weekend we drove west from Spokane where the temp got up to 109F. Temperature gage did not move from normal and it was very pleasant in the van.
The grill install is interesting. They provide nylon ties to install the grill which I could not figure out how to use and probably would not have wanted to anyway. I think if you removed the bumper, the install would be easy. I did not remove the bumper. I purchased bolts with a J on one end like a cup hook. I used the J end to attach to the cross members of the grill in the bumper and ran the bolts through the McGrill and bolted it down that way. I used locking nuts and cut the ends of the bolts off after the install and covered the nuts with the plastic dip used for dipping tool handles. It looks good and is solidly attached. When I originally installed this grill last year I posted that the curve of the grill did not match the front of the van. When one end of the grill is installed in the correct location, the other end was sticking out about 4-5". The only way that I managed to attach the end sticking out was because I purchased very long J bolts (ca. 6") and was able to pull the end of the grill in using the nuts before cutting the bolts off.
The grill looks great and is quite solid. If something goes through this grill, you would be worried about more than a hole in your A/C.
Did you buy the mesh already?
Thanks.
odygrille
Thanks again.....
-Thanks.
Hypercore
I took a look at the lower grill and couldn't figure out how to install a screen behind the grill. Can you post the installation steps for installing the gutter guard? Pictures are good too if available.
Thanks in advanced.
I did the gutter guard fix this weekend. I took some pics but haven't uploaded them anywhere yet. I too was aprehensive of doing this, but it really was very easy. There are a series of black buttons on top of the plastic cover that covers the radiator, when you open the hood the cover is flush with the front of the engine compartment. It has appoximately 10-12 black plastic button rivots that hold the cover on. You simply pop them up with a flat screwdriver, do this gently as you don't want to break them or lose them in the engine compartment. Once you pop them out, they are comprised of two parts a male and female piece. Then remove the upper grill, this is the one that has the Honda 'H' on it. There are only three of the same plastic rivets holding it in place, use the same method to remove them, then you will see directly into the area behind the lower grill and in front of the a/c tubing and radiator front. Every thing reassembles by just popping the plastic rivets back into place. Note that there were two of the rivets on the radiator cover that were longer than the others, I made sure to note where they were located so as to put them back into the correct location.
Hope this helps, when I get the pics uploaded I will come back and edit this post with a link.
p.s. Thanks to everyone that contributed to this thread, it made things go very smoothly.
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I just need to down load them from the camera, will try to do so this week.
Regards,
Chim
Chim's CarSpace Photo Album
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I had some issues with the company and the grille though. It took them over 2 weeks to ship the grille out eventhough I paid immediately after winning the auction (auction states they ship one business day after payment
The grille is made from pretty tough aluminum and it does give the van a "sportier" look. You have to gently bend the grille a little so that it fits perfectly into the bumper. I found the tie straps to be adequate but it would've been easier to use longer ones and then cutting off the excess.
Keep in mind that you need to modify the original front license plate holder if you want to still use it. You'll need to cut about a inch and half from the bottom supports and then zip tie that down as well.
If I could do it over again I probably would've gone Chim's route. It's a lot cheaper, I wouldn't have had to go through the hassle of waiting for the grille, and I wouldn't have had to modify the license plate holder.
Just wanted to post my experience.
I want to thank you for your photos. They help understanding what is involved very greatly. Not sure how I will break it to my wife that I should consider tearing the front of her new van apart to do this homemade fix.
What were they thinking? All they need are a couple more strategically placed horizontal ribs on the upper and lower grills and there wouldn't be any issue. Heck, they could issue a retrofit that just mounts on the uprights and be done with it.
But, here's a new one for you guys. Did any of you notice that it will be entirely possible for a bird to go right through the top grill assembly and puncture the AC core?
Not kidding here. I've already had to pry dead birds from the front grills of my other cars. I can slide my hand in there completely and touch the core. I can't do it with any other car or van in the neighborhood.
Has anyone added a similar gutter guard fix to the upper grill???
hondaoddity, I did read about some folks applying the mesh to the upper grill as well on one of the other threads or on another forum. I didn't do it myself, it seems less likely to be damaged than the lower area, but I did see the openings up there where it could happen. It would be really easy to apply it to the upper grill as well while you are in there.
Reading of these Odyssey issues, I took a good look at my new 2006 Grand Caravan, and found that DaimlerChrysler had the good sense to place a very well designed deep black honeycomb "grille" in the same area you guys are putting aftermarket grilles and gutter guard. Makes it virtually impossible for a stone to get to the condenser. Also the upper grill openings are well protected.
