The average cost for an orifice tube replacement is between $61 and $80. Labor costs are estimated between $51 and $65 while parts are priced between $10 and $15. Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Expansion Valve (Orifice Tube)
What is an orifice tube in a car?
Mar 29, 2022 · The average cost for an orifice tube replacement is between $61 and $80. Labor costs are estimated between $51 and $65 while parts are priced between $10 and $15. Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Expansion Valve (Orifice Tube) AC system performing worse than usual and blowing warm air.
How much does a Toyota Tacoma expansion valve (orifice tube) replacement cost?
Orifice Tube Replacement costs between $64 and $80 on average. Get a free detailed estimate for a repair in your area. Orifice Tube Replacement Cost - RepairPal Estimate
What is the function of the orifice tube in a refrigerator?
How much is an orifice tube? The average cost for an orifice tube replacement is between $61 and $80. Labor costs are estimated between $51 and …
Where is the orifice tube on an AC unit?
Should I replace orifice tube?
The orifice tube must always be replaced when another important part of the circuit is replaced (compressor, condenser, evaporator, accumulator).
When should I replace my AC orifice tube?
Car air conditioning systems need the expansion valve, or orifice tube, replaced if the AC is blowing warm air or the AC system is broken.Dec 15, 2016
What happens if there is no orifice tube?
Faulty orifice tubes can also result in too little refrigerant flow through the evaporator. If this is the case, the flow of refrigerant will not be enough to absorb the heat that is coming from the condenser. When this occurs, the A/C simply will not be performing well enough to allow the system to cool.Sep 20, 2016
How do you get an orifice tube?
0:321:38How to properly install an Orifice Tube - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTool up onto the orifice tube. And then grab a hold of it. And then you can pull it out withoutMoreTool up onto the orifice tube. And then grab a hold of it. And then you can pull it out without damaging it.
What does an orifice tube look like?
2:528:22How the AC Orifice Tube Works by Howstuffinmycarworks - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe other type of orifice tube which is really not an orifice tube is called a variable orificeMoreThe other type of orifice tube which is really not an orifice tube is called a variable orifice valve a variable orifice valve is going to look on the outside just like an orifice tube.
What is the purpose of the orifice tube?
Orifice tubes are used in systems that don't use expansion valves. Like an expansion valve, the orifice tube is used to control the amount of refrigerant entering the evaporator.Jul 14, 2010
What does a fixed orifice look like?
0:273:57The fixed orifice expansion device - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd there's numbers see looks like that's like an oh seven eight okay a little more about theseMoreAnd there's numbers see looks like that's like an oh seven eight okay a little more about these thing notice there's a gasket there.
Can you clean an orifice tube?
The easiest way to remove it is to pre-lubricate the line where the orifice tube sits it with the AC flush which should be used before recharging the system to clean out oils, residue and metal that your now defunct AC compressor probably back washed into the AC system before dying out.
How do I know if my AC expansion valve is bad?
Symptoms of a Bad Expansion ValveAC System Blowing Warm Air. ... AC Compressor Constantly Running. ... Inconsistent Air Flow. ... AC System Performing Worse Than. ... Frost on Vehicle's AC Vents & Orifice Tube. ... Blocked Expansion Device. ... Too Much Refrigerant Flow. ... Compressor Failure.More items...
How do you install an orifice?
0:000:26Orifice Tube Installation - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow we're ready to install the new orifice tube what you want to do is with your refrigerant oil getMoreNow we're ready to install the new orifice tube what you want to do is with your refrigerant oil get the o-rings on the orifice tube wet.
What color should my orifice tube be?
orangeIt always has to be orange to correspond with the truck's orifice diameter.Jan 12, 2022
Where is the fixed orifice located?
The fixed orifice tube is the separation point between the high pressure and low pressure sides and is located immediately in front of the evaporator.
What is an Air Conditioning Orifice Tube?
Air conditioning systems must change the state of refrigerant during the air conditioning cycle, and these physical state changes are what causes the air conditioner to cool the vehicle. As the hot, high-pressure refrigerant from the compressor moves towards the evaporator, it must be cooled so the evaporator can cool the interior of the vehicle.
How does an Air Conditioning Orifice Tube work?
The orifice tube restricts the flow of the high pressure, hot liquid refrigerant, allowing it to spray out of the other side as a low temperature gas. This low temperature gas instantly cools the evaporator, causing the evaporator to remove heat from the vehicle at a rapid pace.
What are the symptoms of a bad Air Conditioning Orifice Tube?
Since the orifice tube is manufactured to provide restriction and filter caustic materials from the refrigerant, naturally it will clog at some point. This will result in warm air from the vents, and the air conditioning on and off switch may blink on some models.
