For rounding off this expansion valve fitting.... So now I have to take the dash and HVAC box out and apart..... Or... Take it to a shop full of tools. And I don't me hand tools...

 

Yikes. I feel guilty for bitching about my expansion valve woes, which were nothing compared to what this looks like...

 

I've taken out the AC box, it's only time consuming, not really that hard. Just be prepared to bag, tag, and take pictures of every little nut and bolt you remove. You'll be sorry if you don't.

This is also a great time to add new sound deadener and new insulation on the firewall to get rid of the old, usually smelly stuff already in there.

After this ordeal you won't have to touch it for another 30 years though

 

ya, thats my plan.

i have to replace some of the vacuum actuators as well.

UGH

 

Not sure how that connection is made on this example but is there no way to encourage it off before having to remove the dash completely?

I appreciate there is not much room in there- I take it a mini Stilson wrench cannot grab/turn the offending animal? Apologies but I am not aware of the specific fastener used- it looks like some type of compression fitting from the photo.

Rgds

Fred

 

i have a few ideas i am going to try. and you are correct it is a compression fitting. i need to go buy some wrenches to cut up.. :-)

 

before major dis assembly,
I would put some PB blaster onto the joint.

get a few wet towels,
then place them around the area your working in,
have a fire extinguisher handy or a charged hose,

Place the wrench your using into the freezer.
wait for 30 mins till the wrench cools.

Then heat the expansion valve with a mapp gas torch,

then get your cooled down wrench,
hold the ex valve with a big pair of channel locks ,
and unscrew the rounded fastener with the cool wrench,
it should come right out

 

I will give that a shot. i think i can get a 19mm flare nut wrench on there, the back side of the fitting feels less messed up. i have soaked it in PB for a few days now. :-)

 

Yay!


Boooooo

 

Hmm, that looks gross!

What did you do to get it off?

 

i was able to tap the wrench on, after i got the hood off. thankfully there was enough bit i was able to get it off. no heat needed. the old seals were TRASH. just junk. i flushed out the hard lines and the evap core and got mostly oil and no chunks, which is a good thing.

new valve installed and hood on and re adjusted. (i hate adjusting the hood), but i had a neighbor that helped.