Expansion Valve Stripped Screw
#1
Expansion Valve Stripped Screw
ok so I am already in the process of changing the A/C system (compressor, expansion valve, and drier) on my 2002 c230. Now I have a huge problem getting the screws out of the expansion valve; thread is stripped and there is no room what so ever to get a drill and just drill it out.
Please any suggestion would help. this is my daily car and I intended to work on it this long weekend.
Thanks,
Santafa
Please any suggestion would help. this is my daily car and I intended to work on it this long weekend.
Thanks,
Santafa
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 11
From: Toronto, Canada
2019 C300 Wagon; '75 Triumph TR6; previous: 2004 C230 6spd sold after 17 years of driving
there is no screw on the expansion valve. there is a treaded short rod that has a nut that attaches it to the car and there are pipes that thread into the housing. In order to have access you have to remove the wiper arms, the plastic valance cover and the wiper mechanism.
in order to charge it you will have evacuate the system and charge it with the correct oil within about 20min of putting the drier in or that will be toast
Note Cheapest place for drier and expansion valve is at RM European they are the OEM Egelhof valve and Behr Hella drier - a fraction of what MB sells it for
in order to charge it you will have evacuate the system and charge it with the correct oil within about 20min of putting the drier in or that will be toast
Note Cheapest place for drier and expansion valve is at RM European they are the OEM Egelhof valve and Behr Hella drier - a fraction of what MB sells it for
Last edited by Boom vang; 09-01-2014 at 10:39 AM.
#3
the 2 screws I am talking about are the right side of the expansion valve. now you are talking about the small threaded shaft in the middle of the expansion....so what you are saying is that small shaft is all what i need to get out ?? also how bad did i mess it up?? I'm still learning about these stuff
Oh yes I did vacum Freon before I started working on the car and yes I did remove wiper systems etc...
Oh yes I did vacum Freon before I started working on the car and yes I did remove wiper systems etc...
Last edited by santafa; 08-31-2014 at 08:01 PM.
#4
I replaced these parts on my 2002 C240 2 years ago. Those 2 bolts do secure the expansion valve and are suppose to be removed with I believe an allen (hex) wrench. I forget the exact size. Looking at the photo the inside of the bolt heads do seem rounded off. Did you use the correct size metric hex wrench?
In your photo, it looks like there are some metal fragments where the pressure lines insert into the valve. I would still try to figure out how to try and remove the 2 bolts. But if you can't, maybe try and thoroughly clean the expansion valve the best you can and re-install the lines with new O-rings (lightly oiled) and make sure they are seated properly before securing with the retaining plate. Please keep in mind when replacing the AC compressor, it is recommended to replace (all items you mentioned. If there is no oil in the new compressor, don't forget to add approx. 6-7 ounces of PAG 46 oil.Good luck.
In your photo, it looks like there are some metal fragments where the pressure lines insert into the valve. I would still try to figure out how to try and remove the 2 bolts. But if you can't, maybe try and thoroughly clean the expansion valve the best you can and re-install the lines with new O-rings (lightly oiled) and make sure they are seated properly before securing with the retaining plate. Please keep in mind when replacing the AC compressor, it is recommended to replace (all items you mentioned. If there is no oil in the new compressor, don't forget to add approx. 6-7 ounces of PAG 46 oil.Good luck.