HOW TO CHANGE THE CONTROL VALVE ON THE SANDEN SD7V16 COMPRESSOR

1. Remove 7 bolts on rear head with 10mm socket.

2. Lift off rear head. If it resists gently tap side with plastic hammer and coax it off. It should pop right off.

3. Look for small slotted groove on side and gently lift valve plate with slotted screwdriver or similar tool. Use care to not gouge the metal. The plate has 2 alignment pins. One is a pressed fit and the other is oversized. Use the screwdriver to lift the plate from the side that is stubborn if necessary.

4. Remove the gaskets from both sides of the valve plate. Use care to not bend the reeds.

5. Remove the oring that seals the control valve in the body of the compressor. Sometimes it comes out with the valve, sometimes it stays in the compressor body.

6. Look at the valve plate and note the position of the reed that looks different (end looks slightly “square”) from the others. Taking pictures will help with this. You must replace the reeds in the exact same place, or the compressor won’t work.

7. Inspect the valves and be sure they are all intact, flat against the plate and not broken.

8. Remove the nut that secures the control valve to the valve plate with a 17mm wrench.

9. Remove the old valve and replace with new valve. Replace and tighten the nut by hand.

10. Inspect the reeds and be sure they are in the correct position and then snug the nut up. It needs to be tight enough that it won’t come loose but not “gorilla” tight. Be aware that the assembly will tend to rotate with the nut so you will need to hold it in place.

11. Install the new oring around the body of the valve and install new gaskets onto the plate.

12. Line up the pins in the valve plate with the holes in the body and install valve plate. Be careful to not bend the pins.

13. Reinstall rear head by lining up the pins in the plate with the holes in the head.

14. Reinstall the 7 bolts that secure the head to the body. Use a crisscross pattern to bring it down evenly. Make sure there is no oil in the threaded holes or it will build “hydraulic” pressure and you will either strip the threads or rupture the wall of the compressor.

15. Reinstall compressor (this entire process could be done on the vehicle if you can access the rear head).

16. Vacuum and charge.

17. Enjoy cold air.