Replacing the Evaporator Expansion Valve Honda Civic  

Hi Dan, you're probably tired of hearing from me, but I have great news. Last night after I finished charging the system I could only get 60 degrees from vents, so that's when I replied to you. Now, the next day, I started the car and the A/C, and to my surprise 40 degree cold air was flowing from my vents, so my wife and I took a drive and it remained 40 degrees and it's about 90 degrees outside here in Florida. So it was the expansion valve all along. Crazy, but thank God it's working fine now. I ordered a compressor this morning before I started the vehicle, and I just cancelled the order, not needed. Dan, I can't thank you enough, I would never have been able to do this job without you and your videos. God Bless you and your family.

The quality of your videos is awesome! so many different view points help a lot! Keep it up! You have helped me so much with my civic, just yesterday i was able to fix the AC by my self!

You're the man, you were so detailed and helpful. I'm doing it in my CRV which is pretty much identical. You helped me out so much Thank You!!!

Great Video!!! I just used the instruction to replace the expansion valve in a 2012 Accord. Now have ice cold AC again!!! Feel like i should you to the christmas list!!!

Great video best one on this topic out there. Helped me get the job done on my wife's 2012 insight. Thank You.

Watched this video this AM. Replaced my TEV using the steps that I saw here and my O-rings. I now have cold air again!

@ 21:30 Evaporator was extracted. I think if the words "Evaporator Replacement" would be included in the title of the film, it would get way more viewers, since there are very few films on the subject. The project is generally considered to be complex and many interested in it would love to see this film. I personally pull it since wanted to see, out of curiosity where the Expansion Valve is located on Honda, but then to my surprise I saw and Evaporator to be extracted. Very glad I did it, I also plan to update everything in one of our cars (2001 Saturn SL2). @ 26:58 In the Shop Manual for one of our cars it says to put R-12 (mineral) Oil on the o-rings, when you install a Condenser (on corresponding hoses, which go into the Condenser). And they add: don't put PAG Oil (which is in the AC system there, runs on R-134a refrigerant), bcs of possible corrosion issues in the future. Though when I did research about the install many advised w/PAG Oil on those o-rings. I'm not sure if any oil should go on the o-rings in Expansion Valve. Thank you very much for such informative film.

This video helped out a lot. Didn’t even have to take the evaporator out to get the expansion valve in luckily. Great video!

Ur awesome sir. Ty for the help! My sister loves you helped me!!

Always lube the o ring before installing. This eases installation and prevents damage to the o ring when setting the o ring/part

Dang, the patience required to do those hidden bolts/nuts/screws--drives me nuts on this car...I spent an hour the other day pushing on a crowbar with one hand, holding a bolt in another hand, and a socket wrench (in another hand? angels helping?) just getting the one deep bolt back in under the passenger headlight assembly for a simple bulb change (after of course climbing under car and taking off bumper...and before climbing back under car to put bumper back on...crazy!)...what you did getting down in back of engine and not dropping bolts and then flat against floor into deep hidden hole for bolts, only to have to go even more ninja to grab that last hidden screw...if I'm patient I think I can take it apart, but back together again? don't know if I have it in me -- certainly I'm going to need new tools to even try (isn't that really why we DIY? to tell wife it's cheaper to buy all the tools than to pay mechanic?)...is there such a thing as magnetic flexy sockets?

i just found your U-TUBE channel , i have a 2009 honda civic coupe with navigation, sunroof , i subscribed and liked all your videos , Thanks for the all of your help and great advise , much respect from central Massachusetts

Hello, good video, I've been in the United States for a year, I bought a honda civic lx and the first thing I dared to do without knowing was to change the transmission oil filter and it was thanks to you. I would like to know how to recharge the ac it's not there cooling a lot, thank you very much god bless you

Thanks for the quality video. Finally got this done and car is cooling correctly for the first time in several years.

It’s Possible to Change the expansion valve from the engine compartment. You have to slightly bend the hole to allow it to slide out. Then bend it back afterwards. Better then cutting the dash in my opinion

Good evening Danny, hope you are well. Thank you for your exceptional information on car repairs. I was going to make an attempt at this job, found where you purchased the valve, but I was hoping you would be able to provide a link for the o-rings and for the compressor oil to lubricate the o-rings. Thank you for your time in this matter.

