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 Pro Automotive Inc., 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!

Monday morning and my sons truck was dead in the driveway. He needed to return to NC that day. Jeff came to the house towed the truck in and 30 minutes later my son was on the road. We did not have an appointment, but Jeff helped us out and I will be forever grateful. Super service. Thanks Jeff! quotes-image
I had the timing belt replaced on my 2009 Subaru Outback in late February at Pro Automotive. On 4/5/18, my car broke down on the highway as I was leaving Roanoke. It was towed to the closest Subaru dealer in Roanoke, where they determined that the timing belt had failed and severely damaged the engine. I contacted Pro Automotive the next day. They not only covered the cost of towing my Subaru in for them to inspect, but repaired my car at no charge to me when it was determined that the failure was due to a defective timing belt tensioner bolt. They also paid for my rental car while I was waiting to get my car back. It's back up and running like nothing ever happened. Fantastic service. I highly recommend Pro Automotive, and will definitely take my car back when it needs service again. Thanks, guys! You were great!quotes-image
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