Condenser Guard..Good or Bad?

[ACerf]

I have had a Condenser Guard on my truck for several years now. Resently had to have the Condenser replaced. The shop who did the work thought I should not use the Guard because it restricted the air flow. He thought that it would be okay if were not staying in Arizona when it is 100+, but if we are in my cause a problem. Any ideas on the subject?

 

[HBarlow]

I've used a Geno's condensor guard for about six years now on two different Ram trucks. Obviously the guard does block some air flow and the blocked area is calculated as a percentage of condensor frontal surface the loss might be larger than we think but I've never noticed any problem with engine cooling or air conditioner effectiveness including some heavy towing in hot weather across the southwest.

IMO the person who told you that was probably 100% correct in theory. Whether he is correct in the real world or whether the loss of surface air flow is enough to matter is another question for which I have no answer.

 

[RAton]

What is worse, the guard or all the bent fins from leaning over the front of the truck or the rocks I've taken through the grill. I spend hours straightening the fins proir to installing the guard.

 

[rscurtis]

That is the real issue. You're going to get some restriction- one way or the other.

 

[SierraRam]

Well since we are on it we should not have a grill in front either... ... The engineers design the heat exchangers with a percentage of fouling/restriction built in, I do not believe the condenser gaurd will much have effect on air flow or heat exchange.

 

[seafish]

Condensor Guard= GOOD.

Condensor Guard + Tool Tray = GREAT !!!

 

[TLane]

I've always added screen wire from the hardware store in front of mine, except I haven't done it on this truck yet. It's on my todo list. One thing I've noticed is that bugs are easy to sweep off the front of the screen but get buried in the fins when you don't have a screen. They become almost impossible to remove once they are driven into the fins, maybe a pressure washer from the backside would work? Anyway, I vote for the screen or condenser guard!

 

[seafish]

I also used both 1/8" stainless hardware cloth AND the condensor guard and tool tray--

Here is my write-up if interested... .

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...223277-kilby-guard-removeable-bug-screen.html

 

[ACerf]

I also used both 1/8" stainless hardware cloth AND the condensor guard and tool tray--



Here is my write-up if interested... .



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...223277-kilby-guard-removeable-bug-screen.html

From reading how you installed the Kirby Guard made me think that whether you used the screen material or not. The gap between the condenser and guard might let more air to flow in and around the condenser. You might get more stuff caught into the condenser, but it would be easy to clean and it will still keep the big stuff from hitting the condenser.

 

[ACerf]

When I look at the Condenser without the Guard it just doesn't look right to me! Even the repair mentioned how good the old condenser looked for being eight years old. It is going on... period!!