95 ES Expansion Valve & Receiver Dryer DIY
11-15-10, 10:36 PM
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95 ES Expansion Valve & Receiver Dryer DIY
This is a work in progress as I want to post this DIY but don't have a lot of time at one sitting to get it all done. I will edit and update as I have time.
My AC was acting up. On a hot day, it would run cold for about 5 minutes, and then just blow hot air. On cooler days, it would run OK. I had the car at a shop for some other work and asked to have them check into this issue. I was told it was a bad expansion valve because the low pressure side dropped to a vacuum when the hot air started blowing. Apparently, a classic sign of a bad expansion valve. The quote was for ~5-6 hours of labor to replace the expansion valve and receiver dryer. At least $700, probably around $900 job including parts. A bit too steep for me, but I wanted to keep this car for a while, so I decided to try to tackle this one myself.
I had the refrigerant evacuated at a local gas station and took proper precaution (gloves, long sleeve shirt/pants, goggles, face mask). Don't attempt this if you are at all unsure about the AC system and don't have safety gear.
Here are some picture of the repair.
The evaporator is circled here. You have to remove the glove box, ECU, blower unit in order to access the evaporator. The expansion valve is attached to the evaporator, so you have to remove the evaporator to get to the expansion valve.
My AC was acting up. On a hot day, it would run cold for about 5 minutes, and then just blow hot air. On cooler days, it would run OK. I had the car at a shop for some other work and asked to have them check into this issue. I was told it was a bad expansion valve because the low pressure side dropped to a vacuum when the hot air started blowing. Apparently, a classic sign of a bad expansion valve. The quote was for ~5-6 hours of labor to replace the expansion valve and receiver dryer. At least $700, probably around $900 job including parts. A bit too steep for me, but I wanted to keep this car for a while, so I decided to try to tackle this one myself.
I had the refrigerant evacuated at a local gas station and took proper precaution (gloves, long sleeve shirt/pants, goggles, face mask). Don't attempt this if you are at all unsure about the AC system and don't have safety gear.
Here are some picture of the repair.
The evaporator is circled here. You have to remove the glove box, ECU, blower unit in order to access the evaporator. The expansion valve is attached to the evaporator, so you have to remove the evaporator to get to the expansion valve.
Last edited by schan1w; 11-15-10 at 10:41 PM.
11-15-10, 10:42 PM
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Disconnect AC lines
Disconnect the AC lines - be careful here, as there will also be left over refrigerant in the system. Use a long extension, wear gloves, and cover with a towel.
11-15-10, 10:45 PM
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Torque the screws properly
Make sure to torque the 2 screws properly so the lines won't leak. I circled the open AC lines on the other end that attach to the firewall. I wrapped them in a zip lock to keep dirt and moisture out.
11-15-10, 10:50 PM
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Vacuum pump
I bought this vacuum pump to evacuate air out of my system after finishing the repair.
http://www.amazon.com/Interdynamics-...890114&sr=8-15
http://www.amazon.com/Interdynamics-...890114&sr=8-15
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11-15-10, 10:52 PM
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Manifold gauge set
I used this manifold gauge set to connect the vacuum pump to the AC system and used this set to recharge with R134A form Walmart.
http://www.amazon.com/ATD-Tools-3687...=pd_sbs_auto_2
http://www.amazon.com/ATD-Tools-3687...=pd_sbs_auto_2
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