Air Conditioning In Carina

[MonkeyMD]

I have a 96 Carina 1.8 CD with Air con. I had the aircon tested at Nationwide and was told that the high pressure pipe is leaking. I guess this is what goes from the receiver/drier to the evaporator. I am a novice so I am not too sure. Just something I read on the internet. I was quoted £400 for replacing the pipe (£90) , receiver/drier (£90) and recharging the system (£75). The rest was labor (3hrs). I found an aircon specialist online ( Cool Car Air Conditioning )that said they would do it for £150, but I would have to get the pipe and the place is about an hour away. I have tried unsuccessfully to find the pipe.

Now my questions:

1) Is £400 too much?

2) Does anyone have any experience with Cool Car Aircon?

3) Does anyone know where I can get the high pressure pipe?

4) Finally, a long shot, but is it difficult to change these parts as in maybe doing it myself? Of course the recharge I will have to do at a shop?

Thanks guys for any help whatsoever.

[MonkeyMD]

Just answering my own questions for the benefit of others that might have the same problem.

I finally took it to my garage (who I didn't realized worked on AC). They charged me 150 for changing the high pressure pipe, leak testing and recharging. Works great now.

The only place you can find the pipe is from Toyota main dealer.

[ADI Paul]

Hi,

I just bought a 2.0 litre Carina and the one thing I miss most is air-conditioning (well... this week in the UK anyway!).

I was wondering, if I got the parts from a breaker, could I fit them to my car then get it checked and gassed?

[CarinaII]

I added air con to my 1990 Carina II. I got all the parts from the breakers for £20, and fitted it all.

It took over a day to do, and when i went to get it pressure tested, it showed that my condensor was leaking, which i could only get from toyota. After i bought a new one, it held pressure, but wouldnt kick into life (wiring problem - the wiring was allready in the car). After devising a system with a few new relays and chopping and changing some wires, it works lovely, and is a real boon in these hot and sticky summer days.