Notices

Orifice Tube differnces

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 11, 2007 | 09:58 PM
  #1  
power_speed's Avatar
power_speed
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Orifice Tube differnces

I am wondering about all these orifice tubes. I cannot seem to find much information on them. For my rig they offer about five different types starting from really cheap two dollar kind to a kinda expensive 48 dollar type.

Some say variable normal temp, severe temp, fixed.

Can any one help me understand what is the difference between these. Also which one will work the nicest?
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2007 | 12:09 AM
  #2  
bustech81's Avatar
bustech81
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 204
Likes: 3
what kind of truck do you have and where do you live?
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2007 | 03:41 AM
  #3  
lsrx101's Avatar
lsrx101
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 5
From: Lorain County, Ohio
Club FTE Gold Member
What bustech81 asked^^
Orifice tubes are listed by color and cost about $3. The color denotes the orifice size. If someone tries to sell you a VOV or "severe duty" tube for $8-28, punch him. If he quotes you $48, you better ask him what motel to meet him at cuz somebody really has the wrong idea about the meaning of "orifice"..

There's only about 4x $3 orifice tubes in common use in CCOT systems. . Post the make, Model and year and the refrigerant you are using, or want to use.
Most Fords use the black or black\white tube OEM (they're the same). For R134a conversion, blue or red is often recommended.
 

Last edited by lsrx101; Aug 12, 2007 at 03:45 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2007 | 07:37 AM
  #4  
power_speed's Avatar
power_speed
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
1986 F150 302FI. Houston, TX Vicinity
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2007 | 10:24 AM
  #5  
lsrx101's Avatar
lsrx101
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 5
From: Lorain County, Ohio
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by power_speed
1986 F150 302FI. Houston, TX Vicinity
R-12-Black orifice tube.
R134a- Red orifice tube. (Adjust the clutch cycling switch about 1/2 turn clockwise and be sure to replace the accumulator).
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2007 | 03:07 PM
  #6  
power_speed's Avatar
power_speed
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
I am not sure what you mean by adjusting the pressure switch. How do i accomplish this?
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2007 | 03:32 PM
  #7  
lsrx101's Avatar
lsrx101
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 5
From: Lorain County, Ohio
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by power_speed
I am not sure what you mean by adjusting the pressure switch. How do i accomplish this?
Pull the connector off of the cycling switch mounted to the accumulator. Look between the switch terminals, there's an adjustment screw. Just turn it 1/2 turn clockwise. Don't "fiddle" with it, as this can cause it to leak.
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2007 | 03:40 PM
  #8  
power_speed's Avatar
power_speed
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Thankyou I will try that.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Aug 12, 2007 | 05:27 PM
  #9  
jimdandy's Avatar
jimdandy
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by lsrx101
R-12-Black orifice tube.
R134a- Red orifice tube. (Adjust the clutch cycling switch about 1/2 turn clockwise and be sure to replace the accumulator).
I have found the red tube does much better than the blue. Quicker cooling, and colder air. jd
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2007 | 08:11 PM
  #10  
power_speed's Avatar
power_speed
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Thanks I will put one of those in soon.
 
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2022 | 06:59 PM
  #11  
AlewisIII's Avatar
AlewisIII
Tuned
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 274
Likes: 12
Hello, I have a bought used 94 f150 5.0 extended cab 2wd. My compressor went out and I was flushing lines and noticed my truck didn't have an orifice tube. My system is factory r134. So what color should my orifice tube be red, blue or what ?
àny help greatly appreciated.
 
Reply
Old Jun 7, 2022 | 05:53 AM
  #12  
projectSHO89's Avatar
projectSHO89
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,768
Likes: 1,082
From: St Louis
and noticed my truck didn't have an orifice tube.
Most likely, you simply haven't found it. If the A/C worked previously, it had to be present.

The orifice tube will be located either directly in the evaporator inlet or somewhere in the liquid line between the condenser outlet and the evaporator inlet.

OEM should have been a RED tube.

 
Reply
Old Jun 7, 2022 | 06:17 AM
  #13  
AlewisIII's Avatar
AlewisIII
Tuned
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 274
Likes: 12
I found the spot where it's supposed to be inserted but there wasn't one there. The previous owners may have removed it. But red got it,
thanks
 
Reply
Old Jul 28, 2023 | 10:10 PM
  #14  
lbicknese2005's Avatar
lbicknese2005
Trailering
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by lsrx101
R-12-Black orifice tube.
R134a- Red orifice tube. (Adjust the clutch cycling switch about 1/2 turn clockwise and be sure to replace the accumulator).
Do you HAVE to replace the accumulator? Im doing some work on my 89 f150 and ordered a new blue orifice tube and want to know if it is really required
 
Reply
Old Jul 28, 2023 | 11:33 PM
  #15  
F-250 WARHORSE's Avatar
F-250 WARHORSE
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 118
From: starship enterprise
It is 35 years old potentially. they are filled with a fiber mesh bag and dessicant beads. they deteriorate, decompose, contaminate the system, restrict passage ways, in addition to not do their job. no its not mandatory, its not mandatory to change your engine oil, or your engine oil filter, as a matter of fact, just take the air filter out completely to gain flow and save money. your engine will soon suffer but you pocket book will thank you. The accumulator needs periodically serviced, like any other filtration element. if you dislike the cost, the work, the idea, or the other aspects, the fundamentals are as follows: #1 don't repair the air conditioning, you do not really need it. your car is perfectly reliable with or without. #2 vehicles are not cheap to begin with, at all. shoes are. lets face it folks, shoes are cheap. #3 it is a federal law to improperly repair or ignore or to charge with freon a not properly maintained or unknown air conditioning system.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:38 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE