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 Cornerstone Car Care, 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.


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What our clients are saying about us

We have established longterm and stable partnerships with various clients thanks to our excellence in solving their automotive needs!

My family and I have taken our vehicles to this location for years back when it was Wayne's and the level service is just as good if not better now that it is Cornerstone. I brought my work truck in for what I feared might be some major brake work and Matt and his team took the utmost care of me. They assessed my issue and fixed my problem for a lot less without completely tearing down the whole ABS system like another shop would have been happily willing to do. Truck was in and out and SAFELY back on the road now! Thanks for always being so awesome! quotes-image
, 10/11/2021
Won't take my car anywhere else! Honest, knowledgeable, respectful, and trustworthy. These guys fix it right the first time. Matt and Rich have their act together and it shows. They get my repeat business...and I tell everybody I know who needs work on their automobile...GO HERE and NOWHERE ELSE.quotes-image
, 04/08/2021