Expansion Valve

Expansion Valve

• After switching off the A/C compressor in this vehicle, it may take a relatively long time for the pressure on the high pressure side to decrease. This is because the expansion valve is cold and the pressure on the low pressure side increases quickly after shutting the compressor off, then the expansion valve closes and the refrigerant flows slowly to the low pressure side.

• In model year 2007, the hose piece in the refrigerant line on the high pressure side (thin line) - C - was discontinued as a running change. Bend a refrigerant line - C - carefully, and only as far as absolutely necessary to remove the expansion valve. If necessary, loosen a refrigerant line that has no flexible piece of tubing out of the bracket so that the refrigerant line does not get damaged.






Removing

- Switch off ignition.






- Discharge refrigerant circuit.

- Disconnect refrigerant lines from expansion valve. Refer to=> [ Refrigerant Lines, Disconnecting and Connecting From Expansion Valve ] Refrigerant Lines, Disconnecting and Connecting From Expansion Valve.

- Remove bolts - A -.

- Pull expansion valve - B - out of heat protection insulation - C -.

• Seal all open lines and connections on evaporator with suitable caps (avoid dirt and moisture from entering the system).

Installing

• Tightening specification: Bolts - A - (expansion valve to bracket on evaporator) - 10 Nm

Installation is carried out in the reverse order while noting the following:

- Replace O-rings - D - and - E -. Version, refer to Electronic Parts Catalog.

- Make sure that O-rings - D - and - E - are properly seated on connecting pipes to evaporator - F - and - G -.

• Expansion valve is available in different versions (same housing but a different control characteristic), therefore ensure the exact allocation. Refer to Electronic Parts Catalog (ETKA).






• Coat the O-ring seals lightly with refrigerant oil prior to installation. Refer to=> [ Refrigerant Circuit O-rings ] Refrigerant Circuit O-rings.

• If heat protection insulation - C - is missing or not installed correctly, it can cause reduced performance of the A/C system (change of adjusted control characteristic of expansion valve due to radiant heat).

- Install refrigerant lines on the A/C compressor. Refer to => [ Refrigerant Lines, Disconnecting and Connecting From Expansion Valve ] Refrigerant Lines, Disconnecting and Connecting From Expansion Valve.

- Discharge and fill the refrigerant circuit.

- Install remaining components.

- Operate the A/C system after filling the refrigerant circuit. Refer to=> [ A/C System, Operating After Filling Refrigerant Circuit ] A/C System, Operating After Filling Refrigerant Circuit.

• Note the information regarding operating the A/C system after filling.