I have just done this job on my 981.
When I bought the car the intention was to pay people to fix anything that should go wrong having worked on cars for 40 years I thought I would pay someone else to do it.
Then I got some prices and after some youtube videos I thought this jobs looks easy, and it is.
I bought two OE quality condensers from Euro Car Parts that came with green O-rings. I soaked the O-rings in PAG oil for a few hours before fitting (PAG oil I also bought from Car Parts 4 Less for about £5)
I also bought the drier from ECP but the supplied green O-rings were too small so I was very careful in removing the old purple ones then soaked these in PAG oil before refitting.
I was also concerned about the front bumper duct openings being the culprit to early condenser failure. Every time I wash the car I clear the ducts of debris & stones but thought they should have more protection. So I bought some plastic mesh from Car Builder Solutions and from paper templates I cut this to fix to the rear of the duct opening cross bars with small cable ties. The mesh cell size is 25mm x 10mm.
https://www.carbuildersolutions.com/de/moulded-abs-hex-mesh-large-sheet-1500mm-x-300mm
I know the aftermarket steel mesh ones have a smaller mesh size and they told me when I was enquiring about their grilles that they have never had any feedback that the small mesh restricts the air flow.
However my son works in F1 (not in aerodynamics but he uses aerodynamic theory in what he designs) and he recommended the larger mesh size for adequate air flow.
The cable ties cannot be seen as I put them under the cross bar covers.
I then took it to a local garage to refill with gas.
I was quoted that for a system up to 650 grams of gas costs £45, above 650 grams the cost goes up dependent on gas used.
I understand that all Boxster's take 850 grams.
Cost me £88 for a recharge.
And the used o-rings obviously held up as their automatic filling machine apparently prevents a refill if there is any leakage on the system under vacuum conditions.
