While installing my sports rear way bar today I started looking my AC condenser and the rock damage on the lower section. Examining the condenser I also noticed the front bumper air vents have nothing to protect the condenser from rocks and debris. This kind of seems like a bad design. Well, I will say that it has not failed in 10 years and the AC still blows cold but I am a bit fanatical about things and sometimes replace things before they go bad.

Anyway, here are a few pics. Is this common on LS430's in general? How does yours look in comparison? The other kind of surprising element of this is the price difference between Denso aftermarket vs OEM. Is Denso the OEM manufacturer? I assume it is.

RockAuto Denso $110

Lexus of South Atlanta $623

 

This is somewhat very common on most cars. It has to catch a good portion of air to perform it's function. In your picture the horizontal section/lines is where the freon is carried. The vents can be damaged pretty bad with no leaking occurring.

 

Don't worry about a problem that hasn't yet existed. It might not happen.

 

Yeah, I hear ya. I guess if it ain't broke don't fix it.