Honda Accord AC Evaporator And Expansion Valve Replacement (2003 - 2007)

Yes, this tiny little expansion valve requires you to tear into the dashboard to replace it. Blower motor and evaporator both have to come out before you can remove the valve.
Don't forget to recover the AC refrigerant before disconnecting any AC components and/or lines.
Applies to Honda Accord 2003 - 2007

[@abu-ali-aljehany]

It's so good that you don't have to take off the whole dashboard to replace the evaporater in this car

[@m5sa5osman53]

Right

[@1hicj7]

This is the way a repair video should be done. Excellent video and commentary!

[@NaderSinnugrot]

Agreed 👍

[@worldwide1376]

Superb video and excellent narration of what's being done. It's quite clear, that you are a professional. Most impressive was the use of a torque wrench to make sure bolts are tighten to factory specs. Thanks for posting.

[@lolfunnypeople]

Best step by step video I've seen on KZbin. Subscribed after watching about to look through all his videos. Hands down best mechanics channel on KZbin! Thanks and keep doing what you do.

[@tezskanza]

Nice video sir! Clear views, solid advice and quality workmanship.

[@MattKennedy311]

Great video. Thanks so much. I had no idea where they stuck that Evaporator, and I need to replace mine.

[@shawnosborn3712]

Fantastic video! You make it look easier than it is. "Let's put 8 tiny screws in places where no-one can find them for one small plastic cover".... I hate automotive engineers.

[@arthurfricchione8119]

Your videos are so precise and clear. Best I have viewed so far. Enjoy the Honda videos and hope you get back to me on the torch you used in the Honda engine video. Seems small and compact and manageable. Thanks again Artie

[@Skorp1on1314]

the torch he used is called the smith little torch. it's a torch typically used by jewelers. www.amazon.com/Smith-Little-Torch-Soldering-Welding/dp/B000T43L30/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483231240&sr=8-1&keywords=smith+little+torch

[@TheTexican05]

Interior work under the dash is my least favorite part of automotive work. 🥵 This video was top notch. 👌 How you got a head mounted camera up under the dash to film this impressive all by itself. To other viewers, normally you have to spend a LOT more pain and suffering on this job by disassembling the entire dash. Props to HappyWrenching for figuring out a safe shortcut. (Pun intended) 🔧 🍻

[@happywrenching]

I wanted to mention that I had to redo this job because the aftermarket valve that we got from RockAuto did not work properly. It caused high pressure readings and the A/C had poor cooling performance. Installed an OEM Honda valve and the A/C is working great again. On the bright side - the job only took about 30 minutes this time around :)

[@ChrisWilson999]

What is the OEM Honda valve part #?

[@ChrisWilson999]

NVM. found it 80221-SDA-A01

[@spencerthegreatt]

happywrenching my mechanic is working on this except for her broke the screws somehow and I can’t find the part number on them. Where can I find them?

[@ncross1978]

If you going to go through all the labor why not replace the evaporator. if it has any age at all the aluminum is bound to be degraded.

[@teravolt6113]

+NeilC Cross The evaporator is located inside a closed shell and in most modern cars a filter keeps it away from dust and contamination. It's not like a condenser, which is always open to road salt, dust and whatnot. Money for an evaporator, unless it leaks, of course, is better spent on a new condenser in my own opinion. I have a 15 years old car, with a 15 years old Harrison CVC compressor and ice cold air (as much as the blue type 42 PSI destroke valve allows), and while the condenser clearly shows its years with some bent fins and an opaque oxidated look, the evaporator looks shiny and clean and it seems new.

[@heyitschinoable]

Well done, i was told by my instructor that instead of lubricating O-rings and gaskets with pag oil to use mineral oil instead.

[@motoxrider295]

I used this video to replace the seals and expansion valve on my 2005 Acura TL. Being that they're sister vehicles, this worked great! Thanks man!

