Where is the a/c expansion valve?
- Thread starter Tjmoney
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Please give some history of what is happening. Then some history of your experience and equipment related to servicing AC units.
I did it over 20-30 years but I doubt I will touch another except minor matters. 700.00! Did you get a 2nd and 3rd opinion at Mid Level Certified Shops?
I did it over 20-30 years but I doubt I will touch another except minor matters. 700.00! Did you get a 2nd and 3rd opinion at Mid Level Certified Shops?
Jow...thank you for responding! The ac was blowing cold and hot out of different vents and I checked the spy galss and realized it was low on freon. The shop filled it up and said it was the expansion valve and the o-rings are known for leaking. The freon fill lasted 2 months and its back doing the same thing again. I bought a expansion valve but I'm not sure where it is. I've looked at Chilton's and it doesn't show where it is. I've looked online and there is no info on the 4th gen runners expansion valve. I don't have any equipment to check the pressures but I'm not scared to open the dash up to fix it. I have inspected it with a black light but I don't see any leaks. I guess I should get another opinion somewhere else...I just don't want to keep on paying for evac and fill I just want to fix it. I would love any help you can give. Thx
How does he know the 'expansion valve' is the problem? Is there dye in the system? If so, do you see dye coming out of the evap drain? Did he use a gas sniffer to prove there is a leak? Do you smell the R134 inside the 4runner?
The expansion valve is inside the dash connected to the to the evap. Check the downloadable shop manual on this site. It is in 0430032.pdf page AC-118. You have to remove the entire dash to get to it.
I wouldn't have ANYONE touch the system until they can prove where the leak is, otherwise you will be shelling out big $$$$ them saying the o-rings are notorious for leaking, is utter bull$hit. It's a cop-out for not knowing.
Lived and learned...
:roadkill:
The expansion valve is inside the dash connected to the to the evap. Check the downloadable shop manual on this site. It is in 0430032.pdf page AC-118. You have to remove the entire dash to get to it.
I wouldn't have ANYONE touch the system until they can prove where the leak is, otherwise you will be shelling out big $$$$ them saying the o-rings are notorious for leaking, is utter bull$hit. It's a cop-out for not knowing.
Lived and learned...
:roadkill:
Also, are you doing an evac and fill? I do not see why that would be necessary unless there was moisture in the system causing it to ice up the expansion valve. If it is just leaking out over 2 months, then top it off. Go buy yourself a manifold set from harbor freight with a 20% off coupon. Learn how to use it and save yourself the hassle of shops.
missionman
Member
Im having the same issue. My AC was cold when accelerating and warm when coasting or slowing down. Took it to Toyota dealer and they said it was the valve failed shut. one way they know is when they go to refill the refrigerant, it wont take all of the refrigerant indicating there is a blockage in the system. 9 times out of 10 its the AC expansion valve located behind the glove compartment in the upper left of the cavity when you remove the glove box. You need to take apart some stuff to loosen and create space to access the valve. thats literally all the work.
You need some torx bits to remove it. First you empty out your high and low refrigerant. you cannot have and refrigerant in the system or you risk cold burns or worse inhaling the gas and dying instantly.
you buy a DENSO part # 4752060 on rockauto. thats the OEM part and brand. It will come with 4 green O-rings. 2 regular size, one medium and one small. these o-rings replace the black OEM old ones sitting on the 4 refrigerant lines youll see once you remove the AC expansion valve.
watch this video. its not hard. this young man gives a good tutorial.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HUR6zxiabY
Once you get to the valve in the dash behind the glove compartment you remove 2 T25 torx bolts that hold the AC expansion valve in place. there are clip pieces of plastic you need to carefully pry too. Be careful and patient. use magnetic tools so you dont drop bolts.
You need some torx bits to remove it. First you empty out your high and low refrigerant. you cannot have and refrigerant in the system or you risk cold burns or worse inhaling the gas and dying instantly.
you buy a DENSO part # 4752060 on rockauto. thats the OEM part and brand. It will come with 4 green O-rings. 2 regular size, one medium and one small. these o-rings replace the black OEM old ones sitting on the 4 refrigerant lines youll see once you remove the AC expansion valve.
watch this video. its not hard. this young man gives a good tutorial.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HUR6zxiabY
Once you get to the valve in the dash behind the glove compartment you remove 2 T25 torx bolts that hold the AC expansion valve in place. there are clip pieces of plastic you need to carefully pry too. Be careful and patient. use magnetic tools so you dont drop bolts.
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Hungryhawk
Member
Refrigerant gases(freon) are not Class A poisons.
So instant death seems extreme. Even class A poisons take a day or 3.
Not good to breath these gases but a well ventilated work area should be safe enough.
They can be cold so face and skin protection smart.
The suggested hose & guage kit is a good way to service yourself. Rarely are vacuum pumps required, as mentioned good to remove atmospheric moisture if system is opened to air.
So instant death seems extreme. Even class A poisons take a day or 3.
Not good to breath these gases but a well ventilated work area should be safe enough.
They can be cold so face and skin protection smart.
The suggested hose & guage kit is a good way to service yourself. Rarely are vacuum pumps required, as mentioned good to remove atmospheric moisture if system is opened to air.
