Replacing compressor. questions about the orifice tube

oilspotoilspot Wagonist
in Electronics, Fueling & Air Conditioning
Picked up a new compressor, drier, seals, oil. I have a good friend that works ac and refrigeration that's gonna help me pull a vacuum on the system etc. He said we're gonna blow the whole system out using nitrogen, and then use the same nitrogen to check for leaks before we start adding freon.
It's gonna be a learning experience for me!!!

My question is regarding the orifice tube. It was recommended that I change that out when I change the compressor. Where the hell is it? I looked on the damn autozone website and they show 2. One for the condenser, the other for the evaporator.

Anybody know where the orfice tube is in a wagon. The good news is the new one is listed for a little over 5 bucks. Now i'm just hoping it's not in the evaporator all tucked inside the dash.

Comments

  • oilspotoilspot Wagonist
    anybody? I have to order the orifice tube and need to know which one.
    My friend that's gonna help me said he thought it may be behind the upper large line that goes into the firewall.

    I'd like to leave the system intact if possible till I'm all ready to change everything out.
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    If someone sells you an orifice tube for your wagon, slap them. 2 orifice tubes? Slap 'em twice.

    There's not one. The system uses a thermostatic expansion valve (TXV), and yes, it's located inside the evaporator box under the dash.

    The good news is that it's really not hard to access, as automobile evaporators go.
  • oilspotoilspot Wagonist
    do you know? do they "clog up" like the orifice tubes?
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    oilspot wrote:
    do you know? do they "clog up" like the orifice tubes?


    They certainly can. I've not changed one in any of the six 4th gen. Civic ACs I've redone and they've all been fine.YRMV. 1 friend did have a leak from his TXV, but it was just an o-ring.

    BUT... The best thing you can do for your unit's ability to transfer heat is to clean the evaporator core. Since you'll be removing it anyway, the TXV is a snap.
  • oilspotoilspot Wagonist
    I did finally find a manual that covers the a/c some while searching around on the internet today.
    It mentions blowing out any dust from the evaporator core. So I guess I will pull it a clean it well.
    I wonder if that may help with the airflow. While the a/c was working before it did always kinda feel like it would cool better if it would blow just a little harder. I'm actually hoping that there will be a bunch of crap to clear out.
    btw.... the expansion valve is only about $16.
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    Buy a can of coil cleaner- your friend will know where to find it. It'll dissolve all of the gunk from the inlet side of the core. That will most definitely help with airflow.
  • oilspotoilspot Wagonist
    damn, thanks man! I never would have had any idea they made a product just for cleaning a evaporator coil.

    It's funny, but I'm actually getting excited about how badass my a/c system is gonna be.
  • vtecn8ivevtecn8ive Senior Wagonist
    Until you realize how difficult it is to access the evaporator core.

    Some useful info in here though!
  • oilspotoilspot Wagonist
    vtecn8ive wrote:
    Until you realize how difficult it is to access the evaporator core.

    Some useful info in here though!
    with the glovebox already out i'm looking at the evaporator box. From what I understand I just need to free the two lines coming through the firewall, one thermostat switch, and that the evaporator will come out.

    Is it way harder than it sounds? It does look like it may be a bit of a bitch to wiggle out of there.
  • bam-bambam-bam Council Member
    The only part of the job that I've ever found difficult is loosening the fittings at the firewall. Occasionally you'll find them seized.
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