[@hmiinch7995]

I'm trying to get the blower box out. I removed the 2 bottom bolts. And 2 on the left side. But it seems there in one more on the right. Maybe up top so where. Any ideas?

[@andrewskaterrr]

@@hmiinch7995 I'm about to do my 2006 Acura TL next weekend. Did you find the last one? Any other tings that were different than the video?

[@snowyowl9132]

@8:15 - 8:30, I just did this and found it very useful to remove that temperature sensor before reinstalling the evap cover. It's very easy to do and can prevent accidental breakage of the sensor.

[@donniev8181]

4cyl or v6?

[@snowyowl9132]

@@donniev8181 V6

[@snapahhed9962]

Awesome video, spot on. Did the job in less than half of what it called for. Thanks

[@stuntmanmikefan]

Great video! It helped me not have to guess where all the screws were to take it apart. Thanks man! It was a very time consuming project though. It took me a few hours...

[@thomashilborn570]

Thanks for sharing the TXV problem. My parts came from Rock Auto too. Think I'll get a factory TXV b4 I go through the time of experiencing it myself.

[@joebagofdoe4762]

Thank you for your time and effort with such good detailed video!!

[@timponcho]

Thank for you making this video. It did help a lot. You made it look too easy, although in my case I had an extremely hard time getting the cover off due to a clip it has at the top that connects to a tube right above the cover. I ended up cracking the cover but patched it up with some expoxy.

[@tonyfajardo7204]

I did aswell due to mis information there are a total of 10 Philip screw instead of said 9 he said

[@jfinngodskid]

Sir you were right on .... Thanks So much ... Took what I thought was a Big Deal , and made it Manageable. Got Laid off Riffed during Covad 19. This was a major Savings . Thanks So much!!!!

[@johnstuckey2384]

Save time by doing a quick fix, If your expansion valve is sticking and not cooling try this first, bled the freon first open the lines that go to the evaporator, high and low pressure lines from the firewall, engine compartment. Take a low pressure air line and blow out any restrictions in the line back and forth on both lines. Once you have done this take some break free lubricate and spray in both lines and blow with low pressure back and forth to make sure the lubricant has reach the expansion valve and let set over night. Next day blow out the break free lubricant once again blow out both lines back and forth until the break free lubricant has been removed. Reconnect lines and draw a vacuum and service the a/c with freon. WOW it works every time I done it and save you time and money! Note: Low pressure less than 30psi and not 120psi it could damage the evaporator.

[@teravolt6113]

I'd just replace the valve, the orifice inside it is very very small. I'd personally get a second hand evaporator, get the valve off of it and use compressed air (and an ice spray too) to just test the valve's correct operation and if it closes when you cool it down and opens when you warm it up, that's it...

[@alexsidd4668]

Excellent directions. This really helped me .

[@jgonzalez9072]

Does videos just save me a 100 of dollars Thank you

[@jwarfield78]

Great Video! Thanks for the simple explanation

[@Holandes09]

Excellent information. Thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge and taking time to make this video. I have a Hyundai Elantra and I would like to see how to replace the evaporator.

[@gabeinhawaii]

Thank you! You a life saver! Excellent video.

[@hudongng]

From Houston TX. Very thank you by this v/clip. It ‘s useful for everybody. 👍

[@happywrenching]

Right on!

[@ZIPT1ED]

This was a BIG help. Thank you

[@josephjohn3560]

I have to do this in a 2005 Honda Civic LX...I’m already stress out...lol...thanks for the video

[@jeffbaur4941]

A huge Thank You for this video!! The step by step instructions were spot on. I wouldn't have been able to do this job without it!

[@crosbybilly8907]

i know im randomly asking but does anyone know a way to log back into an instagram account..? I stupidly lost the login password. I appreciate any help you can offer me.

