I've dug myself all the way into the center console now, on my 91 240.

Here is my question: Where is the expansion valve?

Note this is a 1991, which is a thoroughly different system than a 1990 or earlier car. The 91-93 cars SUPPOSEDLY had an expansion valve, although the typical accumulator-drier systems have an orifice tube.

So here is the deal. My console is open, and the clear end cap is off of the evaporator, showing the "end tank" of the evaporator along with the fins of the evap itself. The "end tank" of the evap is connected to the inlet and outlet pipes, with no sign of anything, or any way of getting in there to do anything to it.

There is no expansion valve that I can see anywhere, unless it is soldered in place, is a right angle pipe fitting, and appears to be a part of the evaporator. The typical "old 240" system had the expansion valve right there... with it's capillary tube and everything. Here there is nothing.

I asked this question before, but the only responses I got were in reference to "Receiver-dryers" and the old 90 and previous systems, not the 91-93 system, which uses the accumulator tank--a system that, in traditional form, doesn't use an expansion valve.

So if anyone knows the REAL answer to this (i.e. you have an expansion valve and it is located HERE, or you have an o-tube, look in THIS pipe) I will be forever indebted to you.

Well, how about I just buy you a cold one or two sometime :)

thanks. --
chris herbst, milwaukee, wi - 91 240, 163k; 90 240, 105k; 87 240, 180k; 93 940, 141k