Honda Odyssey Grille Insert

hester

I wish I had read this thread before I took my trip last week. I was on vacation and we lost cool air north of Dallas. I took it to a Honda dealer in Joplin MO and he quoted $575 for the repair. We drove back to IL with no air because we did not want to wait for the repair. I took it to my mechanic since "it is not under warranty", and he quoted $675. It sounds like both of those were actually good deals. I am going to complain to Honda. I read in one the many threads that someone thinks the damage may be covered by my insurance policy. Has anyone tried that route?

stickguy

Get an '08. There is another thread with some spy pics of the tweaked 2008, and one shows that the lower air intake opening now has a grill (cross hatch pattern) which should block most of the rocks.

jim1969

will the Mr. Grille fit an 07?

jwroby

The photos are a great help.I cant see from picture but are the wire ties visible/wrap around the front end supports. i have a fairly new 2006 model just learned about the potential problem thank you

bigdadi118

It is about Honda bad design regarding the wide opening at lower grille, increasing the chance of road debris hitting the condenser pipes. In fact I think Honda should have a recall or at least goodwill TSB for re-installing the grille mesh or Honda has to pay for the repair whenever a condenser leak was resulted from this poor design.

I saw Toyota, Mazda have honeycomb plastic to furnish the grille area. Why didn't Honda do the same?

minivan561

Hi,

What size openings/holes was the Mr Grille grille?

Thanks.

bigdadi118

I had the Home Depot Gutter Filter (less than 2.00) and a small bag of black 7" cable ties (less than 2.00) to get the job done (thanks for the photo link in Page 5) in less than 1 hour.

Home Depot has 2 colors re Gutter filter: White and Dark Brown. My Ody is Gold/Sand color so dark brown is fine for me. I don't even need to spray it to BLACK.

tampahonda

I bought an 07 Ody Touring R&N on 09/30. Got a great deal on it, which should offset the cost of the PAX tires over the next couple years.

I just ordered a grill set from cloud-rider.com, the round mesh style, which ran $244 with S&H from Canada. It comes with upper and lower inserts. Expensive, but still cheaper than a $600 A/C condenser repair. However, spoke with customer service, everything is made to order, so 3-4 week turnaround time. Guess, I'll be making a trip to the HD for some gutter-gard.

I couldnt find anything interactive on the MrGrill website for product stylings or samples??

bigdadi118

http://mrgrille.com/MrGrille-Honda-Oddyssey-Page.html

This link was copied from page 3 ... it is photos of Odyssey Grille from Mr Grille ... you can bid it at eBay also and cheaper. USD105 list price.

tampahonda

Though, I really didnt want to spend the $245 on the cloud-rider, I prefer the look of their products over the MrGrille. The MrGrille price is really good, though. Thanks for the link and the information.

bigdadi118

http://www.autodirectsave.com/product/list/2007/Honda/Odyssey/Grilles

This site offers 4 different grille setup for Odyssey. From DIY to custom grille. Price from 20's to 200's.

tampahonda

I just received, and installed, the cloud-rider grille insert package. It took about 1/2 to install, very easy, but somewhat tedious. Very nice construction, materials, and instructions. I am VERY pleased with the outcome...more importantly, so is my wife. I have pictures of the Ody with the grilles, if anyone is considering and would like to see how they look.

philapa

Would you mind post the URL where I can order and get the information about this grille.

Thanks for your help in advance. :shades:

10driver1

I would love to see it. I just purchased the Mirror Stainless spector should be here in a week. We just bought the 2007 Touring package in Nimbus Grey. The people at Cloud Rider were very helpful and proffesional and their products seem to be of the very best quality and looks. I don't mind paying a little extra for what you get. So please send in some pictures or E- mail me. Thanks

tampahonda

Ok, I am new to the posting of pictures and links, as well as weblogging. I have uploaded the photos of the 07 Ody Touring (Nimbus Gray) to this link:

link title

Hopefully, they came through. Please let me know, ASAP.

These are the Stainless Steel Grill Inserts, Combo Package, All Season-Round, Mirror Stainless (28-991); $209+35S&H=$244. A little expensive, but cheaper than a $600 A/C condenser replacement. Plus it gives the Ody an individualized, sporty look. They took about 3 weeks from order to arrival. Supposedly, each order is made individually.

Also, the company is www.cloud-rider.com link title

I am very pleased with the product!

10driver1

Wow, Thankyou for the posting. I just received mine today.
Install was easy and I would of never known about the product without your posting. Thankyou!

tampahonda

Excellent. Glad I could assist. I've received really good info from these forums, so I am glad I could reciprocate. Are you able to post photos? I'd like to see your install and results, too. Thanks.

