R-406a is better known as Autofrost. Autofrost seemingly has gained a devoted, if small, group of followers. It is a blend, primarily composed of R-22.

Alternative refrigerants are still cutting edge stuff. The best known are Autofrost, Freeze-12, F-12 and Cooltop. There are certain issues with using blends that you will not run into with r134a. First, blends can be hose and o-ring sensitive. From what I understand, barrier hoses should be installed and black neoprene o-rings used. Also, charging is usually done differently. I believe that all alternative refrigerants are charged through the high side into vacuum. There has been some issue using Autofrost and other blends in compressors with seals designed for r134a. From what I understand, the blend of gasses eats away at the seal. The other thing is oil compatibility. Autofrost seems to prefer mineral oil. PAG is definitely not an option. However, there has been trouble with certain ester oils used with Autofrost thinning out and killing the compressors. Also, unique fittings are required by the EPA for each refrigerant blend to prevent confusing or mixing of gasses. I suspect that most people are only buying the Autofrost charge hose and are otherwise using their r12 gauges with the r12 service ports. Also, you need to be careful with charge quantity. The bottom line is that this is not a DIY undertaking unless you want to spend at least $500 on tools. I would recommend sticking with an ac specialist with good experience with this product. Such a person could be hard to find since the vast majority of the ac professional community is sticking with r134a.

I have given some consideration to using one of these blends, but I am waiting for some long term results to see how things shake out. Autofrost may turn out to be the best of the bunch. At this point, I am sticking with r134a and its inherent shortcomings. But, brave souls like you will pave the way for the rest of us. Before sure to report back how it turns out.

posted by 64.91.161...

Autofrost Technical Data

• Yet another A/C compressor question, Chuck, Wed, 24 Jul 2002 10:01:56
  • Too bad to hear that R134 is NOT an option, since>>, Anders, Wed, 24 Jul 2002 17:16:32
    • Why R-134 is NOT an option.., Chuck, Wed, 24 Jul 2002 19:19:42
      • I didn't know ozone depletion was a hoax, Robert Kaplan, Wed, 24 Jul 2002 22:21:14
        • Re: I didn't know ozone depletion was a hoax, Chuck, Thu, 25 Jul 2002 16:48:44
      • this is way to complicated....damn..., shawn, Wed, 24 Jul 2002 20:25:43
      • Re: Why R-134 is NOT an option.., Anders, Wed, 24 Jul 2002 20:22:42
    • BOOM! Out go the lights, Robert Kaplan, Wed, 24 Jul 2002 17:56:02
  • Interesting question, Robert Kaplan, Wed, 24 Jul 2002 12:14:19 <-- Viewing This Message
    • Re: Interesting question, KeithR, Wed, 24 Jul 2002 12:27:09
  • Re: Yet another A/C compressor question, nowers 92-9KT, Wed, 24 Jul 2002 11:13:33
    • R-134a vs. R-406a, Chuck, Wed, 24 Jul 2002 13:33:00
      • Also..., Robert Kaplan, Wed, 24 Jul 2002 14:19:36
      • A former DC resident, Robert Kaplan, Wed, 24 Jul 2002 13:59:33

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