Table of Contents
Where is AC expansion valve located?
evaporator
The expansion valve is situated in the liquid line between the condenser and the inlet of the evaporator. It operates on the opposite side of the system, relative to the compressor.
How do you know if your AC expansion valve is bad?
The most recognizable symptom of a bad A/C expansion valve is when you turn on your air conditioner and warm air starts blowing out of the vents. This would obviously mean that not enough refrigerant is making its way to the core of the evaporator.
How do you unstick an AC expansion valve?
Even holding he bulb in your hand should provide enough heat to open the valve. Next, place the TXV bulb into cold water. This should cause the expansion valve to close reducing the amount of refrigerant to pass thought the TXV into the coil. Suction pressure should drop, and superheat should rise.
How do you check a AC expansion valve?
You need to raise the temperature of the sensing bulb to determine if the expansion valve is activating. One easy way is to simply drop it in a cup of warm water. Otherwise, you can simply hold the bulb in your hand throughout the duration of the test.
How long does it take to replace an expansion valve?
This might take as much as 20 minutes if the system is full. If you can’t get access to the appropriate recovery machine by borrowing or renting, you can have a mechanic come to your house and evacuate the system for you.
How much does it cost to replace AC expansion valve?
Replacing an HVAC thermostatic expansion valve costs $100 to $500. It’s also called a thermal expansion valve. Manufacturers may list it as TXV or TEV. The TXV controls the pressure of the refrigerant as it goes to the evaporator coil.
What happens when an expansion valve goes bad?
If the AC expansion valve fails or sticks open, it will cause the compressor to pump refrigerant through the vehicle’s AC system, even when it may be undesirable for it to do so. This will put an additional strain on the compressor and associated AC components, making them more susceptible to premature failure.
How do I know if my expansion valve is clogged?
Symptoms of a bad expansion valve
- Car AC system isn’t cooling enough or won’t cool at all.
- High side pressure is high.
- Air coming from vents is frosty.
- AC blows cold, then hot.
- AC kicks on and then immediately kicks off.
- Airflow drops dramatically from vents.
What happens if expansion valve is stuck open?
If the expansion valve is stuck open or clogged, the AC system will not cool properly. A clogged valve will lead to too little refrigerant, increasing the pressure in the system and causing the AC compressor to overheat.