After reading the post on the experience getting to the expansion valve, I noticed he thought there might have been an easier way. There is! I removed four screws 2 going forward and 2 going down and pulled the whole center console away from the dash. I am posting pictures but don't know how to add arrows to show where the screws are. One is top right behind the upper air duct to the passenger the other goes towards the driver top left and 2 are going down in the front of the console. I didn't find any desiccant balls in the valve, but it did have some trash. Be sure to back up the valve with a 1" wrench to keep from damaging the lines going into the evap. Total time from start to valve on vise 40 minutes. My camera didn't focus very good on the close-up of the valve. If all the images come up without re-posting they are below.
And to add to your ease of removal, I am sure that if you had lifted the black plywood base in the front of console up and out you would have been able to totally get the console out of way.
Nice find for my future if needed.
JohnH
I didn't want to unhook all the electrical wires so that is why I didn't pull it any further out. The black plywood base stayed attached to the consol. Besides the rear of the valve has to be loosened from behind the cover in front of the circuit breakers.
They actually slide out the top and all wires stay connected along with that board. I have had mine out to fix a wire.
JohnH
Thanks I missed that one, it would have made it easier for the 2 bottom screws. Will move it on re-install. On another note
Sam's club sells 30# bottles of R134-A for $67.00 best price I could find.
Did u replace the expansion valve? If so, where was your source and do u have the part number?
I have ordered it. It is the same as a Freightliner, MEI 1600 I found a new one on-line for $20.00 free shipping. I just did a Google search for MEI 1600 and found a seller on EBay. Remember this is for my 1999 U320 I know it is used at least up until 2003 because of Barry Beam's post, don't know haw far back it goes.