Valve, A/C Expansion: Operation
The A/C expansion valve controls the high pressure, low temperature liquid refrigerant from the A/C liquid line and converts it into a low pressure, low temperature mixture of liquid and gas before it enters the A/C evaporator. A mechanical sensor in the A/C expansion valve monitors the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant leaving the A/C evaporator through the A/C suction line, and adjusts the orifice size at the liquid line port to let the proper amount of refrigerant into the evaporator to meet the vehicle A/C cooling requirements. Controlling the refrigerant flow through the A/C evaporator ensures that none of the refrigerant leaving the A/C evaporator is still in a liquid state, which could damage the A/C compressor.
Replacement of the refrigerant line O-ring seals is required anytime a refrigerant line is disconnected from the expansion valve. Failure to replace the rubber O-ring seals could result in a refrigerant system leak.
The A/C expansion valve is factory calibrated and cannot be adjusted or repaired and must be replaced if inoperative or damaged.