GOE Compressor Guard

[matti4556]

In Gordon's absence (Simmo Trip) I was wondering if a forum member has experience of the fitting of the compressor guard Gordon markets for the D3. Do you remove the sound deadening plastic cover first, or is it left in place and the alloy guard goes over it all?
I am asking this from a "cooling" perspective - additional noise doesn't concern me that much.
Cheers Matti

[BobD]

It goes over the top of everything. You don't remove the plastic cover.


Bob

[Celtoid]

The 'newer' compressor fitted under warranty on older D4s and standard on later models hangs quite a bit lower than the chassis rail. Doesn't the addition of this guard (over the plastic cover) now increase the potential for a hang point?


Never seen a compressor guard in the flesh, so I'm just asking.


Cheers,


Kev.

[ADMIRAL]

Makes no difference to clearance worth worrying about with the guard on. If it wasn't so late, I would add a pic of ours.

[BobD]

Better to "hang" on a 6mm aluminium plate than on the thin plastic, although I have never been hung up on it. It is pretty close to the rear wheel so is not usually a serious low point.


The only thing that has happened to mine is that it is stone blasted, particularly on the front edge, which looks like someone has been hammering it. But then again, so is all the plastic trim along the bottom and in front of the rear wheel arch, not to mention the Kaymar rear bar and exposed bits of the camper trailer, despite most of the trailer being protected by a Stone Stomper. I run D697 285 x 60 R18 tyres, which are significantly wider than the LR mud flaps, so after thousands of km of outback "roads" over the last couple of years everything exposed has been stoned.


Bob

[AnD3rew]

The compressor guard obviously gives you a very small amount less clearance in that particular bit than without but as others have said its better to drop into the guard than the compressor.

The only hassle I've ever had was a large stick wedging on the inside of the guard between the guard and the compressor, took a bit of tugging to get it out.

I think the design could be improved by have an angled piece at the front from the bottom of the guard upwards so that it would prevent sticks etc but also so you could slide up and over rather than hitting a rock etc front on but the issue would be where to anchor it and also to make sure you got enough airflow to prevent overheating.

[BobD]

Andrew's mention of a stick reminded me that once I had some gravel stuck between the guard and the plastic. This caused a loud vibration noise when the compressor started up which was worrying at first but easily cured by washing the rubbish out of the gap.


Bob

[Celtoid]

Better to "hang" on a 6mm aluminium plate than on the thin plastic, although I have never been hung up on it. It is pretty close to the rear wheel so is not usually a serious low point.


The only thing that has happened to mine is that it is stone blasted, particularly on the front edge, which looks like someone has been hammering it. But then again, so is all the plastic trim along the bottom and in front of the rear wheel arch, not to mention the Kaymar rear bar and exposed bits of the camper trailer, despite most of the trailer being protected by a Stone Stomper. I run D697 285 x 60 R18 tyres, which are significantly wider than the LR mud flaps, so after thousands of km of outback "roads" over the last couple of years everything exposed has been stoned.


Bob


True, but if the guard is the reason you are getting 'Hung' ... which was the point of my question. However, you are right, the positioning of the compressor would generally prevent it hitting much anyway unless you are climbing up over edges, etc. I noticed on my old D4 that much of the scratching occurred on the chassis and reservoir well before the compressor.


If you do a lot of sand driving, over time a lot of the underside becomes free of paint .... requiring a bit of treatment to prevent surface rust.

[ADMIRAL]

Pics of the guard.
81755 81756

As you can see, it is almost just the thickness of the alloy off the chassis rail. Does a good job, even if the front can act as a scoop on sand

[Fred Nerk]

Not one to complain....but 15 months ago my MY12 D4 required the compressor up-grade. My previously installed GOE plate now no longer fits. GOE have been trying to come up with a solution in the form of a spacer of some sort, but I have given up on ever getting it. I am on my second plastic cover as the unprotected compressor cover is vulnerable (which is why I bought the plate in the first place).

