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. Remove the bolt that secures the refrigerant line retainer bracket to the right shock tower.

A/C Expansion Valve - Tapping Plate:

3. Remove the nut that secures the refrigerant line tapping plate to the A/C expansion valve.
4. Disconnect the A/C suction line and the A/C liquid line from the A/C expansion valve and position the refrigerant lines out of the way.
5. Remove the O-ring seal from the suction and liquid line fittings and discard.
6. Install plugs in, or tape over the opened suction and liquid line fittings.

A/C Expansion Valve:

7. Remove the two bolts that secure the A/C expansion valve to the evaporator tube tapping plate.
8. Remove the A/C expansion valve from the evaporator tube tapping plate.
9. Remove the O-ring seals from the evaporator tube fittings and discard.
10. Install plugs in, or tape over the opened evaporator tube fittings and all expansion valve ports.
11. Remove expansion valve.

INSTALLATION
1. Remove the tape or plugs from the evaporator tube fittings and all of the expansion valve ports.
2. Lubricate new rubber O-ring seals with clean refrigerant oil and install them on to the evaporator tube fittings. Use only the specified O-rings as they are 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 onto the evaporator tube tapping plate.
4. Install the two bolts that secure the A/C expansion valve to the evaporator tube tapping plate. 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 new O-ring seals with clean refrigerant oil and install them 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 and the A/C liquid line to the A/C expansion valve.
8. Install the nut that secures the refrigerant line tapping plate to the A/C expansion valve. Tighten the nut to 23 N.m (17 ft. lbs.).
9. Position the refrigerant line retainer bracket to the right shock tower and install the bolt securely.
10. Evacuate the refrigerant system.
11. Charge the refrigerant system.