A/C Problems - Best Way to Access Expansion Valve?
 

Just bought my first Porsche. It's a 1989 944 2.7L and brought it in to my mechanic to have the A/C system checked out since it stopped cooling after it was charged when I bought it a couple of days before. They tested the A/C system and found the system almost empty of Freon. They evacuated and recharged the system with R134A. Added U/V Dye to the system for future leak detection. Retested the system for normal vend temp and system pressures. In the heat of the afternoon, the low side pressure is about 60 PSI at idle. The high side pressure as about 250 PSI. The low side does come down to about 40 PSI when the engine is reved long enough. 40 PSI is still too high for an expansion valve system. The low side schrader valve was leaking freon and dye and was replaced. They did not find any other leaks at the time and recommended replacing the Expansion Valve and Receiver Drier. About a week after they recharged the system I again have no A/C. Scheduled to bring back to them next week to look for leaks with the dye but if I have to replace the Expansion Valve and Receiver Drier is there a better way to get to them without having to remove the dash which they showed to be a total of 7.5 labor hours. Any help is appreciated.

Hello, I have not changed the Expansion Valve, but I remember how another said he did it. He removed the Air Blower Housing just below the w/shield for easy access to the valve. It is sealed with a rubber/tar like seal and he used 3M Windo Weld to reseal it. Said he used a narrow blade putty knife to cut the seal around the Housing. Hope this helps you out.

Cheers,
Larry

+1^

I replaced mine when I went through my AC system. No need to remove the dash on a late car.

A.J.

Would you like to see pictures?

Expansion Valve access - Rennlist Discussion Forums

GL
John

Thanks for the helpful feedback and pictures everyone. If I remove the six 8mm bolts instead of taking only the top off as recommended as a follow-up to John_AZ's post, will I also be able to access the Drier Receiver? Again thanks everyone for the helpful information. I'll post pics after I get done detailing the car.

The dryer is located just behind the driver side headlight. It is a canister shaped object that should have a glass window on the top for viewing the bubbles in the refrigerant. The low pressure switch should be in line with it and located near the dryer.

A.J.