Your car or truck's AC system is under extreme pressure and the thermal expansion valve or orifice tube monitors the amount of pressure and the temperature of your A/C system. It calculates the precise amount of refrigerant that can safely go into the evaporator. A failing expansion valve or orifice tube often causes a vehicle's air conditioner to blow hot air.
Replace or Repair
- Expansion Valves: Too much refrigerant causes your evaporator to get too cold whereas too little refrigerant would result in inadequate cooling. The expansion valve is a complex valve that regulates refrigerant flow. This process of metering the refrigerant adjusts the flow according to the temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator coil. Talk to one of the pro mechanics at P & A Smith Auto Maintenance, as this part can be replaced on its own and does not require the entire replacement of the AC assembly.
- Orifice Tubes: Unlike the expansion valve, the orifice tube is a simple fixed device with no moving parts. It therefore cannot vary the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator, but rather causes a permanent restriction in the system. However, like the expansion valve the orifice tube regulates refrigerant flow through the system and filters debris which may come through in its screen. Often fixing a "bad orifice tube" requires replacing the entire evaporator assembly.
More AC Repair Services:
Truck and Car AC Repair Services
Freon Recharging Services For Your Car Or Truck
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What our clients are saying about us
We have established longterm and stable partnerships with various clients thanks to our excellence in solving their automotive needs!
We used P&A for all our automotive services when we had a Volvo, Mazda, and a VW. Over time those cars were replaced by three Toyotas (2004 Matrix, 2008 Tundra, 2016 Prius) and it became more convenient (if somewhat more expensive) to take them all to the nearer Toyota dealer. When I took the Matrix to the dealership for its NC state inspection I was surprised to hear that it failed due to "leaking steering pump return line", and that replacing all three lines (along with a long-known leaking valve cover gasket) would amount to a major fraction of the worth of the car. The dealership wouldn't clear the block on the state inspection until it was repaired. I took it to P&A and not only did they diagnose that the problem was really only the leaking valve cover gasket (which took some effort to discern) but P&A's estimate to replace the gasket was half that of the dealership. Plus, they worked it into the next day's schedule. Clint was very accommodating! As a result, we will be taking the Matrix and the Tundra to P&A from now on. (The Prius still has a little warranty left.) Very highly recommended!
Honest, quality repairs at a good price.