[@jonascolton1073]

@Crosby Billy instablaster :)

[@crosbybilly8907]

@Jonas Colton I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site through google and I'm in the hacking process now. Looks like it's gonna take quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@crosbybilly8907]

@Jonas Colton It worked and I now got access to my account again. I am so happy! Thanks so much, you saved my account :D

[@jonascolton1073]

@Crosby Billy Glad I could help xD

[@leroydehne708]

The statement he mentions that he had to do replace his txv replacement because the rock auto valve he put in was bad. Thats whey after you replace a major component evacuate, recharge, and operate the system,(even without the blower fan) to verify the fix BEFORE you button up with all the screws. This guy did the opposite. Still a good job.

[@hernanzavala993]

I really appreciate your video! It helps a lot 🙏🏻 thank you sooo much, definately subscribed after this video.

[@sfitz-rp4du]

This is one of the best videos on why you should buy a toyota. I'm in the middle of my daughter's Honda CR-V AC Compressor & Condenser replacement diy nightmare. I'm not touching this part, but very detailed video. Thank you. New subscriber too.

[@Jez2008UK]

No, this is a great video on how to chop your car using a Dremmel, when you didn't need to.

[@hackdeez1075]

@@Jez2008UKhow are you going to get the blower motor out then?

[@chuckp7860]

I wish this worked on a 2004 model. It has a slightly different connection at the expansion valve and I have forgotten what holds it on. It has a rubber grommet on the outside and you have 2, 10mm nuts that hold a plate that is holding the lines in place. It helps to remove that plate and pull the rubber grommet out so the lines are free!

[@chriscarter6152]

I am going to attempt this repair ( I have a guy that will help recover the freon) but, I am not 100% on the symptoms. mine is blowing hot on drivers side and cold on passengers side. I put freon in it and it all works fine for a while....but then it makes a weird noise and a few times I could smell the actual freon bad through the vents, then back to hot on one side and cold on other - so everyone is saying expansion valve/ evaporator....not holding any suggestion as fact for this, just appreciate input. This is a GREAT video of how to do the job though!!

[@jimbright8194]

I got a 2004 Honda Accord that's doing the exact same thing hot on the driver side cold on the passenger side and the Freon blows out of the high pressure relief valve on the bottom of the compressor. I did some searching around and found out that there was most likely a clog in the system so I pulled the condenser out tonight and pulled off the little accumulator on the side and the thing was plugged up with these little white balls I don't know where they came from so I'm going to get a new condenser and accumulator and also change expansion valve

[@ivanmanzo9207]

This is how videos should be made, straigth to the point, save the bullshit for later. Great work my friend!

[@Holliewoodg]

Thank u this was very helpful. I was about to put up my own video till I saw this.

[@retouchMOJO]

In the video at 2:20 the cable you said you couldn't get out so you broke the retainer... just take a small socket (I used a 1/4") and seat it over the top of the white plastic retainer on the wire harness. That will squeeze the tabs that keep it attached and allow you to pull it out of the hole without breaking it.

[@logansan123]

Thank you for this video. Just did this. It is not an easy job but it would have been a lot worse without your video.

[@happywrenching]

Typical reaction - "OMG he cut the dashboard!!!" For the uninformed - that procedure is straight from the factory service manual. You have to remove that plastic piece by cutting along the sides. Blower motor will not come out unless you remove that plastic piece.

[@anti0918]

On my '06 Accord, I am getting low pressure on the High side (100), and about normal pressure on the Low side (40). I think the expansion valve might be stuck open. A shop checked for leaks and didn't find any, and they evacuated and recharged the system. But I am still getting very little cool air out of the vents. The compressor runs constantly, and I occasionally get some frosty air blowing out the vents, indicating that the evaporator is frosting over. The temperature of the line coming out of the compressor gets very hot (about 165F), but after the condensor it has cooled down to about 115F, so the condensor seems to be working alright. The low side and high side lines are not much different in temperature around the schrader valves - they're slightly cool to the touch but nowhere near cold.

