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Honda Element Maintenance and Repair

224 messages,  Last post on May 14, 2013 at 10:04 AM

You are in the Honda Element Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda Element, SUV

Messages Page 6 of 23

#44 of 224 Re: air conditioning design weaknees for Honda Element [zabeth] by wamba2000

Jul 31, 2006 (11:28 am)

Replying to: zabeth (Jul 31, 2006 7:03 am)
zabeth, I installed the "gutter guard" solution on my 2004 EX. Lowes had black plastic gutter guard, so you can't really see it and it matches the factory black grill area. Between cutting the guard to length, then installing with black zip ties, the whole thing took about 20 mintes. I picked off about 6 bugs that woudl have hit the condensor on a recent trip. The gutter guard still has some flex to it, but won't stop the airflow.
 
Sorry to hear you had to pay the $800+. You can see pics of the gutter guard install on the elementownersclub website as refernced in another message. Look in the Do-It-Yourself Modifications tab.

#45 of 224 07 E by bwong06

Jul 31, 2006 (6:51 pm)

When are the 07 elements due to hit the lot? I really want to get a Element but the upgrades on the 07 might make me wait

#46 of 224 Re: air conditioning design weaknees for Honda Element [gonzo3165] by djm2

Jul 31, 2006 (6:52 pm)

Replying to: gonzo3165 (Jul 31, 2006 8:47 am)
gonzo3165:
    If a stone was to be sucked into the engine, because of a poorly designed air intake system, would Honda make the customer responsible for that damage TOO? Honda is putting a "spin" on this entire issue. A grill could be easily designed to clamp onto the existing grill network. They know that there is a problem, but they will do nothing about the problem! They are giving sales away to Hyundai and Kia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Best regards. -----Dwayne

#47 of 224 Re: air conditioning design weaknees for Honda Element [djm2] by dhnsx

Jul 31, 2006 (10:16 pm)

Replying to: djm2 (Jul 31, 2006 6:52 pm)
i would rather walk than drive a Hyundai or Kia.

#48 of 224 Re: air conditioning design weaknees for Honda Element [dhnsx] by djm2

Aug 02, 2006 (6:06 pm)

Replying to: dhnsx (Jul 31, 2006 10:16 pm)
dhnsx:
   I will be "test driving" a "Top of the line" 2007 2WD Honda Element, as soon as they hit the lot at my local Honda dealer. I can't wait to discuss this A/C issue. I want to see their reaction!!!!!!!!!!!-------Best regards. ------Dwayne

#49 of 224 Element and Low Clearance Question by muckleroy

Aug 04, 2006 (9:00 am)

I am seriously considering the purchase of a 2006 Element. My concern is with the ground clearance. My daily commute to work includes 4 miles of maintained dirt and gravel road. Winters are long and sometimes severe here. I live at 8700 ft and sometimes the spring mud season turns the dirt road into a pretty sloppy drive. I would appreciate any advice and/or experiences. My old 1986 Toyota 4Runner has mastered the road well but now has 295500 miles on it. Your help is appreciated!

#50 of 224 dealer paid for Element AC fix? by zabeth

Aug 06, 2006 (5:58 pm)

In the AC discussion, I thought I read a message that someone sent me about having the AC blow out because fo external damage and the dealer paid for it. Now I can't find the message. Please write again. Thank you, Zabeth.

#51 of 224 Reasons to hate my Element by hbhawaii

Sep 08, 2006 (1:46 pm)

In general, I have been quite happy with my '03 EX, but there are some dumb design issues that are really fraying my nerves, to the point where I'm seriously considering trading it in.
 
#1 is ground clearance, or the lack thereof. I just pranged the gas tank guard on a small rock in a dirt road, and have come pretty close to stranding on a berm top several times. If Honda wants to advertise this car as a "go anywhere" toy, it should build it so (compare with the new Toyota cruiser for instance).
 
#2 is that damned suicide door, which makes loading in a parking lot pure misery. Nissan solved the problem in its trucks with a rear door that opens flat against the vehicle side. Honda could have, but chose not to.
 
#3 is closely related to #2. I've lost count of the number of times I've bashed my head against the projecting piece of metal in the roof of the car that holds the two doors where they meet. Stupid, stupid design.
 
#4 the back seat is good for five minutes of travel. Any further, and the claustrophobic heebie-jeebies set in.
 
With regards to point #1, I posted this in the tires forum, but got no response: looks like there's no way to lift the vehicle, except to use bigger tires. Has anyone done this? How much bigger did you go? How did it work out?

#52 of 224 Re: Element and Low Clearance Question [muckleroy] by wamba2000

Sep 11, 2006 (1:13 pm)

Replying to: muckleroy (Aug 04, 2006 9:00 am)
muckelroy, I have an '04 Element EX AWD and have been down lots of forest service and back roads without an issue. Haven't driven in snow, but mud and rainy conditions with passenger style tires....no problems.
 
In your case, I would suggest purchasing new All-Terrain tires in 235/70x16 size (BF Goodrich and Bridgestone Revos are popular on the Element owners club web site.) There should be good enough clearance; if you run chains in the winter, you might want to drop to a 225. Consider it a cost of ownership, the stock Goodyears that are 215/70x16 are terrible in wet conditions, noisy and you'll be wanting to replace them almost as soon as you buy the Element anyway. (Mine lasted less than 20,000 miles of city driving).
 
Hope that helps

#53 of 224 Re: air conditioning design weaknees for Honda Element [djm2] by gunga64

Oct 12, 2006 (8:45 am)

Replying to: djm2 (Jul 30, 2006 6:08 pm)
My friend has a 2005 Durango and supposedly a rock hit his
condensor and broke his AC. Dodge also used the same excuse that they weren't responsible. I for one would like to know the scientific way they prove the damage came from outside the condenser and not just a week weld or low spot in the condensor itself. I would like the dealership/Manufactor prove to me that it was not a defect. Get the part after the repair.

Messages Page 6 of 23

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