Design Flaw?

[BSNF]

Hello -

A friend of mine recently had his '01 XC in to fix his air conditioning which wasn't working.  Turns out, the service manager claimed that a rock had hit the compressor (below the front license plate) and had knocked it out.  Almost a $1,000 in damage and it was NOT covered by the warrenty. He stated that this is a design flaw with the XC and that other vehicles in this class have a shield in front that is supposed to protect against objects damaging it.  Anyone aware of this?  Is there a part that can installed to protect this?

BSNF

[Art]

Can't say that I've encountered anything as serious as that on any of the backroads that I've travelled, but certainly could see the likelyhood of it happening. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/nervous.gif

Some of the Japanese XCer's have gone as far as screening the lower air intake to prevent such an event from occurring. Can't say that I care much for the look, but it certainly is one method of solving the problem. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/huh2.gif

http://members14.tsukaeru.net/kboyxc//IMG_13361.jpg
http://members14.tsukaeru.net/kboyxc//IMG_13531.jpg

[Hiro's XC]

It couldn't hit the compressor. You could hit the radiator or the intercooler, the A/C radiator is up front, but the compressor is under the plastic skid plate and connected to the serpentine belt. I think he got taken.

Jason