[@mega1971tron]

So did you weld back the plastic?

[@EricSwanDahly]

Ha! Exactly what I was thinking. I understand now! Great video. I just wish it was more like my '91(which I can't find so far - just learning everything I can). Let me know if you do a '91 in the next week or so! (LOL)

[@noroi228]

happywrenching exactly!!! According to the service manual you have to remove that plastic, god job !!!!!!!

[@jamesstewart1794]

Remove the dash. Wow

[@daviderhahon]

Great video. Please, how much quantity is PAG 46 oil does this car's compressor require?

[@yksl1220]

Perfect explanation Very clean job and superior master

[@stevephelps4156]

Good video. People in the comments are just lazy. The specs are online. Look them up. This man is busy

[@m5sa5osman53]

I haven’t finished mine but i jus wanna say i love you

[@geecrawdad]

Exceptional video. Mine is fairly easy on a Saab 900NG. Except the tubes on the aftermarket evap don't match up to the lines in the engine bay. Is there a way to bend them? Would a propane torch help? Thanks!

[@oneida80100]

Absolutely excellent video, thanks so much.

[@AymanELSawa]

Hi, thank you very much for the video, I changed my AC compressor on Accord V6 2003, and since then Freon shoots out AC valve. I replaced the valves but it still doing that. Any idea? do you think replacing AC Evaporator And Expansion Valve would revolve it ?? thank you kindly.

[@sergioescobar5830]

profesional trabajó!! perfect !!

[@Korea_MostWanted]

Thank you for sharing your video.best instructions I've seen so far....how long does it usually takes start to finish?

[@happywrenching]

Not counting the time to recover and refill the refrigerant, around 2 hours.

[@desiefiautoelectrician7150]

Your videos are very good. You are very intelligent

[@Sonyag1]

Very helpful video. Thanks!

[@TheyCallMeGlizzi]

@happywrenching What the size of the bolt that holds at the A/C lines to the expansion valve at the firewall ? Dumby me snapped the bolt in two :/

[@TheeDogma]

Hey I got a new AC unit for my 2005 Honda Accord and it doesn't work! Is there a relay switch I have to press or something? Anything helps!

[@scottguthrie8074]

Excellent - thanks! Friend brought over his 07 Civic with no AC - checked fuses and relays and they were good. Only found pressure on the high side and then too much. How can I know if it's a clogged expansion valve/condenser and not the compressor? What's the real clue? Thanks!

[@fern9234]

Thank you so much for taking the time and making this video. Do you think that this is what I can expect for a 2007 Acura Tsx? Thanks again for all your efforts in helping the average diy'er take on these kind of projects.

[@happywrenching]

+Fernando Romero Everything that I have seen online shows that the process is similar for that car.

[@fern9234]

+happywrenching Thanks. It is actually a 2008. Hope it's the same. Starting the process now with your video qued up. Thanks again

[@odawg6879]

Very helpful. I was able to do this much better with the video.

[@acort10]

Hey I have a 2005 accord and started noticing a water rushing/dripping sound somewhere in the passenger lower dash area. I've checked the drains by the windshield and they drain fine. I have also pulled the carpet back and blown air and used a long zip tie to try and clear out the drain hose but nothing came running out. When the A/C is on it seems to drip normal so wondering where else I need to check. Could water build up in the blower and not leak onto the passenger carpet? Can water be trapped behind the firewall? Any advise would be great.

[@alyusmuse3839]

great video it will save tons of times to replace it, but 1 question does this work with lexus es300 1997-2001?

[@abubakarumar3443]

Cool, thanks for the info.

[@edwardvandervelde2716]

Two questions, 1, what do you plug the lines with to keep moisture out? 2, noticed torque wrench, what torque spec for valve? Thank you!

[@luiszidane2966]

do you remember the readings in your ac gauges with the bad valve and with the new honda valve, and also the temperatures related?

