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 Hans Imports INC, 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!
I've trusted Hans Imports on Post Road in North Kingstown with my vehicles for multiple repairs & services and I can't recommend them highly enough. Dave and Omar are proof that old-school, honest, exceptional customer service still exists. Over the years they've taken care of everything from a broken turbo strap on my 2013 VW Eos and my 90,000-mile service to diagnosing and replacing a failed fuel pump. There was even another repair recently that I can't remember....that's how consistently they've been my first call whenever something comes up. Every time, the work has been done right, the communication has been excellent, and I've never felt like I was being sold repairs I didn't need. That's tough to find these days. As a full-time wedding photographer, my vehicle isn't just transportation, it's my livelihood. Summer is my busiest season, and being without a reliable vehicle simply isn't an option. Knowing I can count on Dave and Omar to get me back on the road quickly and correctly gives me tremendous peace of mind. They REALLY pulled me out of a major jam last week and I'm eternally grateful. I don't think any other shop in Rhode Island would have done what they did for me! If you're looking for knowledgeable mechanics who genuinely care about their customers and stand behind their work, Hans Imports is the place to go. Honest, dependable, and incredibly skilled. The kind of service that's becoming harder and harder to find. Bonus: there's always a lot of fun, laughter, and a cute dog that likes to be pet at the shop!
The best part of owning an aging British car was knowing Omar & Dave would help in a pinch. They are truly passionate about cars and helping people and the reports they produce after any service are repair are like university dissertations. Their passion for cars shows through, and they have never failed to be thorough and honest with us - including letting us know when it was time to stop throwing good money after bad and retire our car. We are very grateful to them and couldn't recommend Hans Imports enough.