Where is the Orifice Tube?

[Jacko]

Hey Guys,
I am in the process of replacing the A/C accumulator on 4915 and will replace the orifice tube at the same time. Small problem ... when I removed the fitting/hose the orifice tube is not there. I shined a light and looked ... as far as I could see ... Nada. I stuck a See Snake in ... no OT. I stuck a wire with a barb on the end and it went in 17" and hit 'something'. I twisted and pulled the wire out ... empty. I was afraid to continue that fearing I could have to replace something else.

Where could the OT be hiding? It has to be there because the A/C was working. Could it have been sucked into the accumulator? ... or does the flow go the other way? I've done this before and knew the OT sometimes is difficult to remove but this is ridiculous.

Anyone had this issue? I appreciate any advice anyone may offer.

[sean]

It is in the tube coming off the evaporator near the accumulator. I suppose a PO could have removed it.
3107

[Jacko]

It is in the tube coming off the evaporator near the accumulator. I suppose a PO could have removed it.
3107Thanks Sean,

Well, the thing is the A/C has been working and as I understand it the orifice tube is what makes it work. I guess I'll assume the D ate it and I'll just put a new one in. Now, which end of the OT goes in the pipe first?

Also, when I removed the old accumulator it had a lot of sludge in it. Is that normal?

Thank you, Sean

[Nicholas R]

It goes in in the direction shown in the photo that sean posted

[sean]

That sludge is probably a combination of old oil, freon and hose. Kinda normal for it to collect there.

[Jacko]

That sludge is probably a combination of old oil, freon and hose. Kinda normal for it to collect there.I kinda figured that sludge was normal.

Sean, on another aspect, something just doesn't seem right the way the orifice tube sits in the hose. When the OT is inserted it's not tight at all ... there is an O ring on the OT that leads me to think it would seal something but it doesn't appear it could. Or, am I totally confused??

Thanks

[DMCMW Dave]

I think you are trying to put it in the wrong place. It does NOT go into the tube where the bottle is connected. It goes into the other one, where the hose from the condenser is connected.

I had a car in here that was missing the orifice tube - the A/C didn't work at all, and the pressures were of course all wrong.

[Jacko]

I think you are trying to put it in the wrong place. It does NOT go into the tube where the bottle is connected. It goes into the other one, where the hose from the condenser is connected.

I had a car in here that was missing the orifice tube - the A/C didn't work at all, and the pressures were of course all wrong.Okay, I'm hanging my head in shame. Dave, you were correct. I was looking for the OT in the wrong hose.
I looked in the proper hose and found the OT. It was pretty far inside and a PITA to extract but I finally got it out.

Now, I have replaced the accumulator and the orifice tube and then I put it all back together and pulled a vacuum. It held 29 inches for over an hour. By then it was about 8 o'clock and I left the shop but left the vacuum hoses hooked up. The next morning, about 9:00, I checked the gauges and they were still indicating over 25 inches ... after 13 hours so I assume I have no leaks.

Now, I have another puzzler. I charged it up with about one and 3/4 cans of R-134a and the compressor is cycling and running a lot and the gauges are indicating about 170 PSI but no cold air. As I was near the end of the second can, rather than the can being cold to the touch it began to heat up. I'm thinking there is an obstruction somewhere with the orifice tube the prime suspect. I was only able to get the new OT in just far enough to close the fitting. Should it go in further? Does this sound like it could be the problem? ... I'm lost as a goose!

Thanks in advance.

[Bitsyncmaster]

If your OT was plugged your compressor would switch off for a long time. At the compressor side, does the low side hose feel cold? Did you have those hoses off the compressor? Maybe you mixed them up.

170 PSI sounds low for R134a.

Did you use the standard OT or the fancy variable OT that Hervey sells?