Gen 3.5 AC Expansion Valve Repair

[camryelaine]

Good Gen 3.5 lovers of the TN,

Does anyone know how to fix expansion valve in AC system. Haynes manual doesn't have any topic on it.

Local mechanic wants 380, which is too steep and I don't feel like dumping more money into it when considering the car is going to put on sale next year, any takes on it wold be appreciated, thanks

[dc_98_cam]

A common problem is for the expansion valve, where the cooling effect takes place, is to become clogged with debris. This debris might be just a slow accumulation over several years, or possibly a sudden accumulation from a compressor that has gone bad. I am guessing the the $380 estimate is just to start with. ..... Working with the AC system is generally not too difficult, but you have to get a professional shop to evacuate the system .... it's the law. ... You also might have to get a nominal refrigerant license ....$20 or so on the internet, in order to be able to purchase refrigerant over the counter. .... Maybe just find a shop to discharge the refrigerant, you replace th parts, and then go back to the shop to refill the refrigerant.
Why does the mechanic think that it's just the expansion valve that's defective?
What year/model is you vehicle? Has it been converted from R-12, or is it original R134, or what?

[camryelaine]

The car is a 96 Camry so it's R13 compliance.

The mechanic hooked guages to AC system, one guage shows it still has some freon remaining and one guage shows no pressure going through the system. No further testing beyond that, so it's wholely the mechanic instinct on determining faulty expansion valve is causing problem.

[dc_98_cam]

If it was my vehicle, I would make a deal with the neighborhood repair shop to evacuate the R134. Then I would take it home, replace the compressor ... the thing is 10 yr. old, replace the expansion valve, replace the filter/dryer unit, and then take it back to the shop to refill with refrigerant. ... If on examination of the refrigerant lines, and the expansion valve, it appears that there is debris or detritus inside, it may be necessary to flush the system, since the compressor has deteriorated and caused foreign material to be pushed through the lines .... Flushing the system is something that I'm not too familiar with. ....See what the shop says. .... If it doesn't have to be flushed, it could be a relatively simple job.... Also replace the valve stems in the high and low pressure gauge connections. .... Also have system checked for leaks. .... usually at some hose or line connection.

[davemac2]

You can't 'fix' the expansion valve. It needs to be replaced. I believe the camry EV is under the dash with the Evaporator, so it involves some labor. His price is not out of line IMHO. I think dc_98_cam's advice is good. If you are going to open up the AC system, you may be better off replacing the compressor too possibly. If you don't want to do that, then you at least need to also replace the receiver/dryer and the nitrile o-rings in the system. As well do a full flush with some AC flush from Napa (gallon) and use something like this to flush the high and low lines and the evaporator (after the exp valve is removed). Don't flush thru the compressor or the condenser.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Robin...spagenameZWDVW

[GrkBallaG]

Originally Posted by camryelaine

The car is a 96 Camry so it's R13 compliance.

The mechanic hooked guages to AC system, one guage shows it still has some freon remaining and one guage shows no pressure going through the system. No further testing beyond that, so it's wholely the mechanic instinct on determining faulty expansion valve is causing problem.

, doesnt really make sense. If the expansion valve was the promblem the pressure would be through the roof. Sounds like you have a massive leak somewhere.

[ruoknow]

Does your AC work for a while and than blow warm?