Expansion Valve Replacement

I’ve replied to older threads but got no answers. So I’m having A/C problems and after all testing it turns out my expansion valve is clogged. Anyone else got info on how long this job takes? What to do and what not to do’s of replacing it? I have a good idea of where it’s located just never changed one. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

 

What does no one work in their own vehicles anymore? I know someone has done this task before.

 

Try this thread..... https://www.tundras.com/threads/ask-the-toyota-mechanic.2404/page-58

 

Thanks I’m checking it out now. Hopefully it’s not the same one I never got an answer back from ‍♂️

 

I am surprised no one had chimed in yet. We have a few Yota mechanics here.

 

That makes two of us. I was expecting to see some kind of a response

 

Youtube might be your best bet... I searched most sites with help with the starter, but no one had seen, nor touched theirs... so I scoured Youtube and found various ways to dig it out, and experimented my own way...

 

We've had a few members here that replaced their starter. Not a fun job at all. Stupid location.

 

I agree, but not as stupid as them BMWs that you have to tear half the engine off to get to it.... my friend showed me his and I was tired just looking at all the gymnastics there, lol never mind my gymnastics to pull it out the front..... there isn't a full write up on it, which I'm a visual learner as well as hands on learner, so in that case youtube helped a million.

 

its a 4 parter here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnrTLdrSj7g

Tacoma one here, may be very similar to the Tundra.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dqoithYqm8

 

Shit I just had to swap the alternator. I don’t think I’ve ever cussed so much in my life. Not to mention my arms look like I got attack by a bobcat due to the tight spots accessing the bolts

 

I've done very little work to AC systems but I do know it's worth while to have the system evacuated before you crack the line. Once you've replaced it you're going to need to have a vacuum pump suck out any moisture and then have it charged. Unless you have the tools to do it I would pick someone who can and have them evacuate the system. Hopefully they will give you a discount since you will be returning. Also they can give you advice.

 

My buddy has a shop and he’s going discharge the system and recharge it when I’m done. That parts not the issue.

 

Shit what a nightmare for a small valve replacement. I knew there was a reason I opted out of the center console

 

Well, this may answer your question to: Do people work on their cars anymore??... lol..

 

I replaced the heater box on my 07 for a broken flapper shaft. To access the expansion valve I would first see if you can get to the bolt holding it onto the evaporator core from the drivers side footwell, follow the lines from the firewall side under the hood in the cab, peel back the foam insulation around the lines. Otherwise you're looking at a full dash removal to pull and split the heater box same as an evaporator replacement. It took me 9 hrs start to finish, average at home mechanic. I do have a spare expansion valve now if you want to make me an offer, I forget what I listed it for on here.

The 2 Allen head bolts are what you're looking for

 

Thanks for the info. I have already purchased the valve just studying up on the process and making note of all the shortcuts that may be possible. I’m truly hoping that I can find a way to tap on it and see if it will dislodge the clog and open up. Then replace the valve during cooler weather

 

Hell I don’t think to many even know how to change a tire nowadays let alone work on their vehicles

 

If you want to try I've heard of people saying they had luck back flushing it. Basically you remove the AC lines at the firewall and then try to put pressure on the output side and hope what ever is in there comes out. I've always thought that the expansion valve acted like a check valve and would not allow reverse flow. If you do remove the dash I would take lots of pictures. I've removed my center console and some of the other pieces of trim to do things like replace the radio. I think it's more labor intensive and easy to miss connecting a wire when reinstalling.

 

Very easy to miss a connection. When I bought my truck the dash clock didn't work, turns out it was from a previous owners mechanic missing that plug when replacing the evaporator. It goes to a set of body control connectors on the BACK side of all the other connectors way up under the dash.

What I found is it seems like most other Tundra forums have people start threads on an issue. Get no useful responses in a day, take it to the dealer, and never come back to add resolution to the thread. This forum is slightly better. Maybe Tundra owners are older/busier/more financially stable than other platforms where people are DIY'ing everything.

 

I haven’t started the project yet. It’s been to damn . Supposed to have a cool front coming in so hopefully it will be around 103 so I can start the project

 

You may also want to pack up some patience, cold ones and some good life questions to ponder besides the why are you doing this in the first place.... I packaged all of these up while laying on the concrete floor wondering if it would be easier to remove my exhaust for 2 bolts a nut and a connector....

 

Well that is a lot easier than a bucket of bolts, screws and different fasteners. Thinking about it what connector is it exactly? By chance not the one I just made a thread about is it?

 

So I finally got around to doing this expansion valve replacement and quit honestly now that I’ve done it once the next time should only take about an hour or so. It is located on the drivers side under the dash. Just follow the lines from the engine bay firewall. I also had to fix a front speaker wire issue that I couldn’t locate thanks to the previous owner so I had to remove the whole dash. Found the pinched wire that was touching the support tubes for the dash. Not sure wtf they were thinking but they had fished the wire behind the a/c vents and up through the dash to wire aftermarket dash speakers instead of using the existing connections in each kick panel area. Gotta finish putting it together this morning but definitely a well learned learning experience . @blackdemon_tt you were right about the patience but I forgot to pack them but did come up with quite a few new curse words About 11:30 last night my wife came out and said “Get your fkn ass in the house before the neighbors call the cops on you” . Here’s some pics of what I was dealing with

 

How long did it take you from start to finish? I need to replace expansion valve. Not looking forward to it!

 

It’s easier than it looks. Originally I was told the dash would have to come out to replace it so beings I already had part of the dash removed I went for it and after removing the whole dash and found where the expansion valve was located I was pissed at myself for putting it off for as long as I did and not researching it better. You don’t need to remove the dash at all. If you look down by the gas pedal and look up you’ll see two lines coming through the firewall and that’s where your expansion valve is located. Once your ac system has been evacuated of all fluid and pressure you can then look under the hood from the drivers side and you’ll see where them lines go through the firewall. Holding the lines in is a W shaped keeper held in place by one or two bolts. Remove the bolt/bolts and Then gently pull the two lines away from the firewall. Now go to the expansion valve location and remove the insulation material and you’ll see some Allen head machine type bolts. Remove them and pull the lines away from the expansion valve. Install new expansion valve and o-rings then reverse the process and put it all back together. Once I did it the next time will take probably 30min if that.

 

Here’s a pic of its location

 

Thanks for sharing! That definitely makes it sound easier to tackle.

 

Sorry to dig up an old thread. Psycho, would you be open to chatting with me on this job?

Thanks, Brady

 

Apologies for the late reply been swamped at work. What you got