This is a picture of the OEM Exp valve I bought. Valve

Looks like it comes with 4 O-rings. That's all I need for the valve itself, but I'll need two O-Rings for the connections to the new accumulator? I assume O-Rings don't come with the new accumulator and have to be bought separate?

 

Yes, you'll need two o-rings for the connections to the accumulator. Most auto stores will have an o-ring kit near the A/C refrigerant.

John

 

Ok...last question(s) hopefully about this. So in the end I'm replacing the expansion valve and accumulator. I'm taking the car to have the system evacuated, and I've got a vacuum pump borrowed to pull the moisture/etc. out of the system.

One thing I don't get is the PAG 150 oil. From what I've read evac and pulling a vacuum don't really take much out of the system, so how much of the total system 8 ounce capacity do I need to add back after replacing those parts? Also, should I lubricate the new O-rings with the PAG oil or something else?

 

You need to add oil to the new accumulator. When you remove the old one empty the contents into a container and measure it. If it's more than two ounces add the same amount of new oil to the new accumulator. If it's less than two ounces add two ounces to the new one. The problem with having a leak in your system is that not only is refrigerant leaking but oil is also leaking so you have no idea how much of that 8 ounces is still left. And yes you should oil the o-rings.

John

 

I've got all the parts replaced and I'm pulling a vacuum on the system right now . I haven't been able to get anything out of the old accumulator. Any trick to seeing what is left in there?

 

If nothing came out of the old accumulator then you probably lost a good portion of your oil due to the leak in your system. Hopefully you added at least two ounces to the new accumulator. A lack of oil will seize your compressor pretty quickly.

John

 

So should I take the accumulator off again and manually add that before doing anything else? Or can I add that in first (before refrigerant) through the gauges?

 

You should add the oil before you put everything back together and pull vacuum. If it was bone dry I would add at least three ounces. Better to have slightly too much oil than not enough.

John