Well the cable was probably disconnected when the valve happened to be half open. Is a the cable mechanism broken?

 

yea, firestone told me the expansion valve was bad. probably just trying to get money from me because they know it's a PITA and behind the dash. i'm a DIYer though and they aren't getting a cent from me except for the A/C inspection. the line under the hood gets cool but not cold.

 

no, it's not broken. i must have knocked it off its little tab thing whenever I was changing the bulbs in my A/C controls.

 

So your A/C cooling problem definitely is not due to the heater valve being stuck open? If not, too bad because that would be a really easy fix! By the way, I have never trusted Firestone for car servicing because they always seemed a bit shady to me, but that might only be the store in my local area.

 

i guess since they're not related then the expansion valve being halfway open was not caused by this cable being off its tab

 

What is the estimate for the A/C work? Why not purchase some manifold gauges and tackle the problem yourself? You sound pretty handy. It might be that you just have a slow refrigerant leak and that the system needs a recharge.

 

They said they didn't find any leaks. Also, I had them charge it to the correct amount when I got it checked. I'm going to replace the compressor, along with the drive belts, when I do my timing belt and tensioner.

Gotta replace the accumulator/drier too because i'm exposing it to the atmosphere when I replace the compressor. At least that's what Firestone said. Can you verify that info?


oh yea, and get this: they want 1100 something for them to do it. RIPOFF.

 

If there were no leaks, then why was a refrigerant recharge necessary? Is the A/C cooler after the recharge?

 

Yeah, I think they are correct that accumulator/drier should be replaced.

Crazy prices! Always saves to do it yourself when you can.

 

1. I bought the car and the A/C wasn't working so good so I bought a recharge/conversion to r134a kit. I drained the system into the air (yea it's illegal, don't tell on me. lol) I filled it until the supplied gauge (not the manifold gauge) said it was a good level.
2. Then online I read it wasn't a good idea because you can't get all the R12 out without a vacuum, and that the supplied gauge was not accurate because it only reads the Low pressure side.