Expansion Block/Orifice Tube: Service and Repair

Refrigerant Lines And Routing:

Expansion (Orifice) Tube:

Remove or Disconnect

1. Air cleaner and duct assembly.
2. Recover refrigerant. Refer to "Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling, Adding Oil, Evacuating and Recharging Procedures."
3. Loosen fitting at liquid line to evaporator inlet pipe and remove tube carefully with needle-nosed pliers or equivalent.

Install or Connect

1. New orifice tube with shorter screen end in first.
2. Liquid line.

Tighten
^ Fitting to 27 N.m (20 lb. ft.).

3. Evacuate, charge and leak test system. Refer to "Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling, Adding Oil, Evacuating and Recharging Procedures."
4. Air cleaner and duct assembly.

Adjust
^ In the event that difficulty is encountered during the removal of a restricted or plugged expansion (orifice) tube, the following procedure is recommended:
A. Remove as much of any impacted residues as possible.
B. Carefully apply heat with heat gun (hair drier, epoxy drier or equivalent) approximately 1/4 inch from dimples on inlet pipe. Do not overheat pipe.

NOTICE: If the system has a pressure switch near the orifice tube location, it should be removed prior to heating the pipe to avoid damage to switch.

5. While applying heat, use needle-nosed pliers to grip the orifice tube. Use a turning motion along with a push-pull motion to loosen the impacted orifice tube and remove it.
6. Swab inside of evaporator inlet pipe with R-11.
7. Add 30 ml (1 oz.) of 525 viscosity refrigerant oil to system.
8. Lubricate new orifice tube and O-ring with mineral base 525 viscosity refrigerant oil and insert into inlet pipe. Install in proper direction (smaller screen first).