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Grill mesh install

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by David Beale, Jun 7, 2007.

  1. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    OK, I get it now. Prius means "insect eating one". ;) I had a look at the A/C condenser and the lower part was covered with insects, after my 600 km highway trip. If you want to clean yours, be warned, DO NOT use a pressure washer. It will fold the fins flat. Use a soft brush and GENTLY sweep side to side and up and down. I used a large bottle cleaning brush. Note that the manual says to let the dealer clean the condenser if it looks plugged.

    I had wanted to install protective mesh behind the grill but it looked like a lot of work removing all the undertray parts (to get good access to the back of the grill). So I gave up last week. But after seeing all the "stuff" on the condenser I went to work.

    First got some evestrough aluminum "expanded aluminum" mesh. It's the stuff in this photo.
    [attachmentid=8644]

    I removed the small undertray first - 9 bolts - note that the rear ones are threaded and the front ones are "self tapping". Don't get them mixed up when you reinstall them.

    Then I removed the lower front black trim piece. This allowed me to remove all the self tapping bolts holding the inner undertray along the front, so I could bend it up out of the way (into the space in front of the condenser but behind the grill). I now had reasonable access to the space.

    I removed the tiny clips from the evestrough aluminum, straightened it out and inserted it from below. Then I used black zip ties to fasten it to the back of the lower grill. Two on each vertical "brace" - 10 total.

    Reinstall all removed parts, being careful I got things tucked back the way they were.

    This is what it looks like.
    [attachmentid=8645]
     

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    #1 David Beale, Jun 7, 2007
  2. wayne60014

    wayne60014 New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Beale @ Jun 7 2007, 10:38 AM) [snapback]457451[/snapback]</div>
    David,

    It looks great, I am planning on doing some long distances driving soon and this will definielty help. Where can you buy the Aluminum Mesh? Thanks.
     
    #2 wayne60014, Jun 7, 2007
  3. ScottY

    ScottY New Member

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    You can also remove the plastic OEM grill. Takes a bit of figuring out where to pull (20 min for me), but I think it's easier than taking the bottom plastic tray off.
     
    #3 ScottY, Jun 7, 2007
  4. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    I got the mesh at Canadian Tire, but most home centers should have it. I looked around a bit, because the stuff I got for the last two vehicles I did was black (dipped in paint). Much nicer than the aluminum finish. All I could find in black was plastic. It's too flexible and stays wavy. That doesn't look good.

    Yeah, I was going to paint the mesh, but it's aluminum and you need to do it right to make it stick. I got lazy and didn't bother. It looks ok. Black would hide the mesh better though.
     
    #4 David Beale, Jun 7, 2007
  5. priusincc

    priusincc Member

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    The mesh looks great. It would probably add protection from smaller stones.
    Another way to protect the condenser would be to install plastic screen over the front of the condenser, even though access to the condenser front is a little difficult. I have seen kits at auto parts stores (although not lately). I have done this on previous cars. It would need to be cleaned periodically, but it keeps bugs from being imbedded into condenser.
    By the way, good point on pressure washer.
     
    #5 priusincc, Jun 7, 2007
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    looks good.

    gotta check mine.. my bumper was covered with bugs from the May long weekend trip. I cleaned the car but not the radiators and such below.
     
    #6 Tideland Prius, Jun 7, 2007
  7. Dirtnapper

    Dirtnapper Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ScottY @ Jun 7 2007, 01:56 PM) [snapback]457469[/snapback]</div>
    This idea sounds great, could you please share where to "pull" on the grill. I would like to try this over the weekend. Thanks.
     
    #7 Dirtnapper, Jun 7, 2007
  8. gamiller

    gamiller New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Beale @ Jun 7 2007, 01:38 PM) [snapback]457451[/snapback]</div>
    This really looks great .It should be standard on all Florida cars { love bugs}. If I wasn't such a dufus with tools I'd do this to mine.
     
    #8 gamiller, Jun 7, 2007
  9. gforeman

    gforeman New Member

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    I'd be interested in how you removed the grill also.
     
