Air Con Expansion Valve

Where is it ?

(I have a feeling it's behind the dash somewhere)

Can you get to it ?

(Or is it like the heater matrix, FULL dash off ?)

I have been told that I could have a broken expansion valve for my Air Con setup or maybe a squashed pipe somewhere.

All other parts of the Air Con unit seem to be fine and I have been tested for leaks too.

Note: Dash was off twice in 2004 when my heater matrix leaked.

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History

I had an FMIC fitted in 2003 and the AC was very poor after this, I put it down to the FMIC blocking airflow. Others on here state that their AC is fine after fitting a FMIC. In 2004 I had a new AC rad fitted due to a slight off but, it was still the same. I had a very nice chap come round to my place this summer who checked for leaks, emptied it, then regassed it and it all looked good so far. However, upon testing while at idle, the revs would raise to over 1000rpm and then drop very low, below the normal idle level. It was like the AC system was building up pressure (rpm's raising) and then when it reached it's limit, it would vent it all out and try again.

I was advised not to use the AC system from that point forward.

However, I did notice that it pushed out cold air into the cabin during testing, something I had not felt since fitting the FMIC.

So, I have been given a glimmer of hope that one day I may have AC back again, which, I would like very much and have missed it these past few years

I would also retract my statements over the years of blaming the FMIC for the poor AC.

to clarify, the suction side of the system pulled down to a vac and the discharge got seriously high!

which indicates a blockage somewhere:)

Where is it ?

(I have a feeling it's behind the dash somewhere)

 

Can you get to it ?

 

(Or is it like the heater matrix, FULL dash off ?)

I think it can be replaced by taking the glove box out. It's not like the Heater Matrix. I had one replaced recently. Cost about £80 from Toyota. Fitted by AC specialist in Bath

looking at some drawings and it shows the valve fitted just after the low pressure service valve connector towards the bulkhead in the engine bay the pipe then follows through into the interior of the car. not sure if this is correct just going with the data i have:)

See attachment mate

J

I'll take a look.

Ta

The expansion valve is attached to the evaporater the whole assembly slides out.

To do this you will need to, De gas the system and undo the HP & LP pipes from the bulk head. Then remove the glove box and remove the white plastic cover underneath the airbox by un doing 5 or 6 screws (you will need a stuby Phillips for this).

Once cover has been removed you will need to remove the thermistor from the evap coil, the evap and expansion valve can now be removed by sliding out as a complete unit.

It is lso a good idea to clean out the drip tray and drain with anti bacterial cleaner.

Well, it's only taken me ~2yrs to get around to doing this and as I had some free time on Sunday....I had to remove the charcoal canister to get to the bulkhead bolts and then it will still a PITA to reach. Following the Toyota Repair manuals I'm not so sure you actually need to remove the ECU's as they describe.

Should I replace the Evaporator Cooler ? I can clean the crap out of it but, are they expensive ?

Should I replace the Thermistor ? (Probe end) they seem to be squashed between the Evap cooler and the plastic surround (#3 pic showing blue cable) with only a slight cut out for it. It looked a little trapped to me!

I'll get a price for the Expansion Valve in the morning.

£264 + VAT for the Evap cooler, I'll clean up the old one first and give that a try.

Is there a way to test them OR have them tested ?

Well, I did replace the A/C Expansion Valve back in 08 but, as the summer of 09 was crappy, I did not get the AC re-gassed.

However, the weather is warming up now and I like to be cold in the car most of the time so, got it re-gassed a week or two back and I now have ICE cold AC again