I replaced my drier last year and a/c worked well all summer but not used much. Now it appears the expansion valve is not working. Lines not getting cold or hot coming out of firewall and pressures way too low causing compressor to cut off. I heard you can remove expansion valve from engine bay, by removing lines out of way and removing plastic cover. Is this true or do I have to remove blower box and evaporator?

 

first picture see pressures with car idling. Second is brief rev up. Any opions?

 

Ok. I had already purchased the expansion valve so thought it wouldn't hurt to try and replace it. So yes, the valve can be removed from the engine bay without that much difficulty. My bolt going into the valve was rusted and seized in the valve and broke off but doesn't matter since the valve is being replaced any way. The allen head bolts had some rust but were ok. The expansion valve definitely had some corrosion and trash in it. I installed the new valve, evacuated the system for an hour and recharged the system. Air is cool at idle and cold when rpms come up but pressures back to normal. I think a new compressor is in my future but compressor makes no noise and working ok for now. Especially since I don't use it much. Will keep an eye on it and see how it holds up but if pressures on high side go up, I'm going to get a new compressor.

 

Cool. Do you have pictures replacing the expansion valve? I didn’t know you could replace it from engine bay! I think my valve sometimes make a whistle noise.

 

Sorry i did not. I took the battery out for room. Took the bolt out for the heat shield so I could get to the bolt holding the low pressure clamp to the fender well. Then took the high pressure line out of the plastic clips. Remove the plastic cover from the firewall. The center bolt between the two lines allows both lines to be removed (pulled back). then you will see two allen head bolts, Remove these and the expansion valve will pull out. You can use the center bolt for the lines as a puller. Replace the O-rings (4) and reinstall in reverse.

 

Thank you @Porsche935 ! Your instructions were spot on.

I took a few pics while i was doing it today. The hardest part was the o-rings on the end of the lines. I forgot to take a pic of the expansion valve itself behind the lines, but this should make it clear enough for others.

 

Did you purchase a OEM Honda expansion valve or aftermarket? Also, I see the dryers are not made any longer so who did you use to get one?

 

I just ordered one through autozone.

 

My AC stopped working at 39K. Replaced the compressor and dryer. Also had to replace the Torque Sensor in the steering rack to make the car fully function. Cannot believe it's 18 years old.

 

I found this thread super helpful too! Thank you to @Porsche935 and @impulse21 for the instructions and the photos. I just did this today and I'm relieved I didn't have to take the blower box out.

I'll add some photos to fill in the gaps but I don't think they're absolutely necessary given how easy it was with the above information.


Once you get the 2-piece 3 clip from hell off, There's a 10mm bolt you need to take off before you can remove the lines. I recommend unclipping the High lines from the body and using a 10mm, undo the fitting next to where the heatshield is bolted on (most forward). Also use a flat head to undo the plastic clip on the cross member. This will give you enough room to pull and not bend anything.

If your expansion valve has been stuck like mine you'll find that it's a bit corroded. I'd recommend replacing but seeing as I have an appointment to recharge coming up I used the same bolts just cleaned them up.

If you can't pull out the exp.Valve by hand use the long bolt used to hold the High and Low lines to the Expansion valve. It'll give you the torque needed to pry them off the fittings in the back and maneuver the valve out.

Said stuck valve