Expansion valve location

New to the forum? Introduce yourself here. Been around awhile? Tell us about yourself.
Post Reply
2005 pontiac
SE Member
SE Member
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Apr 22, 2018 10:53 pm
Year and Trim: 2005 Pontiac Bonneville 3.8 SE

Expansion valve location

Post by 2005 pontiac »

Aloha from Hawaii! I have a 2005 Pontiac Bonneville 3.8. I can't seem to find the expansion valve for my a/c. Some call it the oriphis tube, but that's not what I'm looking for. Any photo or information of it's location would be gratefully appreciated!
User avatar
harofreak00
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 26022
Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 6:04 pm
Year and Trim: 2004 GXP - plus a handful of other Bonnevilles
Location: Browerville, MN
Contact:

Re: Expansion valve location

Post by harofreak00 »

There is no expansion valve. The oriphis tube is between the low and high side valves.
Andrew - owner/operator of Bonnevilles Unlimited
Image
2004 Bonneville GXP | 60k | White Gold Tricoat | custom built supercharged 3800 hot rod | garage queen
1997 Corvette | 57k | Silver Metallic | Z06 wheels | Date-night Hauler/Parts runner
2014 Town & Country Limited | Cashmere Pearl | 115k | Family Hauler
2002 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Sport | Black| 280k | Official Bonneville Hauler
2005 pontiac
SE Member
SE Member
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Apr 22, 2018 10:53 pm
Year and Trim: 2005 Pontiac Bonneville 3.8 SE

Re: Expansion valve location

Post by 2005 pontiac »

I appreciate your quick reply. When I check the low side it's at about 40 and the high side is about 200. Then the high side starts to up, but the low side does not adjust accordingly. This lead ne to believe that there is some type of blockage/ restriction. Am I on the right track?
User avatar
harofreak00
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 26022
Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 6:04 pm
Year and Trim: 2004 GXP - plus a handful of other Bonnevilles
Location: Browerville, MN
Contact:

Re: Expansion valve location

Post by harofreak00 »

What is the actual problem with the system? Is it not cooling? Your numbers sound normal.
Andrew - owner/operator of Bonnevilles Unlimited
Image
2004 Bonneville GXP | 60k | White Gold Tricoat | custom built supercharged 3800 hot rod | garage queen
1997 Corvette | 57k | Silver Metallic | Z06 wheels | Date-night Hauler/Parts runner
2014 Town & Country Limited | Cashmere Pearl | 115k | Family Hauler
2002 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Sport | Black| 280k | Official Bonneville Hauler
2005 pontiac
SE Member
SE Member
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Apr 22, 2018 10:53 pm
Year and Trim: 2005 Pontiac Bonneville 3.8 SE

Re: Expansion valve location

Post by 2005 pontiac »

The temperature in the car with a/c on gets cold, but not as cold since I changed the compressor. It was the reason I had changed the compressor since I had a new spare. It's just a little colder, but not where I think it could be/ use to be. It's in the range of 70-60 at the most.
User avatar
harofreak00
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 26022
Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 6:04 pm
Year and Trim: 2004 GXP - plus a handful of other Bonnevilles
Location: Browerville, MN
Contact:

Re: Expansion valve location

Post by harofreak00 »

Did you evacuate the system? How much freon did you put in?
Andrew - owner/operator of Bonnevilles Unlimited
Image
2004 Bonneville GXP | 60k | White Gold Tricoat | custom built supercharged 3800 hot rod | garage queen
1997 Corvette | 57k | Silver Metallic | Z06 wheels | Date-night Hauler/Parts runner
2014 Town & Country Limited | Cashmere Pearl | 115k | Family Hauler
2002 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Sport | Black| 280k | Official Bonneville Hauler
2005 pontiac
SE Member
SE Member
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Apr 22, 2018 10:53 pm
Year and Trim: 2005 Pontiac Bonneville 3.8 SE

Re: Expansion valve location

Post by 2005 pontiac »

Evac was for about 45 minutes and about 2# of coolant. If there is no expansion valve, what converts the liquid to a vapor?
User avatar
harofreak00
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 26022
Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 6:04 pm
Year and Trim: 2004 GXP - plus a handful of other Bonnevilles
Location: Browerville, MN
Contact:

Re: Expansion valve location

Post by harofreak00 »

The system performs much better with 2.5lbs, even though the manual states 2lbs. If you notice its cooler on the passenger side than the drivers side, that is a symptom of a low charge.

