2004 Dakota, 3.7L SXT - Question 1 - I am replacing the AC system on my truck. When I bought the Compressor, Oreillys said I needed the Drier and orifice tube to make sure the warrantee on my new compressor was good. I cant seem to locate the orifice tube. I have read a couple post (elsewhere) that say there is no orifice tube in my truck that can be replaced. Any help?

Question 2 - When I install the new system do I need to put oil in the system or do these parts (they're new and not rebuilt) come with the oil in them?

Any help is much appreciated.

Bill

 

It should have an orifice tube yes rockauto lists one for your Dakota.

These Picks may help the top pic shows how much oil is needed the next shows a label on the compressor with how much oil it needs.

This is for a 98 Dakota yours will vary check your service manual but if I remember its only a little less oil for a 2004.

Oil should be pag 100 comes in a shot can and bottle

For oil how I did it was measure the needed amount of oil from a bottle pore how much oil the compressor needs into it install it close the system up then after a vacuum test is done inject a 3 oz. can of pag 100 into the system.

The amount of oil needed is very confusing but how I did it worked well as you will have oil still in the system how much is the unknown equation that is not easy to understand.

Too much oil is bad not enough is very very bad and will burn up the compressor so more is better but try not to do that.















orifice tube

 

This pic shows where the orifice tube is located and it is not easy to get out be very sure what side goes in the tube first its directional don't install it wrong.

 

Thanks for the quick response. To make sure I am thinking and seeing correctly. The tube you are talking about goes from the condenser (radiator like and in front of the radiator) to the fire wall. Mine has an electrical connection between the condenser and the high pressure service port. The rest of the tube has no connections or a place for a connection. If I figure out how I'll post a picture or 2. Its dark out so bare with me. One picture is the rear part of the tube/hose. The other one is the front part of the tube/hose.

 

yea your 2004 is way different it could be inside were it connects to the firewall or at the radiator looking thing like in one of your pic's . A little investigation will be needed check your service manual for oil and be sure it takes pag 100 it should.

It should be after the high side port not before it.

 

They were changing the A/C system considerably a number of times between 99 to 04 that makes it confusing.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyZWxWm4QCo#t=3.207653

 

Thanks again. One last question. When you say after the high side you mean between the port and the fire wall correct?

BTW JUST HAD A PRETTY BIG EARTHQUAKE HERE IN OKLAHOMA WHILE I WAS TYPING THIS. LOL

 

yes ................... sorry forum dosent like one word responses

 

I have an 2003 service manual but dont see were the orifice tube goes I did find this.

A/C ORIFICE TUBE DESCRIPTION

The fixed orifice tube is installed in the liquid line
between the outlet of the condenser and the inlet of
the evaporator. The fixed orifice tube is only serviced
as an integral part of the liquid line.

This I think is wrong as older Dakotas said that also dealer crap

 

I say as your system is empty now pull the line look into it for the orifice tube it may be inside deep if you have a air compressor put presser on the outlet side and try to blow it out. They called it orifice tube as they wanted you to buy a new line with the orifice tube installed inside it usually at a cost $100 the actual orifice tube part cost .99 cents. On older Dakotas 98 to 00 it was easier but sometimes they tend to get pushed down deep inside the tube mine did I used a high pressure water hose to blow it out pow it flew out pop a new one in things are good.

Use caution if you cant get it out you have a problem and now need the complete new line and may be hard to find a new line.

Just a warning