Replace Your Car's AC Thermal Expansion Valve or Orifice Tube
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 AutoChoice Service 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.
Reviews
Fantastic service, very knowledgeable techs that are very willing to admit “we can’t be 100% sure because of the proprietary computers on the car…”. They are very reasonable/free with providing diagnostics even if it takes them a couple hours. Oesten Nelson, 06/04/2025 |
Genuinely good people who you can trust to give you honest advice and fair prices. I can’t tell you what a relief it is to be so far from my hometown and to have someone I can 100% trust and recommend for all of my car needs. Not only are they fair and educated individuals, but they’re very kind here as well. Definitely would recommend! Destinie Rodriguez-Lopez, 04/24/2025 |
These folks are legit. I needed an urgent repair in order to travel home and they were willing to help me out even though they were swamped. They didn’t make any promises they couldn’t keep, they told it exactly like it was, and still somehow miraculously got me back on the road. I’m so glad the tow truck driver recommended them - they did everything they could and they did great! Hannah Fidler, 01/21/2025 |