AC Expansion Valve

[jtinsley]

Hey all,

I have my toy in the shop getting the AC fixed. They told me I need to have the expansion valve replaced and then gave me the standard 1500 dollar quote. Does that sound a high to you? Sure does to me but I don't know a damn thing about AC other than it's hot inthe car without it.

BTW. They just replaced the compressor and told me that I shouldn't run the AC until I have the expansion valve work done. Comments?

Tanks in advance,
j

 

[nsxlr8]

I might know a little something, Im more performance than repair. The expansion valve may be clogged with something that might have come from your bad compressor - metal shards /dirt whatever. If you run the new compressor and the expansion valve lets go of that piece of dirt or metal shaving, it will screw up you whole system all over again and everything will need to be replaced. It's been awhile, but I think the valve is under the dash and in the manual it says that has to be removed. The same book also says it takes 8 hours to remove. If it's the same valve I'm thinking of, down in the dash, You don't actually have to remove the dash (I wouldn't want anyone doing that anyway, think of all the things that could get broken in the process) You can go in through the front of the car by removing the blower motor.

 

[nsxhk]

NSXLR8 is right, you don't need to remove the dash to change the expansion valve. It doesn't take that long either.

 

[jtinsley]

Thanks for the responses.

I have called a couple shops here and they are all saying that they can't get to the valve by removing the blower motor. Is there anything else that you have to do to get to it? It sounds like if it's a 1-2 hour job and all you have to do is remove the blower motor and misc stuff in the area then I could do it myself... with the exception of charging the system.

I certainly don't want to pay over a grand to replace a part that costs $80.68 if I don't have to.

Thoughts??