[@johnjoseph7382]

normally when it goes bad the evap will frost over, frost on the line in the engine going to it...the evap sensor should shut off the compressor as a result but on some systems it won't

[@sandraperez2117]

Good job!!! Thank you.

[@finallyflying9534]

Any tips on how to get the hose manifold to line up with the evaporator? I replaced all the hoses on my Accord and I'm having a really difficult time getting them to line up.

[@chrisallison866]

Is it the same procedure for a 2012 accord

[@soyeldiego4878]

Wow! What a cluster design! I hope my issue is just the compressor coil. A/C was working great until the clutch decided to take a dump. Thanks for the video, I’ll definitely use your instructions when I have to replace an XPV. Question, is there also a an XPV for the rear?

[@BigAlWillis]

you can access the XPV behind lines at firewall

[@wiktorcheng2730]

I have a 2010 accord 4cyl , can you remove the expansion valve outside the engine compartment without taking all the evaporator out the car , it just remove the both lines connected to the expansion valve ?

[@danielkeller4265]

what did you torque the expansion valve bolts down to?

[@BigAlWillis]

just snug them tight

[@ethanbenn]

Informative video by the way, but I have couple of questions for you: 1) Does taking out the evaporator requires only dismantling the glove box part of dashboard for all cars? Or do certain cars need their entire dashboard removed to access the evaporator? One of an A/C shop that I know in my place remove the entire dashboard just to take out the evaporator which I dont feel good about it. 2) Does car A/C system needs a periodic maintenance? If it does, can you tell me what should be inspected and replaced during the maintenance? Thanks!

[@chuckp1832]

No- all cars are not the same at all. Some cars require complete removal of the entire dash, center console and more. Terrible designs by engineers who have never worked on a car.

[@bobdan1602]

all i can say is thanks and it was awsome to watch..

[@happywrenching]

Glad someone is still finding it useful!

[@James5976]

I took my 2005 civic in to Carter Honda (Vancouver BC), and thought "10 years old, maybe give the AC a boost, do the refrigerant" - so i did, I know its a rip off but I was willing to pay to have it done right. So I get the car back and they say my expansion valve is shot, $500+ to replace. The notes on the work order note that they added refrigerant and now the system is out of spec. I didn't have the money to replace at the time and personally think they screwed it up. Anyway, over the year (or more since the servicing) I've had rainy days when I use the AC or hot days when i use the AC and notice that the system: 1) seems to almost stall the engine sometimes (I notice the compressor kicks on, the idle drops, then the compressor kicks off - all within a second) 2) discharges a mist out the bottom of the car 3) if idle, AC on then accelerating (ie: 1500rpm; any gas) sometimes the belt will squeel until everything seems to sync up. I believe these 3 symptoms are from the system being overfilled and a release valve is dumping the excess pressure out the bottom of the car. This year, as the summer is coming, I'm looking into fixing the problem. Do you think I should: A - take it someone that knows what they're doing, having it recharged/tested - OR - B - replace the expansion valve, etc When the system stays running (most of the time; the belt squeel is the only problem that happens regularly now) it produces cold air. Personally I think it still smells but that might be from the cleaning products they also added etc. Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

[@fatowen1988]

Really appreciate this video. Just one question though, wouldn't you want to flush the evaporator if you already going through all the trouble to remove it?

[@diulaylomochohai]

how did you find out the leak was with the expansion valve? dye wouldnt help as you would have to rip the dash to see the leak/dye ?

[@gknoll2233]

Can you please tell us which evaporator you used as replacement and where did you get the insulation you put around the expansion valve? Thanks

[@tranthanh1298]

very nice! thank you

[@wdsanchez5]

Hey great video,! If i changed all my ac components and flushed the lines. Can i just pour the required oil into the compressor . I drained the oil in the new compressor and added 9 oz.

[@MarketingCoachKen]

Another reason for me to consider buying a 2007 as a daily driver.

