Winterize Antifreeze

ROSARIO PUGLISI · Oct 10, 2022

Just curious what is everyone out there using to winterize there motors ? I’m in NY just seeing what everyone likes best . This is just to winterize the motor not the water system like sinks and toilets.. I happen to have access to this Antifreeze and was thinking could it be used ?? Or your opinion

GypsmJim · Oct 10, 2022

-50 Propylene glycol. There are 2 versions. One is for potable water systems. The second, and more expensive one, is for potable water systems AND engines.

That's what I use. My boat is stored indoors. If I stored outdoors I would buy the -100 degree variety.

I'm in NY as well. Optionally, you could use automotive ethylene glycol (like Prestone) but you would have to drain it in the Spring so it didn't enter the waterway.

HP12Sea · Oct 10, 2022

NY - https://www.westmarine.com/west-marine--100f-engine-water-system-antifreeze-gallon-363798.html

markrsimon · Oct 10, 2022

Is there any real world data behind which flavor (-50, -60, or -100) you actually need? From what the jug says, that rating is for burst protection on copper pipes (like in your home). I would not expect to see anywhere close to -50 in most regions, let alone -100. Perhaps some buy the -100 for peace of mind and count on some dilution with remaining water in the block?

Link above for -100 says:

Meets industry standard for burst protection in copper pipes to -100°F (-73°C)

Lazy Daze · Oct 10, 2022

ROSARIO PUGLISI said:
Just curious what is everyone out there using to winterize there motors ? I’m in NY just seeing what everyone likes best . This is just to winterize the motor not the water system like sinks and toilets.. I happen to have access to this Antifreeze and was thinking could it be used ?? Or your opinion

Yes, that will do fine. It's the RV antifreeze that has ethanol in it that is no good for the engine. FYI, what you have can be used in the fresh water system, too.

paulswagelock · Oct 11, 2022

markrsimon said:
Is there any real world data behind which flavor (-50, -60, or -100) you actually need? From what the jug says, that rating is for burst protection on copper pipes (like in your home). I would not expect to see anywhere close to -50 in most regions, let alone -100. Perhaps some buy the -100 for peace of mind and count on some dilution with remaining water in the block?

Link above for -100 says:

Meets industry standard for burst protection in copper pipes to -100°F (-73°C)

If newer, your motor will have some plastic bits in the water path. -50 can crack those at a temperature you might experience in the northeast US or Canada.
So -50 is probably ok, but not for sure.

GypsmJim · Oct 11, 2022

What you need to know is that all this stuff freezes, it just doesn't expand until it gets to the rated temp.

Note the link above for $21. OMG. I haven't bought any of this stuff in 3 years since i sold my I/O. Gotta love the not needed winterizing of a 4-stroke OB. But I digress.

3 years ago is cost about 6 bucks. Thank you politicians. 8% inflation, yeah right.

highslice · Oct 12, 2022

I use the pink PG from Walmart. Price has doubled, thanks Joe. But I have closed cooling, so worst case I have to replace the heat exchanger. It survived -15 in January, so no worries for me. The capacity of the raw water side is 6 gallons. I put 7 gallons through on muffs every year. I don't see pink come out of the exhaust after 5-6 gallons has gone in. 14 years and that method hasn't failed me once. I had my mechanic replace the coolant on the "fresh water" side this year cause if that fails I want it covered on his insurance rather than my dime.

Risingson · Oct 13, 2022

highslice said:
I use the pink PG from Walmart. Price has doubled, thanks Joe. But I have closed cooling, so worst case I have to replace the heat exchanger. It survived -15 in January, so no worries for me. The capacity of the raw water side is 6 gallons. I put 7 gallons through on muffs every year. I don't see pink come out of the exhaust after 5-6 gallons has gone in. 14 years and that method hasn't failed me once. I had my mechanic replace the coolant on the "fresh water" side this year cause if that fails I want it covered on his insurance rather than my dime.

Risingson · Oct 13, 2022

Can you use regular car antifreeze Like Prestone antifreeze to Winterize
A Diesel engine?

Lazy Daze · Oct 13, 2022

Risingson said:
Can you use regular car antifreeze Like Prestone antifreeze to Winterize
A Diesel engine?

Sure. But then you have to collect it and dispose of it properly in the Spring. Or collect and reuse next year. The propylene glyco is non-tox so you just start the engine and go.

HP12Sea · Oct 13, 2022

Risingson said:
Can you use regular car antifreeze Like Prestone antifreeze to Winterize
A Diesel engine?

I wouldn’t. Taking from another thread, Preston’s waterline AF -100 $7 gallon MSDS sheet shows it contains Ethanol.

mrsrobinson · Oct 13, 2022

I will use this in my CAT 3126s: https://www.homedepot.com/p/PRIME-G...cerin-Free-50-F-RV-Antifreeze-95006/314176974

I bought the last 5 gallons Home Depot had, $2 less than West Marine, and they dropped it off at my front door.

So now I need to find 8 more gallons..why am I sooo cheap?

Has anyone found it for less, shipped, anywhere else?

Lazy Daze · Oct 13, 2022

HP12Sea said:
I wouldn’t. Taking from another thread, Preston’s waterline AF -100 $7 gallon MSDS sheet shows it contains Ethanol.

It sounds like that's still "RV" antifreeze - not "regular" antifreeze. Regular antifreeze is ethylene glycol.

Risingson · Oct 13, 2022

mrsrobinson said:
I will use this in my CAT 3126s: https://www.homedepot.com/p/PRIME-G...cerin-Free-50-F-RV-Antifreeze-95006/314176974

I bought the last 5 gallons HD had, $2 less than West Marine, and they dropped it off at my front door.

So now I need to find 8 more gallons..why am I sooo cheap?

Has anyone found it for less, shipped, anywhere else?

This is for water systems and you use it in your engines?

highslice · Oct 13, 2022

Risingson said:
This is for water systems and you use it in your engines?

Can't speak for the Mrs. and I don't have a diesel, but since my engine is closed cooling, all I have is a water system. Just some long hoses with a heat exchanger.

mrsrobinson · Oct 13, 2022

Risingson said:
This is for water systems and you use it in your engines?

It has propylene glycol, thus I will use it on the raw water side of my engines. Someone please correct me if I got the wrong stuff for the raw water side of the engines.

GypsmJim · Oct 13, 2022

mrsrobinson said:
It has propylene glycol, thus I will use it on the raw water side of my engines. Someone please correct me if I got the wrong stuff for the raw water side of the engines.

It is for drinking water and your toilet, NOT any part of the engine.

mrsrobinson · Oct 13, 2022

What am I missing, I was informed by those in the know I should use propylene glycol in the diesel engines raw water side, the link above to West Marine has the same in it.

It has the same ingredients as the West Marine -50 one, I'm guessing just a different label same manufacturer.

Lazy Daze · Oct 13, 2022

Greg, as long as it's PG with corrosion inhibitors (no ethanol) it's safe for the engine (storage only, not "running" the engine) AND water systems. That looks like a VERY good price - comparing to this year's prices, anways.

Winterize Antifreeze

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