I have a Lexus ES 300, and recently I have been hearing this sound coming from the right side of my car, at first I thought that It might be the brakes, however, I them replaced, and the sound it still there, I have now, discovered that the sound is coming from my a/c. The sound sounds like a hissing "e" sound, and it is coming from my air conditioning. I was wondering is there anything that I may need to check or replace regarding my a/c??

 

Expansion valve

 

Is the expansion valve something that I would have a got to a shop and get it professionally replaced. Exactally what does the expansion valve do?

 

What year is your ES? Lexus has a campain on the early ES for the replacment of this. PL 1 I think, The expansion valve changes the liquid freon to a gas causing the cooling effect.
I would not do this at home, you can not buy R12 any way with out a cert.,it is a process that takes some knowlege even if I don't know how too spell I SURE NOW ABOUT THIS LEXI'S.

As far as all you other people out there give your dealer a break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are doing our very best at exceding your expectations.
You can not please everyone every time BUT WE SURE DO TRY.

 

I just looked at your year of ES, A 98 should still be in warranty unless the mileage is over 50k If you are in south Fl. see Don Cook at JM Lexus
Hay Don I got you.

 

The PL1 was for leaks, not hissing. Not pertaining to the 98 es300.

 

I have the same problem on my brand new '02 IS300!

The dealers are trying to tell me this is a normal noise. Is this true? Please tell me I did not just buy a car that is going to hiss at me for its intire lifespan.

Ben

 

It's going to hiss.

Sorry!