Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Fixed Throttle Valve (Orifice)
- Inlet on the high pressure side
- Filter insert
- Internal diameter of the throttle valve
- O-ring
- Outlet on the low pressure side.
The task of the throttle valve is to:
- regulate the quality of refrigerant that flows through en route to the evaporator
- separate the high pressure side from the low pressure side.
Upstream of the throttle valve is the refrigerant in liquid form at high pressure.
The throttle valve ensures that the correct amount of refrigerant is released to the evaporator. The quantity of refrigerant must be sufficient that the final remains evaporate precisely before the evaporator outlet.
Too little refrigerant causes the refrigerant to evaporate quickly and the vapor to overheat. This results in reduced cooling capacity.
Too much refrigerant means that some of the refrigerant does not evaporate, but is heated up. This results in reduced cooling capacity. In addition there is the risk that some of the refrigerant in liquid form reaches the compressor. This may damage the compressor because liquid cannot be compressed.
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.