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 Sevy's Auto Repair, 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.
Partners
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!
Having owned a business in a competitive market for over 30 years, you succeed or fail by your workmanship and your customer service. Sevy's gets an A+ from me! The engine in my 2004 Ford Explorer needed costly repairs, after considering a used engine, John recommended I consider a rebuilt engine from Jasper. With a 3 year or 100,000 mile warranty it was an easy decision. Sevy's mechanics are great! Had my Explorer back in a week. Had a minor problem, Sevy's took care of it immediately. Having worked on my own cars and motorcycles, I was impressed by the quality workmanship. Christy, John, and Tom are the best up front, and the service is great in the shop! I will recommend Sevy's to my friends and family. In fact I already have!
I had heard about Sevy's from a close friend who has told me literally for years that he would not let anybody touch his cars except Sevy's. In fact, several decades ago they even fixed his bike (true!) for free, something he has never forgotten. I have an old Lexus SUV that has been sorely neglected ever since I bought it, which was in 2005. I lost faith in the Lexus dealership when they told me once that to fix a tail light would cost over $2,000. I was shocked and they said, 'We have to drop the entire bumper." They did not know it but I knew a young kid who worked for them doing minor stuff. He laughed and fixed it in 5 minutes for me in the driveway of his house. I gave him $50. I watched him do it. So anyway, my old Lexus was on its last legs, conking out when driving, and I live in North Wilmington. I took it to the usual suspects to fix it, like Pep Boys and elsewhere, and they wanted nothing to do with it. They tried, and finally it was 'take it to the Dealer, that is the only thing you can do.' I figured I had finally blown my engine, among other things. I called my buddy and he said, of course, 'take it to Sevy's, they are honest and cheap and great' (he began bragging about them), so I had it towed from my driveway all the way down to New Castle. That was about 7 months ago, and my car is running tip top to this very moment. They fixed about a dozen things, gave me a long list of what they did etc., also a tremendous price for all they did. Honest, extremely competent. Friendly too, down to earth. My buddy was right of course! And I will of course continue to neglect it but now at least I know I have a great mechanic.