2005LC AC issues

[habakkuk007]

Hi guys,

So I had 3 AC lines, AC Compressor and AC condenser replaced two weeks ago. All was well until this afternoon AC began alternating between warm and cold air. At stops, it is mostly warm. When you turn the AC off and back on, it pumps cold air for a bit, and then as though the system thinks it is cool enough, and then warm air flows. Any ideas what this might be? My mechanic tells me the system doesn't leak, and I believe it is true because for the short time when it does - the system blows cool air. I barely made it back to the office from a 45 minute drive in 95 degree heat by resetting AC! I hope it is something relatively simple as I am already $1600 into these AC woes.

 

[habakkuk007]

So I was poking around for similar issues, and found someone reporting that an "expansion valve on the lines at the evaporator" fixed symptoms close to mine. Is this the part:

Expansion Valve - Toyota (88515-60190)

88515-60190 - Expansion Valve 2003-2014 Toyota | Ourisman Toyota Parts

Save Money On Your Expansion Valve (8851560190) For Your 2003-2014 Toyota When You Shop With Ourisman Toyota Parts!

toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota.com

there is also this:

Expansion Valve - Toyota (88515-60160)

88515-60160 - Expansion Valve 2003-2007 Toyota Land Cruiser | Ourisman Toyota Parts

Save Money On Your Expansion Valve (8851560160) For Your 2003-2007 Toyota Land Cruiser When You Shop With Ourisman Toyota Parts!

toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota.com

Thanks a bunch, guys!

 

[habakkuk007]

Has anyone tried DENSO 4750508 AC Expansion valve? Rockauto has it for $24. One Amazon reviewer describes it as "slightly different than OEM". I wonder if Toyota used a different manufacturer for this part.

 

[Davio6]

You need to measure ac pressures while it is failing. Problem could be refrigerant overcharge, poor airflow maybe fan clutch, bad pressure switch, several other things. Expansion valve possible, but down the list, and diagnosed by pressure performance. I would take it back to the mechanic for further evaluation, if possible.
Good luck,
Dave

 

[habakkuk007]

Thank you for your suggestions, Dave

 

[vcheng]

So I was poking around for similar issues, and found someone reporting that an "expansion valve on the lines at the evaporator" fixed symptoms close to mine. Is this the part:

Expansion Valve - Toyota (88515-60190)

88515-60190 - Expansion Valve 2003-2014 Toyota | Ourisman Toyota Parts

Save Money On Your Expansion Valve (8851560190) For Your 2003-2014 Toyota When You Shop With Ourisman Toyota Parts!

toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota.com

there is also this:

Expansion Valve - Toyota (88515-60160)

88515-60160 - Expansion Valve 2003-2007 Toyota Land Cruiser | Ourisman Toyota Parts

Save Money On Your Expansion Valve (8851560160) For Your 2003-2007 Toyota Land Cruiser When You Shop With Ourisman Toyota Parts!

toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota.com

Thanks a bunch, guys!

It might be as simple as moisture in the refrigerant. How was the system evacuated and refilled? Did it hold vacuum for 30 minutes?

 

[flintknapper]

You need to measure ac pressures while it is failing. Problem could be refrigerant overcharge, poor airflow maybe fan clutch, bad pressure switch, several other things. Expansion valve possible, but down the list, and diagnosed by pressure performance. I would take it back to the mechanic for further evaluation, if possible.
Good luck,
Dave

^^^^

Do this.

Expansion valve is a possibility but replacement requires evacuating the system, removing the Evaporator and recharging the system. I'm surprised being that deep into a repair (lines, compressor, condenser) they didn't remove and inspect the evaporator at the time.

 

[habakkuk007]

^^^^

Do this.

Expansion valve is a possibility but replacement requires evacuating the system, removing the Evaporator and recharging the system. I'm surprised being that deep into a repair (lines, compressor, condenser) they didn't remove and inspect the evaporator at the time.

The mechanic said AC compressor was failing and recommended that it should be replaced together with the condenser. I did a basic research, and it made sense. At least I was able to supply my own Denso-made parts from rockauto (except the AC lines). I brought the truck back to the shop, and we will see what they say. I can pick up a new evaporator, fan clutch and expansion valve from rockauto for $240. At this point I just want this damned thing to work.

Thank you for all the input!

 

[habakkuk007]

It might be as simple as moisture in the refrigerant. How was the system evacuated and refilled? Did it hold vacuum for 30 minutes?

I will definitely ask!

 

[flintknapper]

Hi guys,

So I had 3 AC lines, AC Compressor and AC condenser replaced two weeks ago. All was well until this afternoon AC began alternating between warm and cold air. At stops, it is mostly warm. When you turn the AC off and back on, it pumps cold air for a bit, and then as though the system thinks it is cool enough, and then warm air flows. Any ideas what this might be?

Could be sensor(s), could also be your TXV freezing up (moisture in system). Will cool until it freezes up, then blow warm air until unit is shut off, it thaws out and will blow cool again for awhile. This can also happen to your evaporator for a number of reasons.