Expansion Valve: Service and Repair

REMOVAL

WARNING: REFER TO THE APPLICABLE WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS FOR THIS SYSTEM BEFORE PERFORMING THE FOLLOWING OPERATION. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.




1. Recover the refrigerant from the refrigerant system.
2. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable.
3. Remove the bolt (5) that secures the refrigerant line mounting bracket (6) to the left front shock tower (4).
4. Remove the nut (9) that secures the refrigerant line tapping block (10) to the A/C expansion valve (1).
5. Disconnect the wire harness (3) from the A/C pressure transducer (2) to help allow access to the A/C expansion valve.
6. Disconnect the A/C suction line (7) and the A/C liquid line (8) from the A/C expansion valve and position the refrigerant lines out of the way.
7. Remove the dual plane seal from the suction and liquid line fittings and discard.
8. Install plugs in, or tape over the opened suction and liquid line fittings.




9. Remove the two bolts (1) that secure the A/C expansion valve (2) to the evaporator tube tapping block located within the foam seal (3).
10. Remove the A/C expansion valve from the evaporator tube tapping block and foam seal.
11. Remove the dual plane seal from the evaporator tube fittings and discard.
12. Install plugs in, or tape over the opened evaporator tube fittings and all expansion valve ports.

INSTALLATION




1. Remove the tape or plugs from the evaporator tube fittings and all of the expansion valve ports.
2. Lubricate a new dual plane seal with clean refrigerant oil and install it onto the evaporator tube fittings. Use only the specified seal as it is made of a special material for the R-134a system. Use only refrigerant oil of the type recommended for the A/C compressor in the vehicle.
3. Install the A/C expansion valve (2) onto the evaporator tube tapping block located within the foam seal (3).
4. Install the two bolts (1) that secure the A/C expansion valve to the evaporator tube tapping block. Tighten the bolts to 11 N.m (97 in.lbs.).




5. Remove the tape or plugs from the suction and liquid line fittings.
6. Lubricate a new dual plane seal with clean refrigerant oil and install it onto the suction and liquid line fittings. Use only the specified seal as it is made of a special material for the R-134a system. Use only refrigerant oil of the type recommended for the A/C compressor in the vehicle.
7. Connect the A/C suction line (7) and the A/C liquid line (8) to the A/C expansion valve (1).
8. Install the nut (9) that secures the refrigerant line tapping block (10) to the A/C expansion valve. Tighten the nut to 23 N.m (17 ft.lbs.).
9. Install the bolt (5) that secures the refrigerant line mounting bracket (6) to the left front shock tower (4) Tighten the bolt to 11 N.m (100 in.lbs.).
10. Connect the wire harness (3) to the A/C pressure transducer (2).
11. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
12. Evacuate the refrigerant system.
13. Recharge the refrigerant system.