gtmuggs

iTrader: (1)

Just checking to see if anyone has heard of an AC expansion valve. i took my car to the shop the other day to get the AC recharged and the mechanic told me my AC expansion valve was not opening all the way and needed to be replaced. Im wondering where this part is located where can i buy it and has anyone else put one on their car?

scubasteve

iTrader: (6)

if you've never done it then let the mechanic, shouldnt be too much $$

gtmuggs

iTrader: (1)

have you heard of the expansion valve?

scubasteve

iTrader: (6)

yes i have, spent more than a few years selling parts and ive been around cars my whole life =]

gtmuggs

iTrader: (1)

oh ok do u know ballpark price that i should expect to pay for the part?

scubasteve

iTrader: (6)

http://www.caawparts.com/index.asp?P...APAAID=1211432

99se5speed

iTrader: (8)

It'll be around 60 bucks at the dealer.

Timothios

Got mine from Advanced Auto parts. Cost about $30. It is behind your glove box with the evaporator. Easy change out. You will need foam tape, though.

BlackMazi

what kind of symptoms do you have with your expansion valve not opening all the way? I think i have the same problem because I've had my system evac and charged 2 times and my AC is still very inconsistent.

gtmuggs

iTrader: (1)

my AC gets cool at highway speeds and in cooler weather around 70-85 but in stop and go and 90 degree plus weather it blows rather warm.

BlackMazi

same exact problem as me. I got quoted $500+ tax to replace that + r134

evil_spork

iTrader: (1)

the expantion valve uses tempurature to control the flow of refrigerant to the evaporator(the part that gets cold)

they call them TXV's, thermal expansion valve. if yours isnt working properly your AC will probably suck. replacing it should be left to a mechanic.

as for price? prepare to pay out the nose...

gtmuggs

iTrader: (1)

how easy is it to change out and do you think it might be possible for you to do a right up on changing one out?

scubasteve

iTrader: (6)

personally i feel A/C is not something you should ever do on your own. Let the pros do it

southeast_first

iTrader: (3)

personally i feel you're wasting a lot of money. if you have the first idea what you're doing, the air conditioning is one of the easiest and least "risky" parts of the car to work on.

f550maranello2

iTrader: (2)

it its a lot of money but ac is not an easy thing to work on... especially if u have problems with the system leaking..... first of all the system is under pressure.. to fill it is a lot harder than one thinks.. the old stuff must be taken out under vaccum and filled and tested for leaks.. not a easy job at all

southeast_first

iTrader: (3)

short of evacuating old refrigerant, nothing about ac work needs a shop. i know because i've DONE everything else. it's a lot of work, but it's easy because you can't screw it up. the worst that can happen is just that your ac doesn't work... provided you don't do something REALLY stupid.

f550maranello2

iTrader: (2)

well changing parts is easy but filling it with walmart or autozone r134 is the part that needs a professional..

Timothios

Can you trust the shop you took it to? The reason I'm saying this is it would really suck to change out the expansion valve and then realize that the compressor was bad. Did they check the compressor?
Expansion valve replacement
1. drain r134
2. unscrew tubing nuts when tubing enters firewall (under the hood)
3. remove glove box
4. remove support bar behind glove box
5. You may have to cut or break the plastic trim behind the support.
6. unscrew and remove big black box
7. expansion valve is inside big black box. I didn't open the box but instead removed the valve throught the opening in the side. It can be challenging to get the tools in there.
8. Carefully install the new expansion valve. Do not kink the tubing!
9. put everything back together.