Great video 👍🏻

Thanks a lot for all your information! Great videos. My issue is, the clutch spins intermittently as it should, when engaged blows ice cold, however, when it stops spinning it only blows warm air. I’ve Replaced the relay, checked fuse, check freon and all where good. Where would i go next?

A very good video, thanks! Would you consider doing videos on headliner fabric replacing, catalytic converter and exhaust system replacing, clock reset on a 2006-2011 EXL since it won't update via satellite, Charcoal Canister Evap Vent Purge Solenoid P0497 Repair. A few problems that need to be fixed. Thanks!

How do you drain the Freon before attempting this rip and replace?

Hi Danny. Im a huge fan of yours and your videos are amazing! Im not familiar with autozone but you can rent tools and when you return it they give you back the money is that right?

hello! very educational clip thank you! what was the reason you had to replace this valve? what were the symptoms?

Hi danny what a great video exactly what i was looking for ! Can i do the same with the heater core?

On the Si is the same process?

Thanks for sharing. Is this the only way to replace the valve. I saw a video for a accord and they did it by disconnecting the lines in the hood then pulling it out.

I can't believe that they made the hole on a firewall just big enough so that you could see it and almost get it out but it's small enough so that you have to take the whole dashboard apart

Hi @dannysdiygarage awesome video, very detailed, Question? when replacing the Evaporator how much Oil should I put back in?

Does configuration of the AC system apply to 10th generation civics as well? The evap expansion valve in my fiances 10th gen civic as well as the condenser need replaced. The stealership quoted us $4,100 to replace the parts along with a front cv axle. This all seems too easy to be that costly.

Nice work! Clean job. Seems pretty extensive but very doable. Was this the actual issue? My 2011 civic Is currently having ac blowing cold then blowing warm, but thinking its ac compressor issue/ clutch.

Truly great video. How much PAG oil needs to be added when changing the evaporator?

Such an amazing video. Loved watching it. I have a hissing noise coming from my passenger side AC vents and it’s intermittent and only when I hit the gas pedals and car is in motion. Could this be an expansion valve issue or just low on gas. It’s a brand new car and dealer says this is normal but it’s annoying.

ALWAYS A GOOD HACK THERE WAS ANOTHER WAY TO DO IT WHICH WAS TO REMOVE THE COMPLETE DASH ASSEMBLY BUT WHY WHEN U HEVE THAT VERY FAST AND HELPFUL TIP LBVS BUT GOOD WORK NICE VIDEO 😎

Thanks 👍👍👍

Great video! Can you tell me how much oil you added ?

Thank you!

Sir, Great video can you tell me what your symptom was to make you replace the valve, thks

Oh boy that looks like a back breaking job. I remember replacing a blend door actuator and that was tiring. I believe the evaporator is bad. How do you know it just the expansion valve and not the entire evaporator? Test for leaks? Thanks for your help I’ve watched all 3 AC videos.

Very good.

Got a question, I have ice cold AC while sitting or driving around town under 55 give or take, when I hop on the highway and start pushing 70+ my ac just stops blowing fans on high it starts just barely pushing out air. Even when I slow down it doesn’t immediately kick back on. But after I let it sit (gas station run) and crank it back on it usually comes back on.

Nice work .. i have a question: why did u changed the valve ?? did the A/C not cooling enough ? Thanks & Amazing video

thanks the knowlarge

Note to self, stay away from a Honda Civic ugh. But seriously you made a great well detailed video.

Is an exelent work

Do you know if that sensor on the evaporator will cause the ac to go from blowing cold to normal air? And if so can it be jumped out? My ac will blow cold air and then stop blowing cold. If I turn the air off for a few minutes and turn it on again it will blow cold again for a few minutes and then blow normal air again.

Thanks i will start tomoro on mi civic SI

Hello Dan, I have a 2014 Honda Civic that I’ve replaced the compressor kit on twice. After replacing and putting Freon it cooled for a few days then went back to blowing hot air. Some days it blows fresh air then hot air…would you believe this can be due to the expansion valve?

thank you

Thanks for the help! Awesome video! I wonder How you don’t swear every time your drill bit comes off! Impressive sir!

U did keep the same evaporator core right? Mine is the original from 2007 never changed it are the expansion valve but nowI Wana change them should I just change the expansion valve are both? Maybe just give my core a good cleaning?

awesome video. Any interest in making a video of replacing an expansion valve in my 01 accord?