Here is a link with a simple explanation of the differences between a cycling clutch orifice tube system and a thermostatic expansion valve system.

https://www.freeasestudyguides.com/ac-ccot-vs-txv.html
Andrew - owner/operator of Bonnevilles Unlimited
Image
2004 Bonneville GXP | 60k | White Gold Tricoat | custom built supercharged 3800 hot rod | garage queen
1997 Corvette | 57k | Silver Metallic | Z06 wheels | Date-night Hauler/Parts runner
2014 Town & Country Limited | Cashmere Pearl | 115k | Family Hauler
2002 Ram 1500 Quad Cab Sport | Black| 280k | Official Bonneville Hauler
2005 pontiac
SE Member
SE Member
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Apr 22, 2018 10:53 pm
Year and Trim: 2005 Pontiac Bonneville 3.8 SE

Re: Expansion valve location

Post by 2005 pontiac »

Thanks for taking the time and effort in linking me up with the site. I didn't know. I thought all vehicles with a/c had an expansion valve. I thought the orifice tube was only to filter out rubbish in the system. Thanks again.
2005 pontiac
SE Member
SE Member
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Apr 22, 2018 10:53 pm
Year and Trim: 2005 Pontiac Bonneville 3.8 SE

Re: Expansion valve location

Post by 2005 pontiac »

I sure could use a diagram of the accumulator and which way the orifice tube faces. I found my orifice tube in the connecting side of the low side to accumulator.
JEFFSSSEI
SSE Member
SSE Member
Posts: 133
Joined: Sat Oct 28, 2017 10:00 pm
Year and Trim: 2003 Pontiac Bonneville SSEI

Re: Expansion valve location

Post by JEFFSSSEI »

I posted pics of those in your other thread but here:

here you go this is what GMSI shows for 05 model

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KI4Tw3 ... sp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hzPCN4 ... sp=sharing
2003 Pontiac Bonneville SSEI
3.8L V6 SC, 180*T (Drilled),
Custom PCM w/Perf Shift,
SLP Ceramic Coated Headers,
Thrasher Cold Air Intake,
GXP Tails, Interior Door handles, Trim pieces etc.
40th Aniv Grand Prix GTP Wheels (Very Shiny & Very Annoying :pukeleft: )
2005 pontiac
SE Member
SE Member
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Apr 22, 2018 10:53 pm
Year and Trim: 2005 Pontiac Bonneville 3.8 SE

Re: Expansion valve location

Post by 2005 pontiac »

When I go to these sites, I get this.

Sorry, the file you have requested does not exist.

Make sure that you have the correct URL and the file exists.
User avatar
Archon
Resident Gearhead
Resident Gearhead
Posts: 8781
Joined: Mon May 19, 2008 10:30 pm
Year and Trim: 2014 Cadillac XTS Vsport.
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan

Re: Expansion valve location

Post by Archon »

If it helps, this is what the instructions say: "Install the new expansion tube. Ensure that the short screen and arrow face toward the evaporator."
*Gone, but not forgotten* - Black 2000 SSEi, HIR Headlights, Angel Eyes fogs, 3rd brake light overlay, hi-flo cat, 180 degree thermostat, HS 1.9 rockers, LSx yellow springs, Intense FWI, PCM, shift kit, push rods, and 3.4 Pulley. ZZP Power Log.
2005 pontiac
SE Member
SE Member
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Apr 22, 2018 10:53 pm
Year and Trim: 2005 Pontiac Bonneville 3.8 SE

Re: Expansion valve location

Post by 2005 pontiac »

My accumulator is under the hood. One line going in and the other end is where the orifice tube goes. That line goes into the firewall. Hate NAPA guy told me the short side of the tube faces towards the accumulator faxing the front of the car. I'm confused.
JEFFSSSEI
SSE Member
SSE Member
Posts: 133
Joined: Sat Oct 28, 2017 10:00 pm
Year and Trim: 2003 Pontiac Bonneville SSEI

Re: Expansion valve location

Post by JEFFSSSEI »

2005 pontiac wrote:When I go to these sites, I get this.

Sorry, the file you have requested does not exist.

Make sure that you have the correct URL and the file exists.

Code: Select all

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hzPCN45IfH22VIi5qFtZrymUEWCA0Voc/view?usp=sharing

Code: Select all

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KI4Tw3gjg986SDHeFGtl-rZo9KBOCl_Q/view?usp=sharing
try copying and pasting those.
2003 Pontiac Bonneville SSEI
3.8L V6 SC, 180*T (Drilled),
Custom PCM w/Perf Shift,
SLP Ceramic Coated Headers,
Thrasher Cold Air Intake,
GXP Tails, Interior Door handles, Trim pieces etc.
40th Aniv Grand Prix GTP Wheels (Very Shiny & Very Annoying :pukeleft: )
2005 pontiac
SE Member
SE Member
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Apr 22, 2018 10:53 pm
Year and Trim: 2005 Pontiac Bonneville 3.8 SE

Re: Expansion valve location

Post by 2005 pontiac »

Thanks a million! It's exactly what I was looking for. Now I get it. I cannot tell you how grateful I am! Thanks again!
Post Reply