AC Condenser Leak 2013 Tacoma

Brand new vehicle developed leak in AC Condenser after only 7000 miles. The truck was not driven off road. Dealer said a stone may have damaged the unit. Is this a freak occurrence, or should i spend several hundred dollars to have a wire mesh screen installed across the grill? It appears that the design makes this vehicle very susceptible to damage due to stones, rocks, and other airborne hazards. The condenser alone costs over $800. Freon, labor, etc makes this a $1500 fix.

Why is the grill so open? Anybody else had this problem? thanks

 

The condensor is $74.79 on rockauto

You don't need a several hundred dollar mesh to protect it. If you're worried about it happening again, any metal mesh behind the grills should deflect any offending rocks large enough to cause a problem.

It's rarer on trucks but it does happen. This was a bigger worry back when I drove Hondas because their main radiator inlets are large, open, and low to the ground. The Honda dealer wanted $800 for those condensors too. The home depot mesh mod was and is a somewhat popular mod for the Honda Fit community because of that

 

the truck has a lifetime power train warranty and I assume it would be voided if you replaced parts with non-factory stuff?

 

That is not a drivetrain part.

 

at 7000 miles and a 2013 truck should still be under warranty right?

 

I'm sure Toyota is claiming it's not their fault a rock came through the grill and damaged it.

 

I work at a dealer and hardly, hardly ever see this happen to our trucks even with those big openings in the front. Our cars lower to the ground are more common than trucks. Freak occurrence, if you bought the truck from that particular dealership ask very, very nicely for some goodwill assistance. Maybe they"ll agree to pay the part if you pay the labor

 

same way you can't blame toyota if you got a nail right on the shoulder on one of your tires

 

Just take it to an a/c shop and have them put a new condenser in it. Or, better yet, buy one like listed about online and install it yourself. Grab a couple new o-rings for the fittings and bolt it in. Super easy job. Take it to the local shop and have them leak check and charge it. Shouldn't be more than $150-175 for the whole job if you do it yourself.

I worked in an a/c shop so if you get charged more than this for a leak check and charge, go someplace else.

 

my 2013 had only 3k miles when the fitting on the condenser started leaking. Toyota replaced the line and condenser. FYI. My dad's 05 never had any issues.