If you have had a compressor replaced be aware that the GOE plate does not fit over all installations...........yet.

[TerryO]

I have had the compressor upgrade on my D3 and Gordon's guard fits over it fine.

If you guys had a look at the damage my compressor guard has received then you may feel inclined to get one.

For those of you who don't want theirs I'm in the market for another one if you want to sell yours. ... ;)

[JamesH]

Not one to complain....but 15 months ago my MY12 D4 required the compressor up-grade. My previously installed GOE plate now no longer fits. GOE have been trying to come up with a solution in the form of a spacer of some sort, but I have given up on ever getting it. I am on my second plastic cover as the unprotected compressor cover is vulnerable (which is why I bought the plate in the first place).

If you have had a compressor replaced be aware that the GOE plate does not fit over all installations...........yet.

Have to admit a mate of mine more practical than I fitted my compressor plate to my MY12 (late) and I don't know if it has the upgraded compressor fitted OEM or not but it did not take the five minutes the Gordon thought it would take to fit. It took over30 minutes and a fair bit of language came from under the car as i recall. Not so much difficult to fit but my mate was not happy with how the inboard fitting was done. He thought it was vulnerable to damaging the plastic cover at the fitting point if it receive a decent whack. Perhaps the design needs a bit of tweeking for later models.

[Fred Nerk]

When I first fitted the plate (before the compressor was replaced) it was an easy job and quick to do. Now the compressor extends lower and the plate cannot bear upon the sill/rock slider or the chassis rail. Any impact on the plate would be transferred to the compressor. Perhaps this explains the problem your mate was having.

[AnD3rew]

Gordon tells me that there is some variability in the fitting of the new compressor, but if the compressor is fitted properly the plate should fit. I have upgraded my compressor and the plate went back on fine, although I have to admit I didn't do it myself.

[Fred Nerk]

I checked the fasteners for my compressor and it is fitted as far into the space available as the tolerances will allow. The plate misses contact with one or other rail by 20mm depending on how it is "persuaded" during fitting. Gordon has indicted on a few occasions that mine is not the only one. He is working on a solution, but my car has been "at risk" for well over a year while I wait.

[Fred Nerk]

I recently received a suggestion from Gordon to see if the protection plate would fit with the lower plastic cover for the compressor removed. This morning I played around with the compressor and covers etc. again.

When I took off the lower plastic compressor cover the protection plate almost fitted. I decided to try to be “more creative”. Next I removed the top cover and undid all the mounting bolts and screws that held the compressor in position. I lowered it out without disconnecting any hoses or wires I wanted to check that the compressor had been installed as high as possible and that nothing was jammed above the top cover causing it to be displaced downwards. The rear air conditioner pipes are up there but not in the way.

No obvious issue was found so I repositioned the top plastic compressor cover and reinstalled the compressor. To be sure it was seated as high as possible I used a jack to support (and gently tweak) the bracket as I tightened the bolts.

I retried the GOE plate without the lower plastic compressor cover and it fitted easily. So easily, that I put the lower plastic compressor cover on again and while it is a “snug fit” the GOE plate fitted properly.

I drilled a slot in the GOE rock slider to allow a second bolt to fit through from the Compressor Plate to the car’s pre existing threaded hole (the rearmost one). Everything is sitting nicely and resting where it should.

I feel much more confident that the compressor is protected again.

[trevorj]

I had the new comp installed a year or so back (D4 MY11, early). The plastic cover seemed to hang lower than the OEM (well below the chassis), so I put on a GOE plate - with bit of fiddling, fitted OK, without pushing on the cover. Just back from 12k thru central road and various side tracks, about half on gravel. Plate got a beating from stones, but seems to have done the job.

[LGM]

I have a MY11 D4 with the AMK replacement compressor fitted. The GOE plate fits over the compressor and its plastic cover just fine. Recent trips into the Gascoyne and Murchison all dirt with lots of rocks / stones has again demonstrated its worth to me.