Chevrolet Repair: Air Conditioning hoses, impala ls, protective caps

Question
How difficult is it to remove the air conditioning hoses from a 2000 Impala LS? I suspect I have a leak on the low side hose near the compressor. I recharged the system about a month ago and there is nothing but hot air coming out of the vents. I did notice some dirt on the connection at the compressor on the low side hose. All the other hoses where they connect look pretty clean. Also noticed that the steiger valves where missing these protective caps that Ive seen on other cars. Could they have leaked from there?

Answer
HI JOSEPH. THE CAPS THAT GO ON THE LINES COVER THE [SHRADER VALVES.] THIS WILL NOT CAUSE A LEAK WITH  NO CAPS ON THEM....SORRY.
MAKE SURE THE LINES ARE LEAKING AND NOT THE CONDENSOR..WOULD SUGGEST PARTIALLY CHARGING THE SYSTEM WITH SOME FREON AND DYE AND THEN CK FOR A LEAK A FEW DAYS LATER.YOU WILL SEE THE DYE LEAK OUT... AS A RULE,THE LINES DO NOT LEAK UNLESS THEY ARE RUBBING ON SOMETHING. CONDENSORS ARE VERY,VERY COMMON..LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED MORE INFO,IF NOT, WOULD YOU MIND RATING MY ANSWER..THANK YOU,,,, TOM...