Expansion Valve: Service and Repair

Front A/C Expansion Valve


Review the applicable warnings and cautions for this system before performing the following operation. Failure to follow the warnings and cautions may result in serious or fatal injury.

Removing

- Recover the refrigerant from the refrigerant system. Refer to => [ Refrigerant System, Recovery ] Refrigerant System, Recovery.

- Remove the nut (3) that secures the A/C suction line (1) and the A/C liquid line (4) to the A/C expansion valve (2).

- Disconnect the A/C suction and liquid lines from the A/C expansion valve and remove and discard the washer seals.

- Remove the two bolts (1) that secure the A/C expansion valve (2) to the A/C evaporator.

- Remove the A/C expansion valve from the A/C evaporator and remove and discard the O-ring seals.

- Install plugs in, or tape over the opened refrigerant line fittings and the evaporator and expansion valve ports.

Installing


Be certain to adjust the refrigerant oil level when servicing the A/C refrigerant system. Refer to => [ A/C Compressor Refrigerant Oil Charge ] A/C Compressor Refrigerant Oil Charge. Failure to properly adjust the refrigerant oil level will prevent the A/C system from operating as designed and can cause serious A/C compressor damage.

• When replacing multiple A/C system components, refer to the refrigerant oil capacities chart to determine how much oil should be added to the refrigerant system. Refer to => [ A/C Compressor Refrigerant Oil Charge ] A/C Compressor Refrigerant Oil Charge.

• Replacement of the seals is required anytime a refrigerant line or expansion valve is disconnected. Failure to replace the rubber and metal washer seals may result in a refrigerant system leak.








- Remove the tape or plugs from the opened refrigerant line fittings and the evaporator and expansion valve ports.

- Lubricate new seals with clean refrigerant oil and install them onto the evaporator tube fittings. Use only the specified seals as they are made of a special material for the R-134a system. Use only refrigerant oil of the type recommended for the A/C compressor in the vehicle.

- Install the A/C expansion valve (2) onto the A/C evaporator.

- Install the two bolts (1) that secure the A/C expansion valve to the A/C evaporator. Tighten the bolts to 11 Nm (97 in lbs).






- Lubricate new washer seals with clean refrigerant oil and install them onto the refrigerant line fittings. Use only the specified seals as they are made of a special material for the R-134a system. Use only refrigerant oil of the type recommended for the A/C compressor in the vehicle.


Use care when installing the A/C lines to the A/C expansion valve. Carefully align the tube ends with the valve prior to tightening the A/C line retaining nut or damage to the sealing rings and tube ends may occur.

- Connect the A/C suction line (1) and the A/C liquid line (4) to the A/C expansion valve (2).

- Install the nut (3) that secures the A/C suction and liquid lines to the A/C expansion valve. Tighten the nut to 20 Nm (15 ft lbs).

- Evacuate the refrigerant system. Refer to => [ Refrigerant System, Evacuate ] Refrigerant System, Evacuate.

- Adjust the refrigerant oil level. Refer to => [ A/C Compressor Refrigerant Oil Charge ] A/C Compressor Refrigerant Oil Charge.

- Charge the refrigerant system. Refer to => [ Refrigerant System, Charging ] Refrigerant System, Charging.