A/C orifice tube

[JimB442]

I'm in the middle of putting A/C back into my 1998 Intrigue....
Does anybody know where the orifice tube is located? I will keep looking but if you know, I would really appreciate a personal email as well. Thanks.
[email protected]

[kmohr3]

I looked in my Helm manual. It doesn't show a full system diagram, but it looks as it may be to the left of the brake booster, in one of the A/C pipes. My book also shows an A/C filter closer to the condenser too, probably in the same A/C pipe. You may want to check with the dealer for a definite answer, though. Maybe the A/C filter is something that is added after an A/C compressor failure?? Or maybe it's stock on all Intrigues? Anyone know?

[JimB442]

thanks.......had already found it and system is up and running.

[kmohr3]

Jim, please tell us of your experience. Was the orifice tube where I said it was? Was it easy to get to? Did you replace it or just clean it? By the way, did you see an A/C filter in the line also?

[JimB442]

orifice tube only had a very small amount of metal flecks on it.....as per a moderator in ACKITS.com forum, that is expected. Therefore I just replaced the o-tube and didn't flush the system. He claimed that he had dealt with many compressors gone bad after people had flushed their systems and hadn't gotten all of the flush (mineral spirits or actual flush product) out of the system. He recommended that flushing isn't always necessary and I decided to go that route for obvious reasons! He also claimed at least with the GM v5 compressor, seal failure is quite common and he just fixes the seal, evacuates and recharges systems. I also replaced the drier and he said he often doesn't do that either for just a leaking seal problem.
The o-tube is under the master cyclinder slightly to one side in an expanded portion of the tube....very obvious now once I've seen where it is. GM manuals actually state you must remove the M-cylinder but I didn't have to thank god.
Hope this helps.