Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

johnboy123 on Wed July 17, 2013 10:36 PM

Year: 2003
Make: Dodge
Model: Caravan
Engine Size: 3.3
Refrigerant Type: R-134a
Ambient Temp: 95
Pressure Low: 45
Pressure High: 275
Country of Origin: United States

Front AC equipped only. First TXV adventure from orifice tubes. Replaced TXV valve as part of the required warranty for replacing compressor, etc. The sniffer I'm using finds a leak on the topside of the new TXV block where there are two holes. One hole is plugged with a bulb-type device covered with a white sealant or conductive paste? and a wire harness tied to it. The other hole is simply open and I believe it had a piece of aluminum tape over it. The sniffer picks up a leak from that hole. Was I supposed to plug that with a screw? Or plug it with whatever white paste that was in the other side of the TXV and cover it with a piece of aluminum tape?

Cussboy on Wed July 17, 2013 11:24 PM

Probably picking up fumes from the sealant.

Cussboy on Wed July 17, 2013 11:25 PM

Do you see any soap bubbles there when you try that?

Edited: Wed July 17, 2013 at 11:26 PM by Cussboy

johnboy123 on Thu July 18, 2013 12:02 AM

No soap bubbles found. I "sniffed" the old one with sealant in it. Maybe the old one lost some of its fuming properties from setting in the air, the sniffer didn't register on it. Do those top side channels connect into the freon path? Or do they just register temp for control of the valve?

iceman2555 on Thu July 18, 2013 12:27 AM

There should be two or more access locations of the side of the valve. These should be sealed with a threaded plug...each of them. Insure that these plugs are in place. The wiring harness/switch is a LPCO type switch. However, my parts book does not show this for your particular vehicle. Maybe incorrect. Just insure that all of these ports are sealed and closed completely.
Also this valve requires two specific orings. The liquid inlet side requires a capture type #8 oring and the Suction Outlet requires a capture type oring #10. If these orings are not used...this could be the source of your leaks.



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