I have a Roomster 1.6 Se 105, 4 months old and 5000 miles. During last week's warm weather I realised that the air conditioning did not cool the air, so I had it examined at my supplying dealer. It would seem that the condenser has been punctured by a stone chip which has come through the lower grill, causing the gas to leak out. I am facing a bill of almost £600 to replace it as it is accident damage. Looking around this site I see that others have suffered the same problem.

I am considering arguing with Skoda that the lower grill - which does have very large apertures in it, each 14cm x 4 cms - does not provide adequate stone protection for the condenser and this is a design fault which Skoda should recognise and take responsibility for.

Any useful thoughts or advice?

Edited 5 April, 201214 yr by arkle

I'm afraid you have been unlucky.

Many marques suffer from this problem. I just helped a mate change the condenser in his Ford. To get a good airflow you need wide slots. On cars with a/c you have to cool both the consenser and radiator so more airflow is required.

My Octy Mk.1 lower grill slots are about 700mm x 40mm. Condensers do get hit, but it's usually nothing more than a few flatten fins. Most people don't get punctured.

I'm afraid you have been unlucky.

Many marques suffer from this problem. I just helped a mate change the condenser in his Ford. To get a good airflow you need wide slots. On cars with a/c you have to cool both the consenser and radiator so more airflow is required.

My Octy Mk.1 lower grill slots are about 700mm x 40mm. Condensers do get hit, but it's usually nothing more than a few flatten fins. Most people don't get punctured.

Thanks for commenting. I appreciate your points. I'm not convinced, though, that the grill design could not have been better executed.

As a comparison, my wife's Golf, which also has air-con and is of very similar layout mechanically, has lower grill apertures of 9x2 cms, ie one third the size. This must significantly reduce the possibility of your average stone getting through. Presumably the airflow requirement is similar, which makes me think that Skoda have concentrated more on how the grill looks rather than how it functions.

Edited 5 April, 201214 yr by arkle

I've had EXACTLY the same problem. I stone has punctured my condenser and it's going to cost £665 to fix.

Mine is a lease car with FULL wear and tear/maintenance cover. I've just been told that this damage is treated in exactly the same way as a stone chip on the windscreen, so they do not cover it, I have to claim on my insurance. That means losing my no claims bonus and £200 excess - way more than the £665.

I'm absolutely furious. This was not caused by vandalism or reckless driving, it was a stone flying through a grill that is there to stop exactly that from happening.

My lease car company is currently contacting Skoda customer services, but I think we need to group together to demand they pay us to fix their design fault.

Agree?

Alex

My lease car company is currently contacting Skoda customer services, but I think we need to group together to demand they pay us to fix their design fault.

Agree?

Alex

Apologies for slow reply, I've been abroad.

I've put the issue down to experience now and don't wish to pursue it further. I was also furious when it happened but to be honest you are the only other person to have responded with the same problem in the couple of months since I started this thread, which makes me think it doesn't actually happen very often. I agree the design is flawed,though.