[@Ricky07070909]

Would a bad valve, hose or condensation cause a hissing noise from inside that stops when turning the steering wheel a bit?

[@diulaylomochohai]

subscribed! amazing diy, u torqued the valve fasteners, yellow jacket gauges and you used suva virgin r134a

[@hosmerman58]

what did you set the torque to on the expansion valve. thank you

[@adammontez9487]

Can you tell me what low and high side pressures this Honda Accord should be showing ?

[@NaderSinnugrot]

Excellent video thank you

[@Ricky07070909]

If you don’t have the equipment to remove the moisture and contamination.. or to fill it back up.. can you drive like that to go somewhere to do this? And any garage will help you with it ?

[@brooklyn7941]

@happywrenching do u have to push the line back just to nremove that cover ? I don’t have no tool for that one

[@briantezo9232]

That's a lot of work. I need to get something to cut thru that plastic now. What will happen if you skip the last step of removing the moisture and air? Since I don't have that either

[@scottbrutus]

where can you get service manuals with this many details?

[@thelonelywolf88]

So this is a way to get around removing the whole dashboard?

[@nathanhorvath6751]

The Honda manual actually specifies to cut the plastic brace piece when removing the blower motor, which is why there is already a cut pattern in place on that piece

[@reviewtime8258]

There's another way it's very simple you take it from the engine Department where it connects to the wall

[@carslover3509]

great job

[@nitroxur]

Can you make a video for replacing and installing a evaporator core for a 2002 honda accord? Thanks

[@jpconga5]

i have a nissan cube with a a bad freon leak last 3 hours, the freon leak detector beeps at the drain hose under the car i know is the evaporator do you think i have to remove the dash board or i can replace it like this car

[@titolongo1]

Excellent job

[@johnwilson8357]

Whistle noise that is making me nuts from vents now after jog was done. Only way it goes off is when you shut hvac control off.Any Ideas?

[@13salinaspride]

Question. I heard you can just remove it from the engine bay? Any luck with just trying it that way? I have a 04 civic I need to do this to

[@hackfreehvac]

Who the hell designs an A/C system where you have to remove the evaporator coil to replace a TXV??? Most sane engineers have it on the engine side of the firewall where it takes 15 minutes to replace. Nice video BTW. I just shared it with some fanboy who claims that these are just as easy as swapping one in a Dodge etc where they are under the hood. LOL

[@BigAlWillis]

you can get to the expansion valve from under the hood just remove the lines at the firewall, but to remove entire coil yes you need to do it this way.

[@eduardoylorenzaavila4645]

Cuando un aire de un kía k5 nó enfria que puede ser

[@Assassin1710]

@@eduardoylorenzaavila4645 muchas cosa

[@evolutionvn5326]

Designer want to prevenr DIY and feed Engineers. Hard/difficult as possible so you have to take to dealerrrrrrrrrrrrrr.....rrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[@randyrosal6540]

Lancer ex you need to take out evrtything .. as in the whole dashboard. One hell of a job. Very frustrating to do.

[@brooklyn7941]

I have a 2004 Honda Accord ex 2.4L sedan and I used to have blowing cold ac one day it went from cold to hot out of nowhere the ac clutch moves n all dat but could a bad expansion valve be the cause of this ? I wanted to know Becuase I don’t want to end up buying a whole new compressor if that’s not the case , I already changed the fuse to

[@christopherl5755]

excellent video

[@wissamabdalsamadyosif8234]

can i do same procedure to replace A/C evaporator in dodge caliber

[@brooklyn7941]

@happywrenching what socket was that used in the first part of the video ?

[@chitzaowabie7948]

Please, that green socket head shown, what is that for?

[@royquesada5295]

Understand to add pag oil to new evap core, but was that not the old one you remove from vehicle and added oil??

[@silversurfer702]

I need to do this to my 07 Accord v6. Thank you

[@slikevents]

Why did you do this for. I’ve got low pressure on both high and low sides