328i expansion valve

[Rusty Minter]

Where is the expansion valve located on the A/C of a 2011 328i and how difficult is it to replace?

[MarcoZandrini]

Go to www.realoem.com and enter the last 7 characters of your car’s vehicle identification number. Hit enter and bookmark the page. Scroll down to heater and AC section. Click on the icon and find the expansion valve. Then go to www.newtis.info and enter the last 7 characters of the car’s VIN. Hit enter and bookmark the page. This is BMW’s official technical information system. Section 64 is where to find instructions to replace the valve.

[White94RX]

Find the A/C lines under the hood. Follow them back to the firewall. There's the expansion valve. Easy to replace. However, the A/C system must be properly discharged. And after replacement, it must be evacuated (vacuumed), and recharged to the exact level or it won't work as it should.

What is the exact problem you're trying to fix? I don't know that I've ever replaced an expansion valve on an E90.

[MarcoZandrini]

Shouldn’t the dryer be replaced as the system is open to the air?

[White94RX]

Most literature will tell you it only needs to be replaced if the system is open for over 24 hours.

[MarcoZandrini]

Got it. Thanks.