I was told that my expansion valve needed to be replace on my 1997 960. the symptoms are so far: its blowing odorless smoke sometimes from the vents and it just eventually stops blowing cold. Any instructions on how to locate this part deeply appreciated!!

 

Expansion Valve (or also called Fixed Orifice Tube) is located on the AC line running on the frame rail, basically below the Coolant Reservoir. It is inside where the AC line bulge is.

A couple of suggestions:

1- Use a Variable Orifice Tube (VOT), cost $ 20, instead of a Fixed one (FOT), cost $ 5. VOT is much more helpful in stop-and-go traffic. Both are about a cigarette's size.

2- Replace the Receiver/Drier (Silver Can), which is about another $ 20.

Are you doing this work yourself, or have a shop do it?

 

Dryer is the big thing near the shock absorber???
Im doing this myself.
Will i lose the freon?
Where can i get this parts?

 

Yes.


Yes. Do you have a way to recover the refrigerant, and draw vacuum (vacuum pump and compressor)? Do you have a flush gun? The problem with expansion Valve (Orifice Tube) is that screen (at the tip of the "cigarette") can rip and debris can move around the system. So flushing is recommended.

You need to refill with refrigerant. What state do you live in?


FCP, Rockauto, Autopartswarehouse, Import Replacement Parts, Tasca Volvo, local dealer, etc.

 

I guess ill installed the VOT and then go to a shop and then do the flush and reload the freon! Im located in orlando fl. Also do you by any chance know hoe to troubleshoot this problem im havin: when i acelerate the car the ac stop working from the main vents and go to the feet i notice at all times that is blowing air at the feet and the windshield too how do i start with that??

 

These are different symptoms from the original post ("its blowing odorless smoke sometimes from the vents and it just eventually stops blowing cold").

Random change of direction of airflow (from one vent to another) is usually a result of 2 possibilities:

1- malfunctioning of vacuum check valves at the firewall
2- or malfunction of the Vacuum Control Unit (under the Glove Box).

These repairs/checks are fairly simple, and do not require opening of the system. Neither are they related to the Orifice Tube (Expansion Valve).

There are some threads in this Forum that cover both possibilities.

 

the ones at the firewall haave been inspected and they are okay.. How do I check that vacuum contrl unit i know where is at i just dont know how to play with it.