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 General Auto Repair and Tire WNC, LLC, 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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The boys at General our so great Jeff, Bryan are just great, giving good advice ect. Byran and Jeff have gone that extra mile when it comes to Customer Care. They are always on top of any problem I throw at them. I have been coming to General Auto for over 23 years now and never once had any problem with the work they have done. James is the man I would like to work on all my cars, Friend, Informative, knowledgeable of the work that needs to be done just over all a good man to know. Thank you all, Sincerely, quotes-image
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, 06/09/2021
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