2005 S80 2.5 Auto - AC Leak Repair Process Question

[velomaniac]

Hi Everyone,

I have a 2005 Volvo S80 2.5L that has an AC leak. The AC was not blowing cold so I added a can of R134a and the AC immediately blew cold. Except this fix only lasted two days, so I recharged again this time with UV dye to trace the leak.

Lo and behold there is a huge leak on the refrigerant hose/pipe that runs from the low pressure valve down to and up to the compressor. It seems the hose has been rubbing on the lower part of the cooling fan bracket and I guess that caused a subsantial leak over time. Side note, why is the hose that close to the cooling fan assembly?

Seeing that this hose seems to be the only source of the leak would it be easy to just buy a new Hose, Receiver Drier, Vacuum Pump/Gauges for leak test, PAG oil (lubricate seals + add oil to new drier). I am trying to decide if I should do this myself vs take to a shop so I want to verify that I understand the process.

So from my understanding the process works like this:
1- Remove broken hose since system is already evacuated due to leak.
2- Take new hose, lubricate the o rings with a little bit of PAG oil. Connect hose.
3- Hook up pressure gauges and vacuum, perform leak test (make sure system holds negative pressure when pump off)
4- If leak test successful, remove from bumper (pain?) and replace the receiver/dryer (add 1oz-2oz of PAG to new dryer)
5-Hook up pressure gauges and vacuum, perform leak test and vacuum to remove any moisture (make sure system holds negative pressure when pump off)
6 - Add 35.2oz of R134a per Volvo guide for 2005 S80, verfiy AC is cold.
7 - Replace bumper, done?

So is my understanding of the process correct? I havent gotten a quote from a local shop yet, but the DIY method including buying tools is ~$400. Just curious if this is something that is DIY or a shop recommended fix.

Thanks!