See full version: Can You Use RV Antifreeze to Winterize a Boat
Boat and RV antifreeze comes in different strengths and colors, but there's no standard for what the colors mean. Pink is generally the lowest protection, with darker colors of blue, purple or green meaning more protection. Read the label on any non-marine product to ensure what you are buying is what you need and what you are expecting. more
Most engine coolant contains Ethylene Glycol or other toxic chemicals and should be used nowhere but in the self contained fresh-water side of your engine cooling system. Never let it leak into the water and clean spills promptly. more
Antifreeze you use on your boat should be: more
This is due to the difference in ratings of some antifreeze. Read on to learn how to protect your boat, where you can use RV antifreeze to save a few of those precious boat-bucks, and where you definitely shouldn't use it.
This isn't the first time I've heard of the RV anti-freeze, but I haven't checked on it yet as to whether or not it's good for the aluminum engines.
"In cool regions (where freezing point temperature
may be encountered), cooling system must be
filled with water and antifreeze solution (40% water,
60% antifreeze)."
"NOTE: The engine will not have to run during this
operation but should have been ran before to exhaust
water from cooling system components." [links]
For 2 stroke engines it is better to add straight anti freeze to the engine as it will mix with any water than have it too diluted with a 50/50 mix. If you adding antifreeze to a inter cooling seadoo/ 4-tec than you need 50/ 50 mix and the antifreeze MUST be for aluminum engine use. Here is more information about anti freeze. Be sure to use anti freeze made for aluminum block engines. You need to follow the service manual method exactly. The service manual says to pinch hoses, and insert the fluid from the top water line. On some models you needed to pinch 4 hoses. What I did is buy vice-grips with smooth jaws ($5.00 usd each). Fill it with around 2 liters of antifreeze, un pinch one hose, put another 6 oz., wait, then remove the vice-grips. Almost all the fluid will then come out at the bottom. The idea is to mix the antifreeze with whatever water was in the cooling system, so it doesn't freeze.
Antifreeze formulations such as ethylene glycol or propylene glycol have inhibitor components that can indefinitely retain their basic properties. These corrosion inhibitors are gradually used up and have to be replenished regularly. Most automotive and marine antifreeze manufacturers recommend periodic replacement of engine antifreeze/ coolant to renew corrosion inhibitors and remove contaminants. [links]
Consider these factors in your selection process of the best marine antifreeze products. It covers key topics on RV and marine antifreeze, from types to the best brands you can consider when deciding. Providing you the knowledge you needed to make a sound choice and serve as baseline information for your search. here
The main use for antifreeze includes protecting engines against freeze damage. It can winterize potable water containment, sanitation, engines on storage, and air conditioners during winter seasons. It also serves as an effective coolant for running marine and automotive engines. [links]
You can use its 1-gallon container for a straightforward application and user-friendly components for heavy-duty marine RV and boat engines. This versatility is routinely earning positive reviews from the consumer’s end. This brand offers more excitement from effective results than dealing with extreme cold weather conditions, which I experienced personally. more
Some of these antifreeze products can pose a threat or endanger lives when not properly handled and directions for use are not followed. Here are a few of its advantages and disadvantages you need to consider. [links]
It also comes with a formulation containing virgin, non-toxic USP-compliant ingredients, and no alcohols or caustic additives. This is a premium brand that I love using for quite some time. Thanks to its high-grade and well-blended additive components, this product helps prevent corrosion or rust in my marine vehicle engines. You can use the safest formula with solder, copper, brass, aluminum engines, plastic, rubber, seals, or hose materials. more
Can you use RV Antifreeze to winterize a boat? RV antifreeze and marine antifreeze are chemically the same. For most parts of winterizing your boat, RV antifreeze can absolutely do the job for a boat. But there are a few possible caveats, and it won't do for every job you may need - for example, the bilge pump.
One tipoff that you're looking at engine coolant instead of antifreeze is the price - coolant is much more expensive than non-toxic, propylene glycol based anti-freeze. The color is different - green or orange - and there are prominent poison warnings on the label.
Antifreeze is a mix of propylene glycol and water, and freeze rating is determined by how much propylene glycol there in the antifreeze. That -100°F rating is the same chemical as the -50°F, except it has a higher ratio of propylene glycol to water.
The key difference between auto antifreeze and marine antifreeze is its toxicity. Marine antifreeze is designed for use in boat engines and it is much less harmful if it leaks into the water during drainage. Many marine antifreeze products also include rust and corrosion inhibitors that can prolong the life of your engine. Though some sailors claim to use auto antifreeze for winterizing their boat engine, the responsible choice is non-toxic marine antifreeze. There is very little difference in price but the environmental effects can be vastly different.
Auto antifreeze is toxic to plants, animals and the environment. In humans, ingestion damages the central nervous system, rapidly spreading to the heart and kidneys. It is fatal if left untreated. Unfortunately, the sweet taste makes it attractive to many animals and even small children. When it leaks into the water, it can also kill aquatic organisms, cause severe malformations and critically damage the local habitat. here
Once again, there is a big difference between auto antifreeze and RV antifreeze. RV antifreeze is designed to be pumped into the plumbing system of an RV and is therefore non-toxic, like marine antifreeze. In contrast, auto antifreeze is toxic and should not be used in your boat engine.
It is worth noting that some RV antifreeze products contain ethyl alcohol which can cause damage to PVC plumbing hoses. This is something to bear in mind when choosing RV antifreeze for use in your boat. more
When winterizing your boat, it is important to invest in the right antifreeze. There are some crucial differences between marine antifreeze and auto antifreeze that you need to be aware of before you begin – it’s worth an extra trip to the store!
Whilst marine antifreeze is far less toxic than auto antifreeze, it is not completely harmless and should never be drained directly into the water. Used antifreeze will often contain additional substances from your engine that can be harmful to the environment, including heavy metals. [links]
Bear in mind that sometimes the labels lie! An antifreeze labeled for - 50 degrees Fahrenheit can actually begin freezing at about - 5 degrees Fahrenheit. At - 50 degrees and below, you run a serious risk of your antifreeze being a solid block of ice, which can crack your engine blocks. here