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 Mike's Tire & Auto Center, 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.
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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!
Left turn signal started fast flashing. I was sure the bulb was out. Spent quite a bit of time going to parts store, getting 2 new bulbs and installed. Still fast flashing!! Called Ty at Mike's Tire & Auto. He slotted me in and within a few hours, he called and advised the circuit board was old and corroded. He scoured the area for replacement board. He found a new one and shortly later, car was fixed! Great service, honest folks, competent. Thanks, Ty!!!
Electrical IssueElectrical Services, near Bend, OR
Our 2002 Nissan Frontier suffered a cracked radiator just as we arrived in Sunriver on a Wednesday evening. Got towed to Mike's in the morning but they were only going to be open until noon so that Ty could take his entire staff fishing. Just as I was about to go to plan B, Todd found the part in Bend, had it express shipped to the shop, contacted another customer and found they didn't mind waiting a few more days for a tune up and wedged us into their schedule. We were on the road two hours later. Hats off to the entire organization. Outstanding service!