Help: Need your advice on AC condenser replacement

[bnk]

My condenser started leak about 3 weeks ago. It was so bad that adding UV dye + R134 mixture didn't last more than 2 minutes (0 pressure reading)
I decided to do it myself after dealer quoted 1280 before tax for condenser, labor, evac and fill.
My plan is to a) replace condenser, drier, o-rings, orifice tube, b) add AC oil, and c) go to independent shop for evac and fill (since I do not have access to the evac tool)

Is it ABSOLUTELY necessary to get evac done BEFORE swapping the condenser and drier?
If I get it done after I replace the parts, will it require disassembling the front end again?

Thank you!

[FormulaElement]

I don't think it matters. I replaced everything that you are minus the condenser, but also replaced the compressor and didn't have the system evacuated before and it works fine.

Why would you need to disassemble the front again?

[superman_006]

When your system isn't sealed and you have zero pressure there is nothing to "evac" out. The evac is sucking the Freon out that has already escaped into the atmosphere.

[bnk]

Guys, thank you so much for your wisdom.

Assuming I have a quite large leak in my condenser, I figured moisture built up in the system in past 3 weeks - rained pretty good in few days.
So, I thought evac was necessary to pull any dirt or moisture rather than 134 - or Bentley manual scared me. I also assumed the front end had to be taken off to evac (wasn't sure if the port used to evac is accessible easily)
I also guessed, if replace the drier with wet system, it would become bad upon installing.

Let me know if this is not that alarming, then I will start working on the car Friday night, and take it to a shop only for charging on Saturday morning.

Thanks again!

[superman_006]

Once you install all your parts. The person who is going to charge your system will hook up a vacuum pump on the entire system. This will remove all the air and moisture, they will then let it sit for a while with the vacuum on it (this checks for small leaks). Then they will put Freon in your system. There is a sticker under your hood somewhere that will have the amount of Freon (by weight) your system takes.