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Is a new compressor and expansion valve really needed?


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Odysseus42
New User

Aug 12, 2013, 11:46 AM

Post #1 of 4 (1944 views)
Is a new compressor and expansion valve really needed? Sign In

Year: 2007
Make: Saturn
Model: Vue
Engine Size: 6 cyl
126.000 mis

This car has a factory Acura engine & drive train.

Recently the AC became ineffective unless on recirculate,in which case it blows plenty cold except at stoplights when idling. It does blow cold while driving without the recirc. being on, but it cannot cope on a really hot Texas day as it has always previously been able to do unless I switch it to recirc.

The Chevrolet dealer said it needs a new compressor and expansion valve for total of $2065.

Firstly the car isn't worth much more than that, if any, but as a layman, I am having trouble understanding why a new compressor/expansion valve is needed if it blows very cold on recirculate. Can this be the case with a compressor that supposedly needs replacement? Could something else be wrong? Thanks.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Aug 12, 2013, 12:10 PM

Post #2 of 4 (1931 views)
Re: Is a new compressor and expansion valve really needed? Sign In

Yes, it certainly can. It will always be cooler on recirc because you are recooling the same inside air, not the 90deg air outside. When you are moving, the compressor is turning faster and pumping more and there is more air flow across the condenser to help in cooling the hot refrigerant. The price does sound a bit out of line though. You should be able to get that done under $1000. Just make sure the place specializes in AC. Many shops think they can do AC when they really know nothing about it.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Odysseus42
New User

Aug 12, 2013, 4:15 PM

Post #3 of 4 (1914 views)
Re: Is a new compressor and expansion valve really needed? Sign In

Thanks for yours. I understand that the recirc. will always be colder, but this was a case of colder vs warm (i.e., not cooling unless on recirculate during hot afternoons) and very much a different situation than the previous six years that I have owned the car.

I just got the car back from an A/C shop who could not duplicate the problem. And it seemed it's old normal self when I drove it home. I think that the Chev dealer inadvertently fixed whatever was wrong with it.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Aug 12, 2013, 4:19 PM

Post #4 of 4 (1912 views)
Re: Is a new compressor and expansion valve really needed? Sign In

They may have topped off the refrigerant. We don't know if they found a leak problem or not. The only thing the recirc setting does is move an air flap behind the glove box to redirect access to intake air. It has no bearing at all on temperature other than grabbing already cooled air.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.







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