Expansion Valve: Service and Repair

Front

WARNING: REVIEW THE WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS IN THE GENERAL INFORMATION BEFORE PERFORMING THE FOLLOWING OPERATION.

REMOVAL
1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
2. Recover the refrigerant from the refrigerant system.
3. Remove the screw that secures the filter-drier to its mounting bracket.

Front Expansion Valve Remove/Install:

4. Remove the screw that secures the block fitting of the suction line jumper to the expansion valve, and separate the fitting from the expansion valve. Install plugs in, or tape over all of the opened refrigerant line fittings.
5. Move the suction line jumper and filter-drier as a unit away from the expansion valve far enough to access the mounting screws.
6. Remove the two screws that secure the expansion valve to the evaporator coil block fitting, and separate the expansion valve from the fitting. Install plugs in, or tape over all of the opened refrigerant line fittings.

INSTALLATION
1. Remove the tape or plugs from the evaporator coil block fitting and the evaporator side of the expansion valve. Position the expansion valve to the evaporator coil block fitting and secure the connection with two screws. Tighten the mounting screws to 11.4 N.m (100 in. lbs.).
2. Remove the tape or plugs from the block fitting on the suction line jumper and the expansion valve. Position the suction line jumper block fitting to the expansion valve and secure the connection with a screw. Tighten the mounting screw to 22 N.m (200 in. lbs.).
3. Reinstall the screw that secures the filter-drier to its mounting bracket. Tighten the mounting screw to 8.5 N.m (75 in. lbs.).
4. Connect the battery negative cable.
5. Evacuate the refrigerant system.
6. Charge the refrigerant system.

Rear

The rear expansion valve is used only on models with the optional rear heater-A/C unit. The expansion valve can be removed without removing the rear heater-A/C unit from the vehicle.

REMOVAL
1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
2. Recover the refrigerant from the refrigerant system.
3. Remove the cover from the rear heater-A/C unit.

Rear Expansion Valve Remove/Install:

4. Remove the screw from the adapter plate that secures the rear heater-A/C unit liquid and suction lines to the expansion valve.
5. Separate the rear heater-A/C unit liquid and suction lines from the expansion valve. Install plugs in, or tape over all of the opened refrigerant line fittings.
6. Remove the two screws that secure the expansion valve to the rear heater-A/C unit combination coil evaporator tube bracket. Install plugs in, or tape over all of the opened refrigerant line fittings.
7. Remove the expansion valve from the rear heater-A/C unit.

INSTALLATION
1. Remove the tape or plugs from the combination coil evaporator tube bracket and the evaporator side of the expansion valve. Position the expansion valve to the tube bracket and secure the connection with two screws. Tighten the mounting screws to 11.4 N.m (100 in. lbs.).
2. Remove the tape or plugs from the rear heater- A/C unit suction and liquid lines and from the expansion valve. Position the suction and liquid lines to the expansion valve and secure the connection with the adapter plate and mounting screw. Tighten the mounting screw to 22 N.m (200 in. lbs.).
3. Reinstall the cover to the rear heater-A/C unit. See Rear Heater-A/C Cover.
4. Connect the battery negative cable.
5. Evacuate the refrigerant system.
6. Charge the refrigerant system.