Engine & RV antifreeze....

[MIKE IN lINO III]

Where can I get some of this stuff?

I went to a local sports shop, fleetfarm, home depot, walmart....Everybody has the pink RV antifreeze but it is not to be used in the engine.

Any help would be appreciated.

Mike

[Valv]

I don't get it ? RV is the pink stuff. Engine is the green (now amber) stuff.

First one is not toxic, second one it is.

I don't think there's a "combo"

[beer batter]

What Val said - get one for each purpose. Pink goes in the RV, yellow/green/amber/blue/etc.. in the engine. Don't put the pink in an engine or drink the other stuff. There's no such thing as one for both purposes.

[Fish On! Guide Service]

Is there any chemical difference between the two ( I really don't know fyi)? I've always thought that it was a marketing gimmick myself.

[JollyT]

Pink RV stuff is probably alcohol based. Auto stuff is ethylene glycol based. Drinking the car stuff could cause severe liver damage. Years ago they used to use alcohol based antifreeze in cars too. But alcohol lowers the boiling point, ethylene glycol raises it. Much better for your engines operation. Not an issue in plumbing though.

[MIKE IN lINO III]

I thought the engine stuff was pink also. I've seen it on other websites as being pink. I also thought they made an engine antifreeze that wasn't toxic.

From another site "SEA-015001

SEAFARER MARINE/RV -50 NONTOXIC ANTIFREEZE PROPYLENE GLYCOL-BASED POTABLE WATER SYSTEM" and the picture shows it as pink.

Mike

[New Yankee]

I THINK you are right Mike, seem to recall some non toxic anti freeze that is pink in color. Regardless of color, bottom line is ethylene gycol is toxic, propylene gycol is considered non toxic. The difference in RV and auto stuff will be corrosion inhibitors and other additives used to enhance performance in the auto environment - extreme swings of temps, etc. I'd not want to put auto stuff in the RV drains for that reason (as well as stray away from drinking it...).

[ChuckN]

Mike, I'm confused on what you are looking for. RV non-toxic anti-freeze for winter storage purposes (pink)...

OR Engine anti-freeze.

Two different things here.

There IS a pink/red colored engine anti-freeze out there. It is usually in newer vehicles and is good for more mileage/years than the typical green anti-freeze.

You can't miss the RV anti-freeze in a bottle. It's not for an engine, and like others say it's alcohol based.

[MIKE IN lINO III]

ChuckN and others, thanks for the replies, maybe I wasn't as clear as I could have been. I need to winterize my Searay I/O. "the engine" I would like to use the non-toxic as it is parked on the trailer in the back yard. I am NOT winterizing my water system as we don't use it.

[Valv]

Mike, either or is fine, but spillage of auto on ground is not suggested (maybe unlawful).

Use a large container (5 gallons or more), fill it up with antifreeze and hookup a hose at bottom of tank. Lift tank on top of back of boat, this way flow is by gravity also

Connect the muffs to lower unit, and the hose from antifreeze tank to it.

Run motor and have it use all the antifreeze you bought (at least 5 gallons).

If you can "time it" with emptying motor carb from gas it will be great.

Shut off motor and remove plugs on manifolds and block of engine to drain all the antifreeze in motor. Leave some on bottom of bilge, leave plugs off until spring, BUT REMEMBER TO PUT THEM BACK ON !!!!!

[MIKE IN lINO III]

Thanks Valv,

I thought you were supposed to leave the antifreeze in the block, what you're telling me is that I just flush it with antifreeze and drain it all again. I do not want to use regular antifreeze as the boat is on my grass and I have a couple off dogs. I'll see if I can find some non-toxic antifreeze and go from there.

[Valv]

You will leave antifreeze in the motor, trust me, even with plugs pulled there's always water pockets, but youy want to minimize the chances of damage, just in case.

I do mine every year with RV antifreeze and had no problem at all.

[tashit]

There have been many discussions on this on one of my inboard boat forums. Some people leave it in, some people drain it. It sounds like it's more of a personal preference.

[MIKE IN lINO III]

Thanks Guys,

Valv, you used the RV antifreeze that says not to use in the engine???? If not, where can I get the right stuff?

[TimR]

I used the pink RV antifreeze to winterize an I/O for years. I chose not to drain - manual said to drain.

The reason it says "not for motor use" is so some yo-yo doesn't use it to top off their radiator.

Tim

[MIKE IN lINO III]

That's what I'm talking about......thanks TimR.

[mechanictim]

There is an anti freeze that is pet friendly called seirra, this stuff can be used in all engines all year round. another one is called green mountain but I have not seen it for sale locally. If you are just winterizing a boat I wouls follow valv's procedure.

[Phred52]

MikeInLino, The pink stuff is for the drinking water and drain water of an RV. The Green is for the ENGINE coolant system. If you used the green stuff in your camper water system, FLUSH like you've never flushed before(like a BAD CHILI DINNER)! The Green IS TOXIC! The PINK is tolerible to the human system.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Valv is right on as usuall!

FYI

There are know several colors of antifreeze available. It is recommended that non of these be intermixed.

-Traditional Green

-Orangeish pinkish "dexcool"

-Yellow, Either ford or chrysler don't remember off hand

-Blue, Some European

-Red, I think European also, Audi seems to come to mind

-I think there is one more..its too late!!!

Peak makes a product called "peak global" which is supposed to be compatible with anything. If theres any doubt on which your vehicle currently has I would recommend using this instead of guessing!

Like it said before the RV antifreeze is o.k. to use for winter storage. It would not be o.k. to actually use in a cooling system as a replacement for regular antifreeze.

[MIKE IN lINO III]

I got'r done last night. I was thinking about it and if the I/O is cooled with lake water then the pink RV antifreeze would be just fine.

All fogged and put away for the winter.

Thanks for the input guys.

Mike