Nice video, can you please tell me how much oil should i add after changing the evaporator? Knowing that it was leaking all of the refrigerant. And I noticed some oil came out. And I don't know how much!

Question, I just need to replace the expansion valve, can it be done from the firewall? I don’t want to tear the glove box down.

As others have mentioned, its possible to pull out the expansion valve from the firewall side and avoid this whole disassembly. It requires some 90deg needle nose pliers and picks. You may have to very gently shave part of the opening with a dremel. Keep everything clea. Still, FAR easier than this method.

Should you replace the core as well ?

Damn, that music just tops off the help this video provides😅! The previous video needs the same track.

Hi Danny I replaced my expansion valve hon a 2017 Honda accord sports ac worked fine for a week now no cool air pressures are good on the low side but high pressure side compressor comes on it stay same pressure but low pressure does get lower any sugestión?

I replaced the expansion valve and my low side is really high. What could it be ?

I have a 2006 Honda Civic the problem is that it only heats one part of the car, I mean the part on the driver's side and on the passenger side it only blows cold air, could this be a problem with the expansion tube?

Maybe there were others who made this same comment and their comments were deleted somehow. I was surprised that you didn't mention evacuating the system of freon as the first step (either with your own system or taking it to a shop to reclaim). Then, I discovered later in the video that you obviously hadn't done that step and just let the system depressurize into the air. While modern R134a freon is not as destructive to the atmosphere as R12 was, there are still laws on the books that make this practice illegal. This video is encouraging people to unknowingly break the environmental law in the US. Maybe put some disclaimer to tell folks to start out evacuating the system of freon first?

Grasias

I have a question, something no one has included in the evap. install. I should pour 2 oz of pag oil directly into the evaporator before installation, for a new evaporator I mean.

Hmm. I see at 4:00 that after you pull off the AC lines that are connected the expansion value, you go through a lot of effort to remove the blower motor assembly and evaporator core on the inside of the car (and even cutting the dash molding. But in another video (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-nCGfezAWoW8.html) I saw that the guy just unscrewed he expansion valve and removed it from the same area where the lines were removed, which is probably how Honda was expecting people to do it. Just unscrewing and wiggling out the expansion value, replacing o-rings, and pushing back in the new one with screws. Just thought I'd pass this along as another option for other people watching this.

What's the screw on the bottom of the expansion valve for?

Hi Danny, I have a 2008 honda civic. Just had system recovered and recharged because the inside air was not cold. Still not good. A/C low pressure reads 40 psi and kicks on compressor, pressure then goes to 30-35 psi and kicks off. High pressure side is 190 psi. Cabin airflow is 60 degees. Before I tackle this job I would love your imput. Is my expansion valve in need of replacement. You didn't explain how you knew is was bad (unless I missed it somewhere, lol). Anxiously awaiting you answer. Thank you. Best videos on the subject, very efficient.

Did that plastic piece make a difference in the expansion valve

do you know what size o-rings those are?

My 2013 honda civic stopped blowing cold air. I recharge and then it is low again in a few days. I cannot find the leak with the UV dye. So i am wondering if the problem is at the evaporator?

Hey Dan I need some help with my Honda civic ac

What is the function of the expansion valve?

How did you know this was the issue with the AC?

how do you add the oil in a brand new evaporator?

There has to be an easier way than removing the whole assembly. :0

When you buy the valve??

For the love of Petey.. please add year of car to video title

I think that the valve can be removed from the front to avoid the mess that has to be done inside.

You removed ac hoses but forgot to mention that you had already extracted the R134a. If someone with half-assed knowledge tried to use your method, they will spray themselves with extremely dangerous CFC probably disabling themselves permanently. I can't believe no one pointed this out.

My very first step is to remove the lines at the evaporator .... What about recovering the refrigerant ? I'd hope nobody followed this verbatim and dumped a fully charged system spraying themselves with refrigerant oil and supposedly damaging the environment.

Unless that hole was just way too small it looked like you could have removed it from under the hood

Rule of thumb, if you are replacing the expansion valve, you must as well replace the evaporator since you removing to get into the expansion valve.

1 you did not flush evaporator 2 did not use refrigerant oil to lubricate O rings before putting expansion valve.

Why are you doing this?

You didn't say anything about removing the refrigerant

This job can all be done from under the hood. No cutting your car up with a hacksaw blade.

$500 job