Anti freeze question

[wayne0]

I'm sure there is an answer here somewhere, but I'll ask the question anyway.
There are 2 types of pink. Propylene Glycol and Propylene , ethyl alcohol blend. I've used the latter, cheaper stuff on my engines for years. Now I hear you should only use the Propylene Glycol for engines. Why is that and what do you guys use?
I do use the non-alcohol stuff in the head.

 

[BillK2632]

I have heard the same, so I just get the Prestone propylene glycol, it's only a $1 or so more a gallon and I just use 4gal. But honestly don't know why you should not use the ethyl alcohol blend.

 

[bbwhitejr]

I believe it is due to the rust inhibitors in the glycol blend that are not present in the alcohol. I also only buy the glycol and use it everywhere.

Bennett

 

[paulswagelock]

The cheaper alcohol based stuff does not have rust inhibitors, can react with rubber and plastic, and lastly is flammable.

 

[dpmulvey]

This may help. Discard the fact it's an Amsoil advert. I've no dog in that fight. The info is pretty good and consistent with what I've read elsewhere. I've been reading because my new gennie is down well below the low line. I honestly don't know if it was ever filled correctly to begin with. Anyhow, the engines are pink and the gennie is yellow. My auto Mech told me years ago, "Whatever you do with antifreeze, don't mix it. I'm no chemist, but I can tell you this ain't like your Daddy's Oldsmobile anymore!" It had something to do with a mixture of A and B turning to jello. Wasn't pretty.

Good luck.

Off to yet another doctor.

It sucks getting old, but certainly beats the alternative!!!!

 

[dutchman]

Many of the shops up here use the cheap RV antifreeze when winterizing.. It says right on the jug that it is meant for plastic, not for metal engine blocks. So I can't say what harm it will do, since these shops use it. I had a tough time finding any propylene glycol mix, and had to drive 1-1/2 hours away to find a shop that had it. Actually some shops didn't even know what I was asking about. The stuff I was using was a Merc product, meant for internal engine components with rust inhibitors. It was a couple bucks more than the RV stuff.

 

[bbwhitejr]

This may help. Discard the fact it's an Amsoil advert. I've no dog in that fight. The info is pretty good and consistent with what I've read elsewhere. I've been reading because my new gennie is down well below the low line. I honestly don't know if it was ever filled correctly to begin with. Anyhow, the engines are pink and the gennie is yellow. My auto Mech told me years ago, "Whatever you do with antifreeze, don't mix it. I'm no chemist, but I can tell you this ain't like your Daddy's Oldsmobile anymore!" It had something to do with a mixture of A and B turning to jello. Wasn't pretty.

Good luck.

Off to yet another doctor.

It sucks getting old, but certainly beats the alternative!!!!

David is talking about regular antifreeze that goes into a closed system like your gen, your car, or possibly your main engine if it has closed cooling. Never mix Dexcool(red/orange) with the green/yellow(Prestone for example). There will be a chemical reaction and it will form a jello-like mess and gum up everything. If you closed system has the red/orange, that is Dexcool-stick with it when adding. If it has the green/yellow variety, stick with it. I have even heard that it is not known if you can flush it enough to not have an issue when changing over from one to the other. My GM trucks all have the Dexcool as well as my gen.

The OP was asking about winterizing antifreeze I believe. Here again, the Glycol blend contains rust inhibitors and the alcohol does not. The alcohol blend is not recommended for other reasons listed as well.

 

[bbwhitejr]

Many of the shops up here use the cheap RV antifreeze when winterizing.. It says right on the jug that it is meant for plastic, not for metal engine blocks. So I can't say what harm it will do, since these shops use it. I had a tough time finding any propylene glycol mix, and had to drive 1-1/2 hours away to find a shop that had it. Actually some shops didn't even know what I was asking about. The stuff I was using was a Merc product, meant for internal engine components with rust inhibitors. It was a couple bucks more than the RV stuff.

WalMart here sells the Glycol blend made by Prestone for something less than $4/gal in the fall. I just use it for the freshwater system as well as the gen, AC, and engine.

Bennett