orifice tube or an expansion valve?

okay, i sat on the phone for a while with the guys at oreilly's auto parts and tried to tell them (according to my searches) that a 97 firebird has a thermal expansion valve. the guy there says according to his computer that the 97models have orifice tubes. and that 93-96 cars show an expansion valve. i dont know what the hell the difference is, so i cant exactly go look on my car to know for sure. i just know that i'm replacing nearly all my components to my ac system since ive got the motor and everything out of the car. then i'm letting a professional handle the rest. i just need to know which one ive got. if ive got the expansion valve, can i use the one out of a 95 firebird like his computer has listed?


edit: okay, make that a couple parts stores (advance auto now, too) show a 97 having an orifice tube? walks like a duck? quacks like a duck...?

:confused: :confused: :confused:

i assume you put the :confused: because you arent sure if the car has an orifice tube or an expansion valve as opposed to putting the :confused: because you dont understand what it is i am trying to ask... ??


edit: in case someone is not following, i'm referring to the AC system

i assume you put the :confused: because you arent sure if the car has an orifice tube or an expansion valve as opposed to putting the :confused: because you dont understand what it is i am trying to ask... ??


edit: in case someone is not following, i'm referring to the AC system
ah ok, sorry for the ignorance, but i had no idea what you were talkin about:)

I know my '94 has an expansion valve. I'm pretty sure yours does to. It would be backwards technology to go back to an orifice tube IMO.

http://shbox.com/1/refrigerant_sensor.jpg
In this picture, the expansion valve it where the two A/C lines go into the firewall to the evaparator. There is a black allen head bolt in the middle, between the 2 lines.

You wouldn't be able to see an orifice tube as it's inline.

The LT1 a/c system has no orifice tube listed in any diagram or GM parts list.

Oh! I didn't know you were talking about cars.

;)

Computers are known to be programmed wrong......:)

All I have ever seen are expansion valves...:) But I might be wrong....


Nope, its an Expansion valve, GM part # 52477944 (95-97) Code f60, Lt1

I just ordered an "expansion Valve" for my '97 through Jason Cromer....cheaper than advance and vAutozone, etc....