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Replace Your Car's AC Thermal Expansion Valve or Orifice Tube

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 Mark's Auto Service, 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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What Our Customers Are Saying

Small shop, great crew. will provide transportation locally, super convenient. Techs are comprehensive and knowledgeable.

Excellent customer service and mechanical work! They saved me THOUSANDS! How you might ask?? Story time! My son jumps in his '14 Ford Fusion (High mileage) and the dashboard is lit up like a Xmas tree. No power steering! I call around to a couple of local shops and they are honest - electric power steering needs a computer reset which they don't have and recommend going to a dealer. So, I went to the Ford dealer near me. Their diagnosis was a whole new steering rack is needed - $3,800!!!! I do some more googling to find Mark's specializes in fords so I call them. They can deal with the computer stuff so I bring it there. They do analysis (sent scan reports!) and discover the wire to the power steering motor was chewed off (rats!)! $500 to fix! Saved me over $3k. Great use of technology for the service. They email estimates with pictures and final bill! All very clear. (Going back to Ford with this info to get my diagnosis fee back!) Service is great (thanks Abbey, Mark and the team!). I really appreciate a well run, local, and competent business!!

I went to Mark's team for a diagnosis and quote for the job that needed to get done to get my vehicle in a safe condition. Mark's team worked diligently to find the problem and described (in great detail) what the issues were. Although I decided not to get the work done, I would highly recommend Mark's Auto Service if you want quality, honest work done on your vehicle- my vehicle drove better when I picked it up than it did when I dropped it off! Prices may be a bit steep but it is likely a reflection of paying the employees fair wages and the quality work they do. TLDR; Expect a detailed diagnosis report and professional treatment by staff!

I really enjoyed my interactions with them. They diagnosed my car the next morning and sent me a detailed report with pictures and recommendations. I approved the repairs online, and they got everything done very fast as promised. Overall everything went smoothly. The staff were courteous and caring. Communication was amazingly efficient. They also took my car to car wash!

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