Common questions

What causes a clogged orifice tube?

What causes a clogged orifice tube?

A clogged orifice tube is typically caused by compressor failure. When this happens, little pieces of metal and aluminum shrapnel will be found in the tube’s screen filter. If the filter’s filled with white or brownish debris, the desiccant bag in the accumulator has broken, sending desiccant throughout the system.

Where is the orifice tube located in an auto?

The orifice tube may be located: In the inlet tube to the evaporator. Built into the high pressure liquid line. Inserted into the high pressure line near the condenser. The 5 different types of Auto AC orifice and expansion valves.

How do you remove the orifice tube in an evaporator?

Remove the orifice tube using needle nose pliers or removal tool. Note the orientation of the orifice tube. It must go back in the same way. Lubricate the O-rings on the new orifice tube with AC oil. Insert the new orifice tube into the evaporator or LLOT or SLOT.

Can a bad or failing orifice tube cause a car to freeze?

If the AC evaporator or orifice tube malfunctions, it can cause refrigerant to flow unmetered through the vehicle’s AC system. This can cause the evaporator to freeze over, or frost to form or come from the vehicle’s AC vents.

What happens if you overcharge the orifice tube?

Overcharging by as little as 2-oz can dramatically reduce the performance of your car’s AC system. MORE is NOT better! Most orifice tubes fail due to contamination in the AC system due to sealer, oil degradation or mechanical deterioration.

The orifice tube may be located: In the inlet tube to the evaporator. Built into the high pressure liquid line. Inserted into the high pressure line near the condenser. The 5 different types of Auto AC orifice and expansion valves.

Remove the orifice tube using needle nose pliers or removal tool. Note the orientation of the orifice tube. It must go back in the same way. Lubricate the O-rings on the new orifice tube with AC oil. Insert the new orifice tube into the evaporator or LLOT or SLOT.

Overcharging by as little as 2-oz can dramatically reduce the performance of your car’s AC system. MORE is NOT better! Most orifice tubes fail due to contamination in the AC system due to sealer, oil degradation or mechanical deterioration.

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Ruth Doyle