    #9 gforeman, Jun 7, 2007
  10. priusincc

    priusincc Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ScottY @ Jun 7 2007, 10:56 AM) [snapback]457469[/snapback]</div>
    Me three. It looks like it just pops in, but I don't want to break anything without instructions.
     
    #10 priusincc, Jun 7, 2007
  11. FireEngineer

    FireEngineer Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusincc @ Jun 7 2007, 10:31 PM) [snapback]457806[/snapback]</div>
    Here you go!

    [attachmentid=8678]

    Wayne
     

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    #11 FireEngineer, Jun 8, 2007
  12. priusincc

    priusincc Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FireEngineer @ Jun 8 2007, 06:28 AM) [snapback]457958[/snapback]</div>
    Thanks Wayne,
    Dave
     
    #12 priusincc, Jun 8, 2007
  13. syncmaster

    syncmaster Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Beale @ Jun 7 2007, 01:38 PM) [snapback]457451[/snapback]</div>
    For others thinking about doing this:
    You don't need to remove any screws, the front plastic grill around the fog lights just pop out when you work the top and botom of the plastic grill a 6" section around the fog lights will pop out, then work the rest of the front grill the same way using the blade of a screw driver around the top and bottom .
    to put the grill back you snap it in place. first the main lower grill then the 2 side pieces.
     
    #13 syncmaster, Jun 8, 2007
  14. Dirtnapper

    Dirtnapper Member

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    Quick question, I went to the hardware stores, I can only get 3 ft sections of mesh...did you join two pieces, or did you find longer lengths? Thanks.
     
    #14 Dirtnapper, Jun 9, 2007
  15. gforeman

    gforeman New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Dirtanpper @ Jun 9 2007, 09:17 PM) [snapback]458921[/snapback]</div>
    Go t an Auto Performance shop. The have stuff made for this. I made a grill protector for my Motorcycle. This was stainless steel and fairly stiff material. It it will take a beating.
     
    #15 gforeman, Jun 9, 2007
  16. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Dirtanpper @ Jun 9 2007, 07:17 PM) [snapback]458921[/snapback]</div>
    The three foot section fits perfectly. That is what I used. It's a little too wide (tall), that's all. I didn't trim mine, but may do so soon.
     
    #16 David Beale, Jun 10, 2007
  17. Dirtnapper

    Dirtnapper Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Beale @ Jun 10 2007, 12:30 PM) [snapback]459163[/snapback]</div>
    Thanks. I found that out this am when I went out and installed it. All went pretty easy, I broke two of the bottom plastic clips...but, it seems pretty secure, so I am not too worried. I soon figured out that, taking the tapped screwdriver and locating the bottom clips, I made a quarter turn and the clip released....if I had only got that figured out on the first two! Good project suggestion and worth the time and effort.
     
    #17 Dirtnapper, Jun 10, 2007
  18. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    No mesh in the grill yet for me, but should probably do so. I've read about more than one A/C condenser dying an untimely death due to a stone puncture. I could care less about bugs - it's the harder objects that worry me.

    I've lost a fog lamp lens due to stones (they're glass and cost ~$100 for the part!!), so I made "mesh grills" to go over the lenses. This does have a downside - washing them w/o a pressure washer is impossible. They've done their job though, recently I noted one mesh having a sizeable dent which surely could have been another crack had they not been in place. I used a much smaller sized steel mesh than the OP for my application as it was easier to work with.

    Maybe some cooler weekend I'll get around to making the other part. Thanks for the post to replant the idea for me.
     
    #18 HTMLSpinnr, Jun 10, 2007
  19. priussoris

    priussoris New Member

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    Great way to keep the bugs and stones out of the condensor. good pics also!
     
    #19 priussoris, Jun 10, 2007
  20. gforeman

    gforeman New Member

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    One last clarification needed. I don’t have the fog lamps. Can the grill be removed without removing any other item from the car? Or does the bumper or other access panels have to come off first.

    If anyone gets theirs off, can you take a photo of the clips? The drawing is a little vague. Maybe when I delve into it I will see what they are talking about.

    Thanks.
     
    #20 gforeman, Jun 10, 2007
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