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 Parkdale Auto, 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

ASE Master Technician
ASE (Automotive Service Excellence)
Carfax
PWI
Car Care Aware

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!

Lifesavers! We were driving back to back to the Chicago area from Arcadia on a time crunch and our car started making a loud whining sound- they looked at the car right away, diagnosed the problem (slow leak in a cooler line), filled us with oil and told us what to do to get back safety until we could get into our mechanic. We were back in the road in under 15 minutes! Thank you so much Parkdale Auto!! quotes-image
reviewicon
Want to thank Anna and the crew for getting me and my husband in a great car. We appreciate it. They are so nice and very helpful. Again thank you!quotes-image
reviewicon