Expansion Valve replacement ??

[atomic]

I am needing to replace my expansion valve. I have the bentley manual and there is nothing in there about how to do it. Also I have searched forever on here and other sites and still nothing about how to do it. I know it is under the dash behind the center console on passenger side and from what I can only gather it is a major pain in the ass to replace but worth the headache. Other than that there is nothing about what needs to be done to replace this must have item to have A/C work properly. Please any advice to make this not a total cluster fuck would be helpful. Thanks guys

[AdamF 88iS]

Glove box out, center console out, plastic trim panel on between the glove box and center of the dash out... follow the AC lines to it. Peel the tar insulation off of the fittings, unscrew, etc.

[atomic]

I knew where it was at and figured the lines would have to go but by looking at it I just was not sure how it was attached since there was NO visible fastners. Thanks for the info on pulling the tar insulation off and getting to the screws. Thats what has stumped me since there is NOTHING in the bentley about it.

[jmarch]

While you have the system apart, do yourself a favor and change the dryer. The dryer acts as a filter and can clog over time. Cheap and easy to replace.

[CorvallisBMW]

I dont think you can pull the expansion valve off of the evaporator, can you? I believe it is all one piece. Anyways the whole unit should just slide out after you have detached the lines and gotten the tar stuff out of the way. There are no fasteners, I believe. I did have to cut back a little of the insulation on the firewall to get it to clear. I did it a few years ago and it took me about an hour.

[maco325e]

Detach the two lines coming from outside into the x-valve they are like one 22mm. and 19mm nuts. Can't remember exactly what size they are, and the same for the two lines going to the evap. from the x-valve, dont forget to replace the 0- rings and drier before recharging the sistem. Check real oem for proper 0-ring size.

[maco325e]

You dont have to pull the insulation from the lines, just open the evap. box and there it is. work on the x-valve.

[atomic]

Thanks for the info guys. I do plan on a new dryer as well since my compressor died !! Going to to a complete overhaul on the system as was needin the info on the exp. valve replacement since there is none in the bentley on it.

[netcsk]

There are no mounts, just the hoses.