Crown Victoria V8-281 4.6L SFI (1998)
Orifice Tube: Description and Operation
The A/C evaporator core orifice has the following characteristics:
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is color coded orange
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has a diameter of 1.46 mm (0.058 inch)
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is located in the evaporator core inlet tube
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has filter screens located on the inlet and outlet ends of the tube body
The A/C evaporator core orifice is constructed with a plastic body, two screens and a small brass tube down the center of the plastic body. Two O-ring
seals surround the A/C evaporator core orifice body to seal against leakage around the body.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to remove the A/C evaporator core orifice with pliers or to twist or rotate the A/C evaporator core orifice in the A/C
evaporator core tube. To do so will break the fixed orifice tube body in the evaporator core tube. Use only the recommended tool.
The A/C evaporator core orifice assembly is the restriction in the refrigerant circuit that creates the pressure drop necessary for cooling by metering the
flow of liquid refrigerant into the A/C evaporator core, which reduces the pressure.
Operation is as follows:
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The inlet filter screen acts as a strainer for the liquid refrigerant flowing through the A/C evaporator core orifice.
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O-rings on the A/C evaporator core orifice prevent the high-pressure liquid refrigerant from bypassing the A/C evaporator core orifice.
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Adjustment or services cannot be made to the A/C evaporator core orifice assembly. It must be replaced as a unit.
NOTE: The A/C evaporator core orifice should be replaced whenever an A/C compressor is replaced.
