Getting knowledge and equipment is a good thing to do. The supplieres listed above both have the MasterCool auto a/c book available for about $20. I would recommend it.

As far as the car you mentioned, don't jump too far ahead. Before dismantling anything, determine the condition of the system. It could very well be that it is simply low on refrigerant. If so there is probably a leak, but necessarily so. It is not uncommon for a system in good order to leak an ounce or so a year. If this were the case, you would only need to recharge and maybe add just a little oil.

It is even more possible that there is a marginal leak. If everything seems okay, just charge it with some UV dye, so that you can find the leak if there is one. You will need dye and a black light to find the dye.

Get the book and keep posting questions here. If you're serious about learning, there are enough of us here with a/c experience that you will be an old hand in no time.

Good luck,