ORIFICE TUBE REPLACEMENT
Note. Orifice tube is located in end of liquid line closest to component listed in ORIFICE TUBE LOCATION & REMOVER/INSTALLER APPLICATION table.
Note. If refrigerant system was contaminated, a liquid line filter (with or without an orifice tube) may be installed. See FLUSHING A/C SYSTEM. It is possible for original orifice tube to still be installed in system.
Removal
- Locate orifice tube. See ORIFICE TUBE LOCATION & REMOVER/INSTALLER APPLICATION table. Discharge A/C system using approved recovery/recycling equipment. Disconnect liquid line at evaporator inlet. Remove orifice, and disconnect liquid line at evaporator or condenser.
- Remove orifice tube using needle-nose pliers or orifice tube remover. See ORIFICE TUBE LOCATION & REMOVER/INSTALLER APPLICATION table.
- If difficulty is encountered during removal of a plugged or restricted orifice tube, remove as much residue as possible. Using a heat gun, carefully heat inlet pipe. If inlet pipe has small dimples, apply heat1/4" from dimples. Be careful not to overheat pipe. NOTE: If system has a pressure switch near orifice tube location, remove switch before heating inlet pipe to avoid damaging switch.
- While heat is being applied, install orifice tube extractor. Use a turning motion along with a push or pull motion to loosen and remove orifice tube.
| Application | Orifice Tube Location (1) | Orifice Tube Remover/Installer |
|---|
| Cars (2) |
| "A" Body | Condenser | J-26549-C |
| "B" & "W" Bodies | Condenser | J-26549-E |
| "C", "D" & "Y" Bodies | Evaporator | J-26549-E |
| "E", "F" & "K" Bodies | Evaporator | J-26549-D |
| "H" Body | Condenser | (3) J-26549-E |
| "J" Body | Condenser | J-26549-89 |
| Trucks & Vans (4) |
| "C" & "K" Series | Condenser | J-26549-E |
| "L", "M" & "U" Series | Evaporator | J-26549-E |
| "G", "P", "S" & T" Series | Evaporator | J-26549-D |
| (1) Closest fitting to orifice tube location. (2) Body code is determined by fourth character of VIN code. See COMPRESSOR APPLICATIONS & BODY DESIGNATIONS tables in the A/C COMPRESSOR SERVICING article in the AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT section. (3) Use Dual "O" Ring Joint Separator (J-38042) to hold line nut while removing fitting. (4) Series designation determined by fifth character of VIN code. See COMPRESSOR APPLICATIONS & BODY DESIGNATIONS tables in the A/C COMPRESSOR SERVICING article in the AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT section. |
| (1) | Closest fitting to orifice tube location. |
| (2) | Body code is determined by fourth character of VIN code. See COMPRESSOR APPLICATIONS & BODY DESIGNATIONS tables in the A/C COMPRESSOR SERVICING article in the AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT section. |
| (3) | Use Dual "O" Ring Joint Separator (J-38042) to hold line nut while removing fitting. |
| (4) | Series designation determined by fifth character of VIN code. See COMPRESSOR APPLICATIONS & BODY DESIGNATIONS tables in the A/C COMPRESSOR SERVICING article in the AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT section. |
ORIFICE TUBE LOCATION & REMOVER/INSTALLER APPLICATION
Installation
- To install orifice tube, coat inside of inlet pipe with refrigerant oil. Lubricate new orifice tube and "O" ring with refrigerant oil and insert them into inlet pipe.
- Install orifice tube with shorter screen end first. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Recharge and test system for proper operation.
