I am a brand new member from rural Tennessee and I come seeking your help please. I have been all over the internet without success regarding an a/c orifice tube on a 97 Ram 1500. Some will say that the orifice tube is inside the liquid line and is fixed and other say that it is removable and located inside the condenser inlet or outlet tubing. I'm at a loss as to whether buy an orifice tube or to buy a liquid line with orifice tube fixed inside. Again this is a 97. Thanks for having me!

 

I have heard the same stories..... According to the service manual, it's in the line, and isn't serviceable. (have to replace the entire line.) That seems kinda stupid to me... but hey, I am not a designer either.... Check with your nearest dealer, see what they have to say.

 

I have called two different Dodge dealerships and one couldn't tell me where it's located and the other said it doesn't have one. ??? I'm almost sure it has a metering device somewhere.

 

Rock auto shows just the tube

 

It should be the bulge in the skinny line that goes to your condenser. Open the hood and loo on the passenger side front. You have to replace the whole line.




Greeting from Nashville.

 

It is for sure inside the liquid line on all except a 97 model from what I've read however some say that year was inside the condenser outlet tube. My liquid line has no crimpings or bulges giving the indication it might be there but it guess it still could be. I think I will just disconnect the lines and see what I can see and be sure before I spend the money. Thanks for the greeting neighbor!!!

 

On my 97, the orfice was in the tube with the red circle. With a 2000 Cummins, it was fixed in one of the tubes. Those are the only two I have experience with for the AC stuff.

With my 97, the orfice was a dirty sob to get out, but I was glad I did it. I'm not sure how the air was moving at all. It sits pretty deep in the tube and was wedged with all the junk accumulated on it.

 

Pardon my ignorance, but is this a common problem?

(I have a '99)

 

I have located the orifice tube on my 97 Ram. It is indeed located inside the condenser outlet tube. I was able to pull it out with long needle nose pliers. Mystery solved!

 

Mine looked like the compressor had come apart before on the previous owner, and he didn't change the orfice out. That's just a guess, but knowing the PO like I do it's very possible.
I don't think it's a common issue, but if a compressor fails, that needs to be changed, along with a thorough flushing of the system. It is the only filter in the whole system that I'm aware of.