Oops. Did I use the wrong pink antifreeze?

N

norman

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The boat is winterized and tucked away. Today I realized I may have accidentaly used the pink plumbing antifreeze in the engine. It's good to -50 but there is a warning on the label...DO NOT USE IN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES. CONTAINS ETHANOL.

So, now what? Should I just leave it for now and in the spring drain the blocks of the antifreeze before startng it up or take it out of storage...drain and refill with the "other" pink antifreeze?

Thanks.

Norm
 
I'd drain it out and not worry about backfilling at all.
 
Personally I think you'll be fine, when we winterized our engines, before having the marina do it, it was all I used. You are talking about RV antifreeze correct?
 
I used pink RV antifreeze last year but it didn't have ethanol, at least it didn't say that it had it.

I had no problems even though temps up here got to negative 30's as they always do in MN, but I've since heard so much about using antifreeze rated to -100 that I just flushed through with the antifreeze and then came back and just drained that out too! At least I know if some liquid is still in, it's antifreeze instead of water.

Our marina, if you pay them to winterize your boat, they just drains the engines, they don't backfill.
 
Kastlercreative I'm talking about plain Plumbing Antifreeze. That's all the oontainer says. I was using it to winterize the water system and I think I used that container accidentaly when I backfilled the engine.

The more I think about it though the more I think the warning is meant for anyone who is thinking of using that type of antifreeze in their automobile radiator as a coolant. In that application I doubt plumbing antifreeze could stand the heat produced by an engine...especially containg ethanol. I think for storage I should be okay.
 
quote:
Originally posted by norman

Today I realized I may have accidentaly used the pink plumbing antifreeze in the engine. It's good to -50 but there is a warning on the label...DO NOT USE IN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES. CONTAINS ETHANOL.

Click to expand...
My understanding is that there are two types of antifreeze for boats.
For marine engine cooling systems, you generally want to use propylene glycol, which is non-toxic.

Automotive anti-freeze is a different chemistry, ethylene glycol, and is toxic to natural waterways.

There is a less expensive plumbing anti-freeze type, which uses (or is mostly) ethanol (alcohol).

Ethanol is flammable, and sometimes can have negative effects on seals and other rubber components, if the system was not intended to have ethanol in it. Having a flammable liquid in your cooling system is something to keep in mind!

Don't go by the color of the liquid, or even the big writing on the front label, always read the details part of the label, and check what chemistry you are using, and what you are using it for.
 
It does not matter whether its a marine or an auto product, its what its going to be used for. Is it for a winterizing anti-freeze or a coolant for a closed cooling system. If its a closed cooling system then any auto antifreeze is fine as it will not get dumped into the waterways. If its for winterizing, then you need something that is non toxic and that will prevent rust or corrosion, but it does not have to work as a coolant. The pink stuff is good for the fresh water system, but does not prevent corrosion for all metals so not so good for engines.

But given its the middle of the winter, I would leave the pink stuff in, it will not hurt anything but is not the best for anti-corrosion protection.
 
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