Seems Honda made a definite design error here, and should respond and come up with a factory fix, retrofittable to shipped units, and should add additional guards at the factory for future shipped vehicles as well.
There are two versions discussed on here. One is an aftermarket manufactured aluminum grill that can be purchased online via ebay or direct from the vendor Mr. Grille.
The other is a 'do it yourself' method, which is what my pictures illustrate, however the removal of the radiator cover and the top grill would probably be useful if going with the Mr. Grille version as well.
As far as the 'do it yourself' method, you can buy all necessary supplies at your local hardware/home center. I purchased mine at Home Depot.
I used the following supplies:
1 approx 5"x36" piece of metal gutter guard cost was approx $1.50 (Lowes had it as well however they only sold it in 5 piece packs) You can find this in the gutter supply section
1 Package of 40 Black 4" zip ties cost was probably $2.00
1 spray paint can of flat black Rustoleum, this was probably $4.00
There is not a border with the 'do it yourself' version, I do not know about the Mr. Grille version although from what I have seen it is a single insert.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Chim
Glad it worked for you. I didn't try the upper grill. I did read where someone drilled very small diamter holes on the back side of the lower grill to anchor the gutter guard material using the zip ties, I think they did this to minimize the visibility of the ties, but perhaps that would be an option with the upper grill as well from the standpoint of securing it better.
Where did you order your "grill" from? Could you provide any photos as well?
Thinking about this fix more in depth, I'm wondering what's going to happen when snow finally gets here. Anyone think this screen we're adding might seal itself up with ice?
Looking at some exploded drawings of the front end of the Odyssey, it seems as though the lower bumper/front end assembly is literally just hanging on the front of the van with just a couple of clips holding it on. Along that same thinking with ice build up, would there be any significant weight picked up with this possible icing?
Fred
I have driven in some fierce snow/sleet storms and never had a problem with a build up that caused the temp gauge to rise. I would think that radiant heat from the radiator would keep the grill area free. I have had my headlights covered with frozen slush in years past but never the grill area.
I, ve never had a problem with rocks piercing condenser ,but just wanted to change the look of my van.
One of the options was grille from Canadian company called Cloud -Rider.com. They've got really nice product, but I think "little too expensive". So i chose MR. Grille. As i expected it took about 2 weeeks to get it. Unfortunately my Odyssey got front spoiler, which overlaps the bumper and goes in the openning. that's why my job wasn't easy. I had to make a cardboard pattern first to make sure it fits right, after that i just transfer that to grille and trimmed it with jigsaw. Let me tell you one thing. The T6 aluminium is really hard! :-). after finishing with sandpaper all I had to do seemed to be easy. But tie strips they sent with grille didin't work. So i took another trip to Lowes and bougt the right one. Pictures of work i did and my car are here:
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2476079
unfortunately I don't have any pictures from installation but wanna thanks for all people from this forum/topic for opinions and suggestions
If you got any questions just send me e-mail. I'll be more than happy to help.
they sold me side skirts as well, which were installed on saturday.Took about 20 minutes. very easy job :-) didn't have a chance to make a picture yet. I'll try to post more pictures soon.
I'm not going to put rear spoiler because one simple reason. I don't like it. :-). My idea was to change look of the car just a little bit . I'm not a fan of extreme mods.
instead of aluminum grill, i used 1/2" chicken wire painted black and i used door edge trim to keep the sharp edges of the grill from scratching me, the car and possibly rattling.
are 1/2" square holes small enough to prevent damage or do i need something smaller?
Just ordered the Mr. Grille yesterday and it should be here by mid-next week. Love the look and, eventhough you "do-it-yourselfers" have done a marvelous job using painted gutter guard, etc., I don't think anything beats the look of the Mr. Grille.
Thanks for the great information and for bringing this issue to my attention sooner than later
I would imagine the 1/2" is fine. Since doing all of this I look at a lot of other vehicles lower grill areas and the diamter of the grating on many are probably in the 1/2" range.
Looking forward to putting it on the wife's van this Saturday.
Now that I have seen one with my own eyes, I would highly recommend this product
also, i took out the 1/2" and installed the 1/4" chicken wire. painted black, you have to look really hard to even see it.
Just bought a 2007 Honda Odyssey and came across a few threads about rocks going through the front grille.
I'm trying to view your photos to see if my 2007 would need the same screen, but the link doesn't work.
Would you mind posting the photos again.
Thanks in advance!