Chevrolet Spark Expansion Valve (Orifice Tube) Replacement at your home or office.

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Expansion Valve (Orifice Tube) Replacement Service

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

On average, the cost for a Chevrolet Spark Expansion Valve (Orifice Tube) Replacement is $312 with $112 for parts and $199 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
2013 Chevrolet SparkL4-1.2LService typeExpansion Valve (Orifice Tube) ReplacementEstimate$465.98Shop/Dealer Price$543.11 - $727.23
2014 Chevrolet SparkL4-1.2LService typeExpansion Valve (Orifice Tube) ReplacementEstimate$423.98Shop/Dealer Price$501.14 - $685.30
2015 Chevrolet SparkL4-1.2LService typeExpansion Valve (Orifice Tube) ReplacementEstimate$423.98Shop/Dealer Price$501.14 - $685.29
Show example Chevrolet Spark 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.

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Richard

35 years of experience
104 reviews
Richard
35 years of experience
Chevrolet Spark L4-1.2L - Oil Change - Land O' Lakes, Florida
Super friendly! He explained everything and helped me take the right next steps!

Chris

16 years of experience
337 reviews
Chris
16 years of experience
Chevrolet Spark L4-1.2L - Air is not coming out of vents Inspection - San Diego, California
Very professional and showed up early.

Mario

9 years of experience
55 reviews
Mario
9 years of experience
Chevrolet Spark L4-1.2L - Water Pump - Los Angeles, California
Mario was great. He showed up early, was professional and efficient. I appreciate the piece of mind knowing he worked on my car and got it back in tip top shape.

William

34 years of experience
567 reviews
William
34 years of experience
Chevrolet Spark L4-1.4L - Oil Change - Phoenix, Arizona
Very thorough & knowledgeable abt car...appreciate the service.

Excellent Rating

(93)

Rating Summary
90
2
0
0
1
90
2
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1
Number of Chevrolet Spark services completed
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