Note: Please consult your vehicle's service manual for specific procedures and safety precautions as instructions may vary based on the year and model of your C280.
1. Safety Precautions:
- Disconnect the negative terminal of the vehicle's battery before starting any work to prevent electrical accidents.
- Wear safety glasses and appropriate clothing to protect yourself.
2. Locate the AC Expansion Valve:
- The AC expansion valve is usually located on the low-pressure side of the AC system, often near the firewall or the evaporator inlet.
3. Recover AC Refrigerant:
- Before attempting to replace the expansion valve, you'll need to recover the AC refrigerant from the system. This step requires specialized equipment and is best done by a trained technician.
4. Disconnect AC Lines:
-Disconnect the AC lines leading to and from the expansion valve. Note the positions of these lines as they will need to be reconnected correctly.
5. Remove the Old Expansion Valve:
- Carefully unscrew the old expansion valve from its mounting location.
6. Clean the Area:
- Clean the area around the mounting surface of the expansion valve to remove any dirt or debris.
7. Install New Expansion Valve:
- Place the new expansion valve in its mounting location and hand-tighten the mounting bolts.
- Gradually tighten the bolts evenly to their specified torque using a torque wrench. Refer to your vehicle's service manual for the exact torque values.
8. Reconnect AC Lines:
- Reconnect the AC lines you disconnected earlier, matching their original positions. Tighten the connections to their specified torque.
9. Charge with AC Refrigerant:
- Once the expansion valve is installed and lines reconnected, the AC system will need to be charged with fresh refrigerant. This step requires specialized equipment and can be done by a technician.
10. Performance Check:
- Test the functionality of the AC system by turning on the vehicle's climate control and checking if the air conditioning is performing as expected.
Remember, AC system work can be complex and involves the handling of pressurized refrigerant, so if you're unfamiliar with doing this type of work, it's best to leave it to a professional technician.
