[headac3e]

damage to radiator (help!)

hi guys, i'm so down from this. while cruising on the freeway at around 60mph, a wooden block size of a brick popped out in front of me and smashed into my car. it happened in such a split second for me to react to it.

anyway, the block managed to smashed into the middle front plastic(!) grill right below the license plate would go (if you live in a state where front license plats are mandatory). the block broke through the grill (since the grill is a snap on/off) and damage a small part of the radiator (i think thats what it is called, correct me if im wrong).

my question is, is this damage a bad thing to not have fixed? having the whole thing sounds terribly expensive especially on a brand new car with only ~3000 miles on it. this is a 2012 camry SE I4.

pics below, taken with my phone--i can get better pics if necessary. the size of the damage is probably about 1-2 inches but im not sure, ill have to measure it to know. i've cruised around the freeway today for about an hour and the temperatures reported by the instruments reports normal (meter right in the middle). but of course, the meter is digital and theres not much granularity :\. there are no fluids leaking either.

please excuse my car repair n00bness.

i think im also lucky that it barely missed that sensor there which i would assume is for the airbags.. can anyone confirm that as well?

i hope someone have good news for me (e.g. need not to worry in replacing it). :headbang: :sosad: :sosad: :sosad: :sosad:

 

[iToaster]

That's the condenser for the A/C. The damage might result in a loss of refrigerant and consequently a loss of cool air. The sensor there is an exterior temperature sensor, airbag sensors will usually be bolted to the frame and have yellow connectors.

 

[Pbaker003136]

If it is not leaking refrigerant now, it should be fine. It looks like the tubes are a little bent, but there aren't any mechanical moving parts, like a wheel bearing etc.....
I wouldn't replace or repair it unless it is leaking.

 

[JC1843]

Inner coolers are used on vehicles with turbochargers. They route the HOT air from the turbo, through the cooler, and then into the engine. It helps make a little more horse power, as cool air is more dense.

 

[Zembonez]

If it is not leaking refrigerant now, it should be fine. It looks like the tubes are a little bent, but there aren't any mechanical moving parts, like a wheel bearing etc.....
I wouldn't replace or repair it unless it is leaking.

^^^This.

 

[winstead22]

Like others said, if it isn't leaking it should be fine. You could probably take some needlenose pliers and try to straighten some of the bent fins and use some rubbing compound on your front bumber to remove the scuff marks.

 

[Pbaker003136]

Those fins and tubes are aluminum, I would NOT try to bend them back or you will end up with a leak. Aluminum does not like to be bent back and forth....
Look at an older vehicle with more miles on it and you will see that those things are usually beat to hell, all kinds of rocks etc stuck in them.
The tubes that actually have the refrigerant in them are more towards the middle and the fins that you see on the outside are there for heat transfer

 

[JC1843]

The fins are very light aluminum, and you will not hurt the Condenser if you try to straighten them. In fact, they do make a "Comb" to do that.

Do not bend any of the tubing-- that can cause stress and damage.

 

[doznI4SE]

^- +1 what JC1843 said.

Change the title from intercooler to radiator.

 

[joeer77]

Do you have full coverage insurance on your 2012 Camry? I do and in this case I would pay the $500 deductible and get this fixed and not live with something like this. My two cents...

 

[prerunbob]

Leave it alone if it isn't leaking. If the A/C works OK , you're good

 

[headac3e]

thanks for everyone's responses.. i havent gotten emails alerts from people posting replies from this forum so i thought no one really replied. turns out a lot of ppl did fixed title.

anyway, the AC seems to be running fine and i dont see any leaks (what color would it be?).

i think i'm leaving it alone for now. the damage is so tiny but i feel like it could be catastrophic (not sure why toyota don't attempt to protect this more other than with just a plastic grill that snaps off). would there be any implications in the future leaving it as is?

 

[doznI4SE]

........ fixed title.

Generally, people call them A/C condensors, not intercoolers.

...see any leaks (what color would it be?).

If the AC condenser leaks, freon is colorless and odorless. However, if there is a condenser leak you might traces of compressor lubricant oil.

It should be fine to leave it as it.