BMW 323i Expansion Valve (Orifice Tube) Replacement at your home or office.

Our mobile mechanics offer services 7 days a week. Upfront and transparent pricing.

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

(74)

Included for free with this service

Online Booking

Mechanic comes to you

12-month / 12k-mile warranty

Free 50 point safety inspection

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to your home or office 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

Customer Ratings

(74)

Expansion Valve (Orifice Tube) Replacement Service

How much does a Expansion Valve (Orifice Tube) Replacement cost?

On average, the cost for a BMW 323i Expansion Valve (Orifice Tube) Replacement is $488 with $156 for parts and $332 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
1999 BMW 323iL6-2.5LService typeExpansion Valve (Orifice Tube) ReplacementEstimate$714.21Shop/Dealer Price$853.40 - $1133.15
2000 BMW 323iL6-2.5LService typeExpansion Valve (Orifice Tube) ReplacementEstimate$644.21Shop/Dealer Price$783.51 - $1063.34
1998 BMW 323iL6-2.5LService typeExpansion Valve (Orifice Tube) ReplacementEstimate$662.81Shop/Dealer Price$806.75 - $1100.52
Show example BMW 323i Expansion Valve (Orifice Tube) Replacement prices

What is the Expansion Valve (Orifice Tube) all about?

The air conditioning system in your vehicle depends on the refrigerant that circulates in the A/C system. In particular, the evaporator core inside the passenger compartment requires a specific, metered amount of refrigerant in order to efficiently cool the interior. The expansion valve, also known as an orifice tube in some designs, regulates the pressure of refrigerant that enters the evaporator. The tube is also where liquid refrigerant under pressure converts to a gaseous form. The gaseous refrigerant absorbs heat from air passing through the evaporator core and carries it to the condenser where the heat is removed.

In a situation where the orifice tube is either blocked or stuck open, the air conditioning will not cool properly. Too much refrigerant will cause frost on the core and prevent air from passing through to cool the air temperature. Too little refrigerant passing through the evaporator means not enough heat is absorbed and the interior is insufficiently cooled. In either situation, you may need to replace the expansion valve/orifice tube.

Keep in mind:

  • Air conditioning work needs to be completed by a trained and licensed professional in nearly all circumstances because refrigerants are regulated substances.
  • It is possible for the expansion valve to become blocked by excessive moisture in the air conditioning system, which would indicate a receiver/drier problem.

How it's done:

  • The AC refrigerant is removed from the system
  • The defective expansion valve is removed
  • The new expansion valve is installed
  • The a/c system is recharged with refrigerant
  • The a/c system is tested for leaks and proper operation

Our recommendation:

Whenever air conditioning repairs or refrigerant recharges are performed, have the expansion valve inspected for proper operation. If the expansion valve is not opening or closing properly, you may need one of our expert technicians to replace the expansion valve or orifice tube.

What common symptoms indicate you may need to replace the Expansion Valve (Orifice Tube)?

  • Air conditioning doesn’t cool sufficiently
  • Air conditioning expansion valve is frosty but the air conditioning isn’t blowing cold air

How important is this service?

Air conditioning is a comfort item in a vehicle, not a safety issue. However, the air conditioning also removes moisture in the air for the defrost setting to clear your windows. If the air conditioning is not working properly, your vision may be impaired in humid or very cold weather.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee


Meet some of our expert BMW mechanics

Real customer reviews from BMW owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(74)

Rating Summary
68
2
1
0
3
68
2
1
0
3

Caster

28 years of experience
176 reviews
Caster
28 years of experience
BMW 323i L6-2.5L - Exhaust Manifold Gasket inspection - Windsor, California
Recommended to my bother in law already an to other as well.

Larry

16 years of experience
119 reviews
Larry
16 years of experience
BMW 323i L6-2.5L - Idler Pulley - Columbus, Ohio
Larry is quick and good, Larry is always on time and he will not b.s you.

Jeffrey

27 years of experience
870 reviews
Jeffrey
27 years of experience
BMW 323i L6-2.5L - Oil Change - Charlotte, North Carolina

Kyle

12 years of experience
137 reviews
Kyle
12 years of experience
BMW 323i L6-2.5L - Air Filter - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Finished in half the time estimated for brakes and sway bar links!

Excellent Rating

(74)

Rating Summary
68
2
1
0
3
68
2
1
0
3
Number of BMW 323i services completed
814+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT BMW MECHANICS
1100+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Radiator Drain Cock
Common signs include leaking coolant, especially around the radiator drain cock, and threads stripping on the drain cock.
P2563 OBD-II Trouble Code: Turbocharger Boost Control Position Sensor Circuit Range/Performance
P2563 code definition Turbocharger Boost Control Position Sensor Circuit Range/Performance What the P2563 code means P2563 is an OBD-II generic code. The...
P2287 OBD-II Trouble Code: Injector Control Press Sensor Circuit Intermittent
P2287 P2287 code definition Injector Control Press Sensor Circuit Intermittent What the P2287 code means P2287 is an OBD-II generic code for the engine control module (ECM) detecting that the injector control pressure (ICP) sensor is intermittently not registering a...

How long can I postpone replacing leaking A/C compressor

There really is not a time limit. Once most of the refrigerant has leaked out of the system, the compressor will not turn on (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-long-does-an-ac-compressor-last). There is nothing you can do to turn the compressor on from inside the car....

Low beams are quite dim, high beams seem OK. Although filaments turn on inversed.

Hi there. Typically, dim lighting is the result of a poor ground (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/electric-problems-inspection) in the given lighting circuit. This poor ground may also account for the fog lights not functioning in the low beam position. Circuit testing with a wiring...

I have a service autotraction system message come on in my Ford Fusion 2012 se 2.5L. I was wondering the cost

The cost to repair the system is highly dependent on exactly what is wrong and that can only be determined after a diagnostic is performed. If a wire has come loose, the cost to repair will be quite low. If...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (855) 347-2779 · hi@yourmechanic.com