360 - A/C Expansion valve question | FerrariChat

360 A/C Expansion valve question

Discussion in '360/430' started by gidleigh, Dec 14, 2019.

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  1. gidleigh

    gidleigh Karting

    Nov 27, 2010
    141
    Coronado, Ca
  2. RANDY6005

    RANDY6005 Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 9, 2017
    2,267
    Jacksonville
    Full Name:
    RANDY
  3. gidleigh

    gidleigh Karting

    Nov 27, 2010
    141
    Coronado, Ca
    If it is the same valve the Audi is only $36 vs $96.
     
  4. EastMemphis

    EastMemphis Formula 3
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    May 25, 2019
    1,719
    Memphis, TN
    Full Name:
    John
    I'm curious why you would be replacing the expansion valve? It has no moving parts and doesn't wear. It should last longer than the rest of the car.
     
  5. gidleigh

    gidleigh Karting

    Nov 27, 2010
    141
    Coronado, Ca
    They can get plugged up with debris and become non functional. Outside of leaks and a/c compressor issues they are a very common point of failure. Essentially my question is: if the valve has the exact same profile and threads as the 360/430 are they calibrated different? Since the refrigerant in cars is basically the same theoretically the specs should be the same.

    I like all DIYers am always looking to avoid the Ferrari premium.
     
  6. ItalGerBrit

    ItalGerBrit Formula Junior

    Mar 15, 2016
    804
    S La
    I had to change an expansion valve because of a seized hard line that was leaking due to rust on a Hummer. Found an exact match for $10 and the AMG price was $100. Worked perfectly.
     
  7. mike32

    mike32 F1 Veteran

    May 13, 2016
    5,828
    Isle of man- uk
    If they are the same as industrial units, then the same body can have a different flow rate. They are sized to the installation and the valve then adjusts around this setting. Hence the capillary tube and bulb which controls it opening.
    You need to know the flow rate to tell if it will work, too big and you will get liquid back to the compressor and bugger it up. Too small and you will not get enough cooling effect, might overheat compressor as well.
    The car has the filter drier just prior to this valve and very rare to get any dirt in them( unless drier that old it has turned to dust)
     
  8. Neilg

    Neilg Karting

    Feb 16, 2001
    241
    Accokeek, Md.
    Full Name:
    Neil Green
    Has anyone documented how the expansion valve for the 360 is removed/replaced? My compressor blew refrigerant and was told valve blockage is culprit - thanks. 2003 360 Modena...
     
  9. mike32

    mike32 F1 Veteran

    May 13, 2016
    5,828
    Isle of man- uk
    Compressor blew refrigerant and ex valve is cause ? Explain as dont get this
     
  10. INRange

    INRange F1 World Champ
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    Jan 27, 2014
    10,013
    Virginia/Florida/Caymans
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    JD

    Perhaps what he is trying to say is his compressor self destructed and put debris into the system. The way to address that is to properly blow out the lines with the compressor removed. We use a special solvent and reverse flow the lines until the blow out is clean. Simply replacing the expansion valve will not solve the problem.
     
    Skidkid likes this.
  11. Neilg

    Neilg Karting

    Feb 16, 2001
    241
    Accokeek, Md.
    Full Name:
    Neil Green
    Thanks - compressor is out at Ranshu in Nevada for rebuild - once returned am taking to dealer for reverse flush, evac and recharge - glad to know reverse flush will remove any debris/blockage in the system particularly the expansion valve...
     
  12. mike32

    mike32 F1 Veteran

    May 13, 2016
    5,828
    Isle of man- uk
    The drier has a screen filter in its inlet to catch any fine solids in the system. This should protect the fine orifice in the expansion valve. If you try blowing with your mouth into the drier in the flow direction , you should feel no resistance if its clear. When they get dirty you will notice a temp difference between the inlet and outlet, reason being the resistance of a dirty drier causes a pressure drop over the drier and the hp liquid then expands over it, causing a drop in temp.
     
    INRange likes this.
  13. Neilg

    Neilg Karting

    Feb 16, 2001
    241
    Accokeek, Md.
    Full Name:
    Neil Green
    Has anyone had their 360 ac thermal expansion valve replaced and if so how did they go about it? See the WSM recommends evaporator unit be removed from car did not know if another method?
     

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