AC leak: which hose?

[bnk]

Hi everyone,
I have 06 C6 A6 4.2, and I am having an AC leak issue. Few months back, an independent shop fixed(?) the AC leak by replacing high pressure switch.
It was fine until a week ago where I saw smoke coming out of the hood. I panicked for few seconds, but engine temperature wasn't going up.
So drove normal, parked and turned off the engine to see what's going on.

I started to hear hissing noise around the radiator area, and was determined to find out on my one.
After viewing few DIY recharge videos, I tried out Arctic Freeze with UV dye, and I believe I found the area it is leaking from.

Attached pictures are taken from the front of the front grill right underneath the license plate.
As you can see from the first picture, the left side of the metal hose like thing in front of the condenser(?) was wet while right side was dry.


Under UV light, you can see the dye came out on the same spot.


Can someone please tell me if this part of the AC condenser or indeed metal line/hoses that can be replaced separately?
I couldn't make out based on the diagram from the parts link.
https://parts.audiusa.com/a/Audi_200...S/1352120.html

I am not sure if it is DIY-able for my skill level at any more. What would rough estimate be to get it fixed?

Thank you so much, and enjoy your cold AC.

[superman_006]

That's the cooler for the power steering fluid

[superman_006]

Both the lines that attach to the condensor are on the drivers side, so anything in that area would have to be the condensor itself. However I don't think that's it (or at least your main leak)...You should be able to see neon colored oil all over the place if you had a hole that big that you heard it blow. One possibility is that the system was over charged and it blew the relief valve. I beleive that's on the back end of your compressor.

[bnk]

Thanks for the reply. I really hope it's not condenser. Perhaps the valve is something cheaper and easier to replace.
Let me update on this after seeing a mechanic.

[bnk]

Dealer quoted 1280 +tax for replacing condenser. 600 for parts, and the rest for recharge and labor. (Audi USA seems to charge 466)
I am considering it done at independent as it's more than what I expected.
Is it critical to use the OEM for condenser? There are 3rd party ones ranging from 100-250 at FCP Euro. They have OEM at 412 which isn't bad compared to Audi USA.

[superman_006]

$1280 usd? I would think that a condensor is pretty much a condensor. It's pretty much just aluminum piping ran back and forth and back and forth with thin cooling fins. If ur mechanically inclined enough to remove the front bumper off the A6, a few more bolts and a few lines and you could switch it out yourself then have someone vac and charge it ir find a frind with gauges and a vacuum pump

- - - Updated - - -

Did the dealer confirm it was the condensor? Or did u just ask them what a new one installed cost?

[bnk]

I completely agree with you especially when Audi does not actually manufacture the condenser.
Dealer confirmed it was the condenser, and it would be 1,280 USD including parts and labor - before tax.

Deciding not to go with the dealer, I ordered a) Nissen condenser (103 USD) and b) OEM receiver/drier (108 USD). Not sure if dryer replacement is completely necessary as few posts suggest.

An indenepdent shop is quoting 700 USD for replacing both and AC recharge - 400 USD if only replacing condenser with AC charge. Better than the dealer, but not hugely great as I hoped it to be.

How much of skill would it require if I do it myself?
So far, I have done few basic things (spark plug change, engin air filter change, tail light repair, MAF clean) - I backed out of throttle body cleaning as I wasn't too comfortable pulling the hoses out without ripping. (I think I can now though after seeing how it was done in person)

Do I must charge AC before starting the car if I am also replacing drier?

Thank you superman_006!

[FormulaElement]

Make sure you change the orfice tube/pressure regulator valve at the same time! Mine was so dirty and clogged when I changed it that I'm surprised its not on the recommended maintenance list from Audi.

The AC won't run if its not at a sufficient charge. Your fine running the car after you change all these parts to get it to a shop to recharge. Look into getting the compressors oil refilled also. These compressors shred thenmselves when the oil in the compressor runs out then you have to pretty much replace the whole system due to metal shavings floating around the lines.

[bnk]

Is OEM necessary, or ones from Advanced Auto Parts can be okay?
FCP Euro sells OEM at 28.99, and Advanced sells 3rd party ones at 1.99 and 20.99.