- Replacement Expansion Valve
- O-rings (Usually included with the expansion valve)
- Refrigerant Recovery and Charging Equipment (if system refrigerant needs to be recovered)
- Socket and Wrench Set
- Screwdriver
- Safety Glasses
- Gloves
Procedure:
Note: Before starting any work, make sure the vehicle's air conditioning system is discharged of refrigerant. This is a job that should be done by a trained professional if you're not comfortable handling refrigerants.
1. Locate the expansion valve. On most vehicles, it is located on the firewall near the evaporator core. It's usually a small, cylindrical-shaped component with two or three refrigerant lines connected to it.
2. Remove the refrigerant lines. Use a wrench to loosen the nuts or bolts holding the refrigerant lines to the expansion valve. Be careful not to damage the lines or spill any refrigerant.
3. Unscrew the expansion valve from the evaporator core. Use a wrench to loosen the nut or bolt holding the expansion valve to the evaporator core. Be careful not to damage the evaporator core.
4. Replace the O-rings. Remove the old O-rings from the expansion valve and replace them with new ones. Make sure the O-rings are seated properly.
5. Reinstall the expansion valve. Screw the expansion valve back into the evaporator core. Hand-tighten it first and then use a wrench to tighten it securely.
6. Reattach the refrigerant lines. Reattach the refrigerant lines to the expansion valve. Hand-tighten the nuts or bolts first and then use a wrench to tighten them securely.
7. Recharge the air conditioning system (optional). If the refrigerant was recovered from the system, you will need to recharge it. This should be done by a trained professional who has the proper equipment and refrigerants.
8. Test the air conditioning system. Once the system is recharged, test the air conditioning to ensure it is functioning properly.