10driver1

Hey, I have been on the road and just saw your reply. Sorry it has taken me so long. I am new to the forum as well but will be happy to take some pictures and post. I will work on it tomorrow. Thanks,
MH

poocat

Looks absolutely beautiful. I want to get the same thing for my 06'. You said that you ordered the mirror stainless ones. From your pictures they look almost grey. Is this the exact color of the grilles or are they actually a more brighter silver? What do you use to hold them in place?

tampahonda

They're real stainless steel, similar to the commercial appliance and/or your premium gas grill; not, the psuedo stainless steel of kitchen appliances. They hold in place with stainless steel screws and brackets, which clamp onto the front airfoil grid. It is very well designed and manufactured. It is real stainless steel, not painted. I am very pleased with the quality and the appearance. To me, worth the money.

stickguy

just curious, did you have to take the front end of the van off to install it, or did you do it as it sits?

tampahonda

They clamp right onto the existing front end/spoiler. There are no modifications/alterations to the Ody required.

poocat

I was at my Honda dealer yesterday and they actually had a couple of Cloud-Rider "Classic" stainless grilles in stock. The also had a sign that said either pay $785 for a new AC condenser or have one of these grilles installed for $199. I told them that they should be supply all the customers one for free. She said that Honda realizes that the open grill on the 2005-07 Odyssey's are a problem and addressed it in the 2008 model, which now have a cross hatch grill in the lower opening. Great, still doesn't do anything for me or anybody else. Since I like the one tampahonda installed, I called Cloud-Rider and they told me that it would take 4-6 weeks to make one for me. Since winter is coming and they dump tons of sand and crushed gravel on the roads I decided to do the screen thing with black plastic mesh from Home Depot. It works and looks great too. Did both the upper and lower grille openings, and tied it down really good with about 20 plastic ties to keep it nice and tight. You can hardly notice it unless you look really close at it you'll see the ties I showed a guy at work and he said that if I didn't tell him he would have never noticed it. I gave him a piece of mesh and he is installing it in his 07' this weekend. Thanks cknapp for the idea you saved me $190. Thanks to chimrichalds for the pics too.

donalduck

Dear all, the armrest is supposed to go horizontal to the level when it is put down, but for my 07 Odyssey, they are both rest on whatever they hit an obstacle underneath. When I turn them, I can hear some click sound in the middle when they are supposed to stop but they don't stop. Is that an issue or it was made like that? Armrest for the 2nd row passenger seats are all normal. Have you seen this?

bigdadi118

Bring back to dealer for repair / replace under warranty

ocuihs

Thanks to "do it yourself" suggestions on this forum.

I have a 2007 EX-L R+N and would like to share my installed pictures at the below link.

Some $10 material and 75-minutes self-install did the trick.

6" x 36" aluminium gutter guard (pre-cut package of 5) - only used 2 for lower and upper grills.

About 40 black zip ties.

For lower grill, 6" x 36" aluminium gutter guard fitted perfectly.
For upper grill, used a metal tin sip to trim.

Installed pictures at http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AZtWbFy1ct2LkA&notag=1

bigdadi118

Where did you get the aluminium gutter guard, Home Depot?

Shame on Honda, for saving of $10.00 on a 26-38K car, plus potential to cause the owner's wallet $750 lighter due to that condensor leakage ISN'T UNDER WARRANTY.

ocuihs

bigdadi118,

I bought them at Lowe's.

Here is a picture for 5" x 36"
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=11641-339-122/121-- 75&lpage=none

Just take the hinges off with a plier.

bigdadi118

Thanks.

It looks nicer than the vinyl/plastic one sold at Home Depot.

litfuse

I'm considering the options for adding some protection to the exposed AC components on an '07 EX-L and saw this over on eBay for $35 delivered: link title

Not much information on the actual product though, just lots of tales of woe. Does anyone here own one of these or have any more information on this?

TIA,
LitFuse

litfuse

Looks like it's made of plastic after reading the seller's feedback...

litfuse

OK, forget about that one. Here's another one that looks a lot like the Mr. Grill, and is $85 shipped, versus $114 for the "real" Mr. Brille. Does anyone have any comments about the quality of this lower priced billet grille?

Grille

nash1234

So I bought this from Home Depot:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&- langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100012640&N=10000003+90401+501746&marketID=4- 01&locStoreNum=8125

It is stainless steel gutter guard. I will install this from the outside (in front of the bumper, I do not want to take anything out), and I've seen pictures of that done. But how do I cut stainless steel? Hack saw?

Thanks.

litfuse

The mesh is not stainless steel, it's galvanized; the clips are stainless.

The easiest way to trim this material would be a pair of tin snips. The problem I see in putting this in front of the bumper is that you will have lots of sharp edges that will really scratch up the surface. Typically this type of mod is attached behind the bumper.

