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 Shelley's Precision Auto Center, 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.
Partners
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!
Absolutely love Shelley's and I am a repeat and ongoing customer! I'm always looking for a place that I feel comfortable going to on my own without my fiance as I'm not mechanically savvy and this is it! Christy, who is at the front desk and keeps this place running is so warm and welcoming. She does her job well and is always moving whether it is answering phone calls or managing all the different keys and customers. She remembered me after my first visit! The mechanics here are trustworthy and do their job well. I've gotten two reasonably priced oil changes and also brought my car in for a tire repair and I'm very happy with all my interactions at Shelley's. I would suggest making an appointment or dropping off your car because this place IS BUSY. If you are doing a walk in expect to wait a couple of hours, but otherwise I will definitely be back for all my car related concerns!
Christy, who runs the front of the shop, is the best. I needed to get my car smog checked. The problem was I had a check engine light. Shelley's did a diagnosis and was able to clear the check engine, but the codes would still not pass. We were able to assess the problem that could have been $$$ in parts and labor for a catalytic converter, but there was an alternative to flush out the codes for an indefinite amount of miles. I checked once a week before work at Shelley's to see if it my car cleared. Every time, denied. Then my check engine light went on again! Hope was lost. I gave up going to Shelley's for months. Until today. When I got in my car and was heading to work the check engine light was off. I immediately went to Shelley's. The codes were clean! We ran the smog and passed. I am legit on the road again. Thanks for your persistence with me Shelley's! I'll be a lifetime customer.