Automotive Air Conditioning Information Forum (Archives)

mhamilton on Sun June 26, 2011 1:31 PM

Year: 2000
Make: Cadillac
Model: Eldorado
Engine Size: 4.6
Refrigerant Type: R134a

I'm seeing some conflicting info on the orifice tube size for this vehicle. The GM parts system shows a 0.062" orifice (yellow/white), but ackits (and other part suppliers) shows both 0.062" and 0.072". The 1997 Eldorado shows only a 0.062" orifice on ackits.

I had replaced my compressor, orifice, etc. last summer when the compressor case leaked. I seem to remember I used a 0.072" and I'm pretty sure that is what came out. But I have to go back through receipts and see what I actually bought. My ac works great, but somehow doesn't seem to have that Cadillac level of instant cold. I just want to be sure I have the right parts before I chase a problem that doesn't exist. The Eldo uses the HD6 compressor, not the variable model used in Seville.

Thanks,
-Michael

TRB on Sun June 26, 2011 6:54 PM

ORIFICE TUBE YELLOW .062

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Contact: ACKits.com

mhamilton on Sun June 26, 2011 8:57 PM

Oh no! I need to find my 2010 receipts, but I am nearly positive I installed a 0.072 white orifice. That would probably explain why the cooling is not as good as I remember when the car was new. Seems to suffer mostly at idle in very hot ambients, and when trying to cool the car after a heat soak. Would that make sense if I used a larger orifice?

To confuse matters worse, I looked at Napa's catalog, they say 0.072 is OEM.

Also... if you're wondering why I didn't notice the color difference of the o tubes, someone loaded UV dye in the system so everything was neon green...

Edited: Sun June 26, 2011 at 9:00 PM by mhamilton

mhamilton on Tue June 28, 2011 8:59 AM

I think I'm going to go ahead and get the yellow 0.062" orifice tube... I should get better performance with that, right? I'm sure the factory knew what they were doing when they spec'd it. Or is there a reason to use a white orifice? Was there some kind of running change that was made?

Anyone have any idea how the part numbers got so messed up? I'm still baffled as to why some parts catalogs say white is OE, while GM and others say yellow.