Why Replace Orifice Tube / Expansion Valve?

         Thermal Expansion Valve (TXV)   Expansion Block             Orifice Tube                              

Replacing the orifice tube is fairly quick and easy, and should be done any time the A/C system is serviced.  The orifice tube is generally located in the condenser outlet, evaporator inlet, or sometimes in the liquid line hose assembly, particularly in Ford systems.  Because orifice tubes have a fine mesh screen on them, they can easily becom clogged.  Expansion valves, located on or near the evaporator, are usually more time consuming to replace, and are not required as part of our warranty, but they should be verified for proper operation.  A good technician will know, with gauge readings and temperature readings, if your expansion valve is operating correctly.

All vehicles are equipped with either and expansion valve or an orifice tube.  Vehicles with rear air conditioning may also have a combination of two valves, to orifice tubes, or an orifice tube and an expansion valve.