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 EuropAsian Auto Pro's, 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.
I wanna start off by thanking Claudia & Nathan for their quick response with any information they had on my vehicle followed by their knowledge of product and their honesty. They aren't here to bandaid a problem, they truly have your best interest at hand, with true quality part.
Mari Pulley, 12/29/2025
Claudia issa extremely nice and helpful. Thanks so much
kenny b, 11/14/2025
They were extremely honest and fixed my car super quickly! A dealership had quoted me $4800 for a bunch of unnecessary work but Nathan and Claudia were able to diagnose and fix the actual issue with my car and confirmed I didn't need all that extra work. They saved me a ton of money and headache! I will definitely be coming back.
Britney Stewart, 11/11/2025
Amazing! Super nice and helpful! Doesn't try to force you into anything you don't want done. Straight forward and tells you everything you need to know!