A/C repair

BRIANSTHOMAS

MEMBER
2002 HONDA CRV
120,000 MILES

I bought this vehicle knowing the AC was bad with the plan to resell the car. It had a AC compressor that was seized with a hole in the side of it. I bought a new AC kit that included the condenser and expansion valve. My question is, must I absolutely replace the expansion valve as it is behind the glove box and very difficult to get to? I am wondering if I can flush it both ways and leave the old expansion valve the system?

5 Replies

DANNY L

MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS

Hello, I'm Danny.

Yes, iIt is suggested to replace the expansion valve considering there is an open (hole in the compressor) that will be allowing moisture into the system. Moisture ruins components in a otherwise sealed system. If you want I would be happy to provide you with step-by-step instructions for its replacement. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Saturday, December 14th, 2019 AT 7:11 PM

BRIANSTHOMAS

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I used some lacquer thinner with a high psi flush device and I felt comfortable that I cleaned the evaporator and the expansion valve. They were fairly clean to start with as initially I blew them out without any solvent. Then I flushed them 4 times both ways. So hopefully I am okay. It would have added several hours or more to the job to get at the expansion valve under the dash.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Saturday, December 14th, 2019 AT 8:33 PM

DANNY L

MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS

Hello again.

Okay, hope things work out. Just be sure to vacuum the system to get rid of any moisture and also to see if it holds a vacuum so there are no leaks in the system from the repair. Keep us updated. Thanks again for using 2CarPros.

Danny-

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Saturday, December 14th, 2019 AT 10:28 PM

BRIANSTHOMAS

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I understand I need to vacuum the system. But I have a question, what keeps the vacuum from sucking out the 4.5 oz of oil I put in the system?

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Sunday, December 15th, 2019 AT 7:51 PM

DANNY L

MECHANIC
5,648 POSTS

Hello again.

The oil is more a solid than a gas. You will lose hardly any. You will know immediately if the system doesn't hold a vacuum. After 10 minutes of holding a vacuum you will know there isn't a leak. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.

Danny-