Pink or blue

[boatdoc100]

My boat was winterized at the factory and shipped to northern Michigan (lower peninsula). It was pink. As others have said, this stuff can turn to slush probably somewhere south of zero degrees F, but slush does no damage. It's the hard freeze you need to worry about.

You are correct, I'm here in Ohio so we have the same weather. Be sure the pink you are looking at is the -100 is all I am saying. The -50 pink for plumbing systems just won't cut it.

 

[FYN409]

I was my understanding that you should not even turn the engine over without the muffs on as it could burn up the impellers. Is this not true? I usually put the muffs on even when just starting up the engine to make sure the batteries are ready for the lake. Am I going overboard? (well not literally, figuratively) :grin:

-Ryan

For all gm engines 8 cyl.; Remove 2 block drain plugs, remove 2 manifold drain plugs, remove large hose from recirc. pump to thermostat houing, remove seawater intake hose. Start engine and rev 3 times, shut off. Reinstall 4 drain plugs. Pour 2 gallons BLUE antifreeze into large hose and reinstall. Start engine and Pour 2 gallons through intake and reinstall. When last gallon is almost in intake pour 10 oz's Rislone oil treatment directly into carb. or plenum intake. The engine is winterized and fogged in less time than it takes to gather all the 5 gallon buckets etc.
rad
Pflieger Marine Services

 

[boatdoc100]

That is completely false. The engine can run for a VERY short time and not hurt the impellers. Not more that 15 to 20 seconds.

 

[boatdoc100]

Boatdoc100,
Please go into a bit more detail. Many of us here in the Northeast have been using the -50 "pink" stuff for years without incident. They sell it at almost all of the marinas and it is what most marinas use for winterization (and they would be on the hook I would assume if something failed due to their winterization.) I don't understand what could go wrong assuming the temperature doesn't go much below zero or there abouts. Believe me, I am not trying to be a smart A** (for you Wesley) but please help me understand. Thanks.

Well here in northern Ohio we get to 15 to 20 bellow sometimes. NOBODY uses RV antifreeze because as we all know you cannot get all the water out. The dilution factor is not worth the risk. As I said I ran the RV across my refractometer with a solution of 1 gallon rv and 1 qt water and it was only good to 5 above zero. I can't speek for what the marinas use out there but here all they use is -100. I personly use -200. I cut -200 2 gallons with 3 gallons of water and get good to -40. Besides alot of the RV antifreeze is alcohol based which is flammable and none of the RV has any rust inhibiters etc. in it.
Brad

 

[boatdoc100]

All I'm saying to you guys is you are inadvertantly taking a large gamble. One real bad cold snap cause huge problems for you. I joined your forum to try and help, not trying to cause any strife. The dollar or 2 more for the blue is cheap insurance. See the post I put up earlier in this thread for how to cut your winterizing time and material cost in half.
Brad

 

[FYN409]

Does anyone know of a good supplier of the blue stuff. Here in west michigan all I see is the pink stuff. I have not asked about the blue yet (just learned about it, previously only knew of the pink). I was at boaters world a few weeks ago and they had a ton of pink, but did not see blue.

Also, Brad I for one appricate the advice you have given. Thanks!

-Ryan

 

[boatdoc100]

Does anyone know of a good supplier of the blue stuff. Here in west michigan all I see is the pink stuff. I have not asked about the blue yet (just learned about it, previously only knew of the pink). I was at boaters world a few weeks ago and they had a ton of pink, but did not see blue.

Also, Brad I for one appricate the advice you have given. Thanks!

-Ryan

I am in Sandusky Ohio, is that too far from you. If so try West Marine. If you come up blank I could ship you 2 gallons of -200. This will do the 7.4 you have.

Brad

 

[wish2fish]

I also have been looking and haven't seen anything but the pink -50 stuff. I agree trying to save a few buck isn't worth the sweat. In the old boat I used regular antifreeze. I realize some of this stuff isn't safe for animals but isn't there some newer stuff that isn't as bad? Why Pink or Blue as opposed to regular antifreeze?

 

[boatdoc100]

Blue is Propalene glycol and is biodegradable. The EPA levies heavy fines on anyone caught starting an engine and seeing anything but blue come out the exhaust. They were in our boat yard last year and got a guy who winterized his own boat. I wont start a boat I didnt winterize because they arrest who starts it not who winterized it. The green antifreeze is ethalene glycol and highly toxic.
Brad
Pflieger Marine Services

 

[boatdoc100]

For you who want it and can't find it I would be willing to ship it. No I don't get rich on this stuff the mark up is a buck. 2 gallons of -200 will mix with 3 gallons of water. You only need 4 gallons per 8 cyl, 3 per 6 cyl and 1.5 for a 4 cyl. Sells for 9.98 a gallon.
Brad
Pflieger Marine Services

 

[BruZerII]

I use the -100 blue antifreeze. But I winterize a different way. I open the two pitcock valves on the block and manifold and then the plugs on the heat exchanger and the plug on the muffler. After all the water is out I put all the plugs back in and close the pitcock valves. For twin engines, I pour 10 gals. of the anitfreeze into a tub and place that tub by the output exhaust port. I then drop a sump pump into the antifreeze. I run a hose from the sump pump to the intake hose of the engine. I have an adapter that connects the two hoses. I then turn on the sump pump and ensure antifreeze has entered the intake hose. I turn on the engine and watch the antifreeze exit out the exhaust port back into the tub and get recirculated back into the engine. After the engine temperature has come up to temp, I then shoot fogging oil into the carburator until it kills the engine. Move the setup to the other side and repeat.

This is how the previous owner did it for years. This is how I did it last year and just finished the process on Mon. I pulled the boat out early because I will be out of town for the rest of the month.

Does anyone see a problemwith this procedure? I figured I have -100 antifreeze throughout the entire system.

 

[sydison]

Bruzer,

I have a 30 Sundacer that i have been doing myself for the last few years. I have always used the pink as everyone around me has. Im in Marblehead so our climate is the same. I have not had any issues. My method is similiar to yours.