LitFuse

bigdadi118

It is easy to install at the back side. There is a link of photos showing how-to ... Page-6 Message # 85. I did it in $4.00 and 45 mins.

nash1234

Yeah, I think I will go the backside way. It seems pretty easy.

Now if only I can go to the suburbs to get some can paint. City of Chicago does not allow spray paint to be sold anywhere (graffiti issues).

Thanks again.

nash1234

Done. Took 30 mins with my dad's help. Took the black shroud off, did not take out the top grille. Pre-threaded the black tie wires on the galvanized Gutter Guard, then dropped it in the hole. Caught it from the bottom, tightened the tie wires. Did not paint the galvanized GG since my Ody is white, and it really looks like it was OEM since the outside borders of the top grille are metallic too.

Thanks for the advices.

eisiminger

eisiminger

i also installed gutter grill from lowe's . pack of five for 6 bucks. my van is white and i painted grill black. i used clamps (3) which fit on top . size was 5 in wide by 36 in long. i also put grill behind upper grill which i didnt paint.looks great. looked at a 2008 van today. the stock black grill has holes big enough too put your thumb through. wont stop much. Ike

homesteader1

Bought my new '06 a year and a half ago. Two months later I had a AC condenser leak. The hole was so small you had to look and look to find it. Honda USA covered the repair the first time after the dealer refused to cover it. Now it has happened again. Cost me $750 ugg. Guess I should have installed some kind of a guard. Just ordered a 3/16 mesh stainless grill which the local dealer is going to install for free. The local service manager said that Honda is probably going to redesign the AC condenser on the new '09 van. If it happens again with the grill in place that will be the end of Honda!!!!!!

run07

after reading this blog...just after purchase 07 Ody in Nov 07. I decided to install a grill insert. Bought a aluminum grill from ebay for about $20 with shipping. Trim the grill to fit the openig...and I decided to put it in the front not in the back because I do not wanted to pulled the grill apart and part of the coverings. also, Grill insert would have more support sitting in front not in the back.I made sure that I cut and filed down any sharp edges so it won't scratch the bumper. then I gave good amount of prim+flat black paint (flat paint gave oem looks). I used about 8 plastic tie downs to secure it in place. I like the end product. You can't tell there is a insert covmering the opening but yet it looks different than other Odys.
here are photos if you want to take a look....
Grill Insert">link title

bigdadi118

rub07 - it looks great!

bigdadi118

If you don't want your pocketbook $750 lighter on replacing the condensor / pipe leaks, then this is the thread to find out how to protect them because Honda design problem that the bumper opening is wide-open for debris easily to hit the condensor/pipes.

When you don't have A/C and bring to the dealer under warranty. They will tell you it is NOT under warranty and it is an ACCIDENT.

DON'T follow the front car closely is another way to minimize getting hit with debris.

ody

My 05 Odyssey recently just got hit and fixing it cost me $911 in the bay area dealership. "It is fairly common..." is what they told me.

I tried to file a claim with Honda Motor and they denied my claim based on design flaw and recall request. The regional manager I talked to told me that it takes a significant amount of cases to trigger a recall.

In my opinion, anybody who is a victim of this crappy design need to make their voice heard by Honda. Talk to them at the minimum and let them know you are a unhappy, loyal customer.

Also file a complaint with nhtsa.gov and bring this to the attention of the ultimate authority which has the power to force a recall.

For those who have not yet suffered that deadly hit by little road debris, be prepared. Get a Mr. Grille might not be a bad idea.

As the last resort, insurance company typically will pick up the tab (minus deductible) as part of comprehensive coverage. Bad as insurance companies are, I still feel it is not fair for them to take the blunt for something the Honda did not do diligently.

bigdadi118

ody

I think this is stupid design. I don't how these designers can survive in a company like Honda. Anyone involved in that bumper design & those passed the design should all be planked by 2 by 4 and send back to design school for at least 2 more yrs. These guys have no COMMON SENSE.

bigdadi118

Photos re step by step on How To install is at below link

http://www.carspace.com/chimrichalds/Albums/grill%20insert/

bigdadi118

This is good Grille design (2009 Honda Pilot) to minimize road debris to punture condensor/pipes. You can tell when no A/C, $750 replacement is considered "accident" so Honda won't pay under warranty. We pay for Honda's MORON, BAD, NO COMMON SENSE design problem.

See more Car Pictures at CarSpace.com

bigdadi118

*** Odyssey Bump Wide Open
See more Car Pictures at CarSpace.com

*** FINISHED Grille
See more Car Pictures at CarSpace.com

jeff777al

Can you tell me where you bought the metal grill covering. Was it a Lowe's, Home Depot, or somewhere else?

Thanks,

Jeff

kominsky

chimrichalds and everyone else who posted info and pics on your do-it-yourself fix... thanks! My son and I installed the gutter-guard fix this past weekend. Looks good and feels sturdy.