May be thinking of replacing it; where is it located? Notice that my indie replaced in in 1995. Is it really a $6 part on Pelican? Is it hard to replace?

Correction - expansion valve.

Here is the FSM page:
https://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/outside/12253/program/Climate/83-534.pdf
You can see from some of the photos the general location, but not how easy the access is.

Here is a link that talks about it on a later '89 model:
Removal and Replacement of Expansion Valve
Some of this won't apply to your model. I believe Pelican lists ring spanners of 19mm and 24mm for the refrigerant lines.

__________________
Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

Thanks a lot; will take a look.

Never heard it called an expansion joint

__________________

All Diesel Fleet
1985 R107 300SLD TURBODIESEL
2005 E320 CDI (daily)

LOTS of parts for sale!


EGR block kit
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/355250-sale-egr-delete-block-off-plate-kit.html

1985 CA emissions 617 owners- You Need This!
Sanden style A/C Compressor Mounting Kit for your 616/ 617 For Sale + Install Inst.

Sanden Instalation Guide (post 11):
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/367883-sanden-retrofit-installation-guide.html

Yes, my bad. But I am confused. Pelican shows a metal box which looks like the right thing and also shows a flat plastic like thing with four holes. I think I need the metal box valve.

Although it is not easy getting under the dash, does not look too bad to replace.

Is there any way to know it is bad before tearing into it? My freon leaked out and I have not yet had the system checked for leaks. Compressor went out so I need to replace it too; pulley locked up. Pelican wants about $350 for the R4 compressor but I see it on Amazon/Ebay for half that.

OK - looked at the pictorial; what a pain. So if it is leaky and oily, it is bad.

Consider the Sanden upgrade in Rollguy's signature block.

Sixto
83 300SD can be yours
98 E320 wagon

Need to completely flush all lines and coils after an R4 compressor failure, and replace the txv or Thermostatic eXpansion Valve... the old Tv can be gutted and put back in place to ease flushing the evaporator.

While you are at it, spray some bathroom bubbles on top of the evaporator and rinse it out... super clogged in there I bet...

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Good recs; thanks.

Think I have successfully identified the block expansion valve but what the heck is that flat plastic thing with the four holes that Pelican sells?

The valve block itself is metal and has a little "disc" on top that is part of the thermal expansion valve. The flat "plastic" piece is actually foam and is the insulation for the expansion valve. You need 2 pieces of it. It helps silence the hissing/gurgling from the valve and keeps it from sweating and dripping on your feet.

Be prepared for major battle to change out that valve. It doesn't come out without a fight and it isn't easy to get to or get tools on.

__________________
Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

Isn't that funny. They give you no information that the part is just a foam insulator - and you just cannot tell from the pic.

Thanks for the warning.

I did that once on a W126 - good lord its difficult to work on, and speaking of that foam insulation, forget it and wrap it up in some korktape. works better.

__________________
2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)