Can I drive with a bad Air Conditioning Orifice Tube?
Vehicles with a bad air conditioning orifice tube can be driven indefinitely, but the comfort and safety of passengers should be considered. In extremely hot climates such as deserts, not having an air conditioner in the vehicle could be considered a risk factor for children and seniors.
How often do Air Conditioning Orifice Tubes need replacement?
The orifice tube is likely the most commonly replaced air conditioning component. There is no way to know how long it will be in any given vehicle, and any time there is a service performed on the air conditioner it will likely be replaced due to its low cost and high failure rate.
How are Air Conditioning Orifice Tube issues diagnosed?
When the air conditioner is going through constant cycles, the orifice tube is one of the culprits on the list. Since the entire air conditioning system is inspected and tested as a whole, the technician will rely on pressure readings from the high and low pressure side of the air conditioning system to determine the likely cause of failure.
How are Air Conditioning Orifice Tubes replaced?
Evacuating the air conditioning system is necessary when performing any repair which involves opening a refrigerant passage in the air conditioning system. The caveat to that being if the system has lost pressure due to a prolonged or large leak.
Is air conditioning a safety issue?
Air conditioning is a comfort item in a vehicle, not a safety issue. However, the air conditioning also removes moisture in the air for the defrost setting to clear your windows. If the air conditioning is not working properly, your vision may be impaired in humid or very cold weather.
Why is my air conditioner not cooling?
In a situation where the orifice tube is either blocked or stuck open, the air conditioning will not cool properly. Too much refrigerant will cause frost on the core and prevent air from passing through to cool the air temperature.
What is the Expansion Valve (Orifice Tube) all about?
The air conditioning system in your vehicle depends on the refrigerant that circulates in the A/C system. In particular, the evaporator core inside the passenger compartment requires a specific, metered amount of refrigerant in order to efficiently cool the interior.
Keep in mind
Air conditioning work needs to be completed by a trained and licensed professional in nearly all circumstances because refrigerants are regulated substances.
Our recommendation
Whenever air conditioning repairs or refrigerant recharges are performed, have the expansion valve inspected for proper operation. If the expansion valve is not opening or closing properly, you may need one of our expert technicians to replace the expansion valve or orifice tube.
How important is this service?
Air conditioning is a comfort item in a vehicle, not a safety issue. However, the air conditioning also removes moisture in the air for the defrost setting to clear your windows. If the air conditioning is not working properly, your vision may be impaired in humid or very cold weather.
How can we help?
Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.
What is an orifice tube?
An orifice tube is similar to an expansion valve, with both performing an important function in a vehicle’s A/C system. The valve helps control the flow of refrigerant through the evaporator, which is the main cooling component of the system. An expansion valve controls this flow directly through a modulating rod, ...
Why does my evaporator freeze?
Too much refrigerant flow results in the evaporator running too cold, which causes moisture to freeze on the evaporator coils. This freezing restricts airflow through the coils and eventually results in a loss of cooling for the vehicle.
Why is my A/C not cooling?
When this occurs, the A/C simply will not be performing well enough to allow the system to cool. If either the evaporator or the refrigerant hose coming from the evaporator are warm or hot to the touch, this could indicate that the orifice tube isn’t doing its job. However, there could be many other causes for this problem, as well.
What does it mean when a car freezes?
If freezing does occur, it may indicate a problem with the orifice tube, or even too much refrigerant in the system . Many vehicles come with a “sight glass” which can be used to see if there are air bubbles present in the refrigerant stream.
Auto AC orifice tube locations
Because of the way an orifice tube works, it’s usually located on the inlet to the evaporator coil. However, on some vehicles the orifice tube location varies. Sometimes it is built into the liquid or high pressure line or inserted into the high pressure line right where the line connects to the condenser.
How to replace and orifice tube
Before you replace an orifice tube, LLOT or SLOT, make sure you understand how an orifice tube system works and ensure you’ve done the right testing to conclude the problem is actually caused by the orifice tube. Replacing the orifice tube requires you to completely evacuate the AC system and disconnect the high pressure liquid line.
Use the line disconnect tool to detach the high pressure line from the 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.
Lubrication new O-rings and gaskets with AC oil and install on line
Reconnect the liquid line to the evaporator or condenser and follow factory specs for tightening (if required).
Add AC oil
Measure how much oil came out during the recovery process and replace with the same amount of oil
Evacuate the AC system
Attach the vacuum pump and pull a vacuum on the entire system for at least 30-minutes
Recharge with refrigerant
Using the refrigerant scale, recharge with the EXACT amount of refrigerant. Overcharging by as little as 2-oz can dramatically reduce the performance of your car’s AC system. MORE is NOT better!
