A/C condenser susceptible to damage
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What did you trim out the screen with?
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303 Posts
Curious if you heard the impact and if you did, how far back from any traffic in front of you were you.
I heard a loud wack one day when following a little too close to a tractor trailer, being impatient to get off a highway exit. When I got home, I found my passenger's fog light lens smashed. Had to replace the entire assembly. I wasn't happy.
At highway speeds now, I leave 2 trailers length or more space, unless I'm passing, when following ANY vehicle. As speeds drop, I'll shorten that distance. Mades a big difference in keeping the front end and windshield chip free.
Have a good day.
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1 Posts
Not just a RAV4 problem - my 2019 Camry caught a rock and the dealership wants $1200 to replace
2020 RAV4 hybrid XLE, Magnetic Grey metallic, cold weather package.
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764 Posts
I install an aluminum 4mmX8mm diamond mesh on my 2020 hybrid. No issue what so ever. However since mine is a hybrid it may not be overheating much.
This is what I used:
If you plan carefully there is enough there to cover both the lower grill intake and upper grill from the back side.
This is what I used:
If you plan carefully there is enough there to cover both the lower grill intake and upper grill from the back side.
4x8mm Universal Aluminum Auto Car Grille Mesh Net Grid Body Bumper Rhombic Grill 813514886097 | eBay
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2020 RAV4 hybrid XLE, Magnetic Grey metallic, cold weather package.
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764 Posts
Yes you can use that too, but I keep my cars 10+ years. Plastic Gutter guard gets brittle after about 3 or 4 years than you have to replace it. I figured aluminum mesh will handle 10 years easy. Also the gutter mesh is only 6 inches wide, the one I got is 40 inches by 13 inches. Enough to cut for both lower and upper grill covers.
Zero issues with gutter guard on both of my hybrids. They spent plenty of time in hot Phoenix weather with no problems.
I've been doing the plastic gutter guard mod for over 10 years now on numerous vehicles, no issues. One time with a CRV I was driving through a snowstorm and got a warning that the safety nannies weren't working. I pulled off at the next rest area and wet snow was packed all over the front end. Temp gauge never moved so I wouldn't worry about gutter mesh. I usually use the plastic variety that comes as a roll. If the supporting structure is sparse, I make a template and cut some metal gutter guard to shape and trim out with door edge guard and secure with zip ties. Rav's seem to have enough of a structure there for the plastic. It may be a slightly weak on the top and bottom of the lower grille but I bet it's better than nothing.
Recently a bird got stuck in the lower grille but the plastic mesh was enough. No feathers made it through but the poor bird was wedged in there pretty good.
Recently a bird got stuck in the lower grille but the plastic mesh was enough. No feathers made it through but the poor bird was wedged in there pretty good.
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466 Posts
Yeah, someone else had mentioned snow buildup as well so I definitely don't want to get too small of openings. I have some expanded metal "scrap" (perfectly fine, just not needed by the company...free is free) that I was thinking to use but the maneuverability of the gutter mesh sounds easier to work with in those tight spaces; I'll try that stuff first and see how it holds up. My worry is that anything that could rupture the metal condenser is probably going to go right through plastic netting, wouldn't it?
Metal would definitely be the best for a direct hit and IMO could provide extra strength to the support structure. If you cut a template and place on the outside it's not difficult. Overall, the RAV top and lower grille's have much smaller openings than some Honda's I've had in the past. The amount of bugs and leaves that it keeps out probably helps with the cooling in the long run. If you wanted to go crazy I suppose you could remove the top grille and cut install some metal from the back. I did gutter guard on the outside for the bottom and and on the inside for the top. I did have to remove the hood lock mechanism to do this. You could trace out where the mechanism is mounted. I've done it 3 times now without marking and no issues.
The one from Steve is stainless steel. I have purchased the upper & lower grill guards from him. Fit and finish was excellent and easy install. Saved me from cutting up my hands.
Stephen O'Hara
VoltShop
You think our RAV4 front openings are bad—take a look at the bottom front grill on a 2022 Kia Sportage. And all manufactures are making the condensers lighter. Say goodbye to the V6 in the Highlander. This is all because of the government. Vehicle manufacturers are being forced to make these changes— opposed or not.
Stephen O'Hara
VoltShop
You think our RAV4 front openings are bad—take a look at the bottom front grill on a 2022 Kia Sportage. And all manufactures are making the condensers lighter. Say goodbye to the V6 in the Highlander. This is all because of the government. Vehicle manufacturers are being forced to make these changes— opposed or not.
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I'm still debating on where I want to install something. One of these days I will be researching installing a grill further back inside bumper area. I have seen pictures of the front of the RAV4 completely off and it appears that a screen of some sort can be installed through the access area achieved by removing the upper shroud cover. The one that's removed to access the horns. With that panel removed, you have access to the big aluminum bumper rail that the horn wires attach to to keep them from moving around. There is a gap between the condenser/radiator and this aluminum bumper. From pictures, it appears that a stiff screen can be slid down between this area and secured to the aluminum bumper. This way you can use just about color of screen since it will not be see but will create a barrier in front of the condenser/radiator.
Ok, so two take aways from these images
![Motor vehicle Gas Auto part Machine Engineering]()
![Motor vehicle Hood Bumper Automotive exterior Automotive tire]()
Thoughts?
Any researchers up for the challenge?
I just don't like the look of the tie wraps on the outside of that grill and if this works, they wouldn't be there.
Also, in theory, an upward screen could potentially be added the same way; attached to the aluminum bumper and fitted behind the horns.
My dad installed fiberglass window screen material onto his 1970 Ford F250 when he bought it new to keep bugs out of the radiator fins. It doesn't have A/C so there was no need for that protection. To this day, that screen is still there and it rest right on the face of the radiator and hang down covering the whole front of the radiator. That's where I got the idea.
Ok, so two take aways from these images
- These have the whole front shroud removed but access to this area doesn't excessively reduce access to the intended area.
- This version of the RAV4 doesn't have the shutters in the lower section but I don't believe they would get in the way. Research will eventual determine if this is true.
Thoughts?
Any researchers up for the challenge?
I just don't like the look of the tie wraps on the outside of that grill and if this works, they wouldn't be there.
Also, in theory, an upward screen could potentially be added the same way; attached to the aluminum bumper and fitted behind the horns.
My dad installed fiberglass window screen material onto his 1970 Ford F250 when he bought it new to keep bugs out of the radiator fins. It doesn't have A/C so there was no need for that protection. To this day, that screen is still there and it rest right on the face of the radiator and hang down covering the whole front of the radiator. That's where I got the idea.
Easy solution to snow build up is spraying silicon spray on it at the beginning of the snow season. Works great in wheel wells too. Works like a charm in cars with low clearance. My Prius had no issues with buildup in Alaska, even when driving in deep unplowed roads. It still has the same $5 gutter guard on it today 10 years later. Can’t beat it.
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