Thread: A/C ECV parts supplier

Seriously. Try a dealer. People shy away and yet their prices on *some* parts is very competitive.

Originally Posted by disco42010

I have lost my A/C recently, I took it to a local mechanic and they diagnosed it as a compressor failure as the compressor wasn't kicking in even though power was going to it. I spoke with Greg from AMV and he suggested that the symptoms were 90% chance of just being the Direct pressure sensing valve or ECV.
Does anyone know where I would be able to source the ECV kit from in melbourne? I believe the part no. is LR061464 or possibly LR086045.

Trying to get this fixed before a long road trip.

The part number you have listed is actually the refrigerant control valve, I don't know what an ECV is.

If that is the correct part, you probably need to replace the whole compressor.

By the time the valve is kaput, the whole compressor usually is as well, and it's a bear to get too either of them, so you may was well do the compressor.

I recently replaced the compressor on my D4 SDV6. I can tell you it’s an absolute pain in the butt. Took me a good 12 hours and it is a difficult job, not much fun at all. A proper tech will knock it out in less time but not half the time. If you can replace the valve you mention insitu then I’d be going down that route first.

I think the issue is that it would be around $1200 labour just for the valve to be replaced.

I'd charge at least that!

System needs to be de-commissioned, dismantled, then some will loosen the valve retainer, then charge with nitrogen to remove the valve.. Swap new one in, re assemble the car, vac down.. Check for leaks, then regas to to see if it actually was the valve.

If not, start again.


Last one I did the compressor looked fine, as did the valve.. But I swapped everything and it's ok again.

I just couldn't see what was wrong with any of the replaced parts and the gas level was fine... Bit odd.

Because of the cost of just doing the valve, I'd do the whole thing.

FYI my new compressor was nearly $800 and I also replaced the evaporator/drier $50 plus gas so you are over $1000 in parts the labour on top. I would gladly pay someone $1200 to do the work.

Originally Posted by disco42010

the symptoms were 90% chance of just being the Direct pressure sensing valve or ECV.

I must apologise to you.

After further research I've discovered that in some brands the valve I'm calling an RCV - Refrigerant control valve, is called an ECV - External control valve.. Sorry, my bad.

I've never heard it called that.

Also known as the direct pressure sensing (DPS) valve, which could do with replacing on my MY12 L322 too.