What would cause an orfice tube to do this?

[Shannonwilkerson]

2007 Chevy tahoe
Customer states:
“A/c doesn’t blow cold after compressor locked up and we replaced the compressor”

-Put gauges on, asked him some questions, high side would peg out and compressor would shut off while the low side would go into a vacuum. Thinking there was a blockage somewhere…. Like the ORFICE TUBE

I broke the line and pulled the tube and found this…. I’ve never seen this before. I’ve done quite a few A/C systems in my 24 years on this earth. It’s my 2nd favorite thing to do.

-I recommend an entire system. Accumulator, orfice tube, compressor, condenser, flush lines and evaporator and vacuuming down for a minimum of 1 hour before I would even consider putting my name on it.


Got the orfice tube out, and it was full of metal but I washed it off to find that it looks melted… I can’t even blow through it. What gives…

Anyways he’s happy and cold now, but I’m intrigued.

 

[dishdude]

The old compressor grenaded?

 

[Jetronic]

yes, if the orifice looks like that, the condenser will be severely degraded aswell, and there's a risk of fouling any new parts. btw, no filter in this system?

 

[snarl]

Did someone use a/c stop leak.

 

[Fitter30]

Condenser needs to be replaced., Lines, evap coil flushed and new accumulator/ drier. Compressor come with correct oil charge? Most have a sticker on them and have a bottle of oil with compressor. If the suction line hose has dirt/ trash in it that will already be in the new compressor.
https://www.autozone.com/loan-a-tools/loaner-a-c-flush-tool-kit
https://www.amazon.com/TSI-Supercool-FFQ-High-Temp-Greater/dp/B00CFQQX5S/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?adgrpid=1334807678201204&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.5k3NgwNS77V6L65i4EdOjQCcSfR6diE1es1g-jsnknZi6tpAedRKzVb4qASEv7gWF6Enkqn07gqR4gafDBHc5KpG6CUcriDbiqsliKHvC15U26LylVXUsF5Wtu4IBDSryF4Kv-BK8K8e_XmiKEZmtkfoeFWTNKLGj8ebES5j3Ztck_qVRFLQ7_0SoFRgSa8zDQLFta9H2spMYvMTWi3DGQ.WZ40-PH7OlsWuYv8osbaD7C3O6U3xSMrHtmL1TRyTtI&dib_tag=se&hvadid=83425823247910&hvbmt=be&hvdev=t&hvlocphy=85016&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-83425815752365:loc-190&hydadcr=7484_13291163&keywords=ac+flush+solvent&mcid=27f7cdc1bb3034f0b07d7f2dfab51449&qid=1749314607&sr=8-3

 

[Shannonwilkerson]

Lines were flushed, condenser and compressor was replaced along with orfice tube. I was most curious about why it looked melted

 

[Timmastertech]

Thats exactly what that orifice tube should look like. GM started using that style in the early 2000's. We call them rock candy orifice tubes. https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=13085953&cc=1433255&pt=6936&jsn=662 Picture isnt the best, I will see if I have one in stock MOnday to take a better picture of.

 

[Shannonwilkerson]

Will I’ll be…. Learn something new every day. I’ve only ever seen the screen types.

 

[Chris142]

That style of tube is made like that. One end looks like sand glued together.