Best source for raw water system antifreeze?

I paid $108.04 total for 16 bottles of StarBrite -50 pink engine stuff from Walmart, delivered to my front door the next day.
 
Just bought freshwater system antifreeze from WM for $3.98 a gallon. Like mentioned above, I was informed that I should use proper marine engine antifreeze for the engine because it has anticorrosion additives. The engine antifreeze runs $13 a gallon at my favorite local marine supply store but it's also effective at lower temps than the pink stuff. It only takes about three gallons on a 260 Merc so I don't mind the price difference but I guess for you folks with twins, it makes a bit of difference if you're a penny pincher.
 
Cheap Guy said:
Just bought freshwater system antifreeze from WM for $3.98 a gallon. Like mentioned above, I was informed that I should use proper marine engine antifreeze for the engine because it has anticorrosion additives. The engine antifreeze runs $13 a gallon at my favorite local marine supply store but it's also effective at lower temps than the pink stuff. It only takes about three gallons on a 260 Merc so I don't mind the price difference but I guess for you folks with twins, it makes a bit of difference if you're a penny pincher.
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Why would you spend $13 a gallon, even if it's just 3 gallons, when Walmart has it for $6? That's what I bought referenced above, for the engines.
 
mrsrobinson said:
Why would you spend $13 a gallon, even if it's just 3 gallons, when Walmart has it for $6? That's what I bought referenced above, for the engines.
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Mainly because I didn't see it on the shelf and wasn't sure about the Walmart product for the engine but I trust the local marine guys. I'd rather give them my business on the product they gave me advice on.
 
It's not a Walmart product, as in their product. It's the same stuff West Marine sells.
 
mrsrobinson said:
It's not a Walmart product, as in their product. It's the same stuff West Marine sells.
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Jeepers,

The guy is in a northern climate and many of up here use antifreeze rated lower than -50 in our engines for storage.

He did say the advice he got was “it's also effective at lower temps than the pink stuff.”
 
And the trolls return...


I'm not questioning what he's buying, I'm questioning why he's paying more for it then he needs to. Especially since he was already there to buy antifreeze for the fresh water system. I'm trying to help the guy, perhaps he was misled by somebody, that's all. And maybe even help the next guy who's reading this thread and thinks he has to spend $13 a gallon for engine antifreeze. I put 7 gallons each in both of my engines, two to three in the generator, that would be a ridiculous price to pay.

This was all confusing to me as well the first time I did it. I'm only suggesting he may have been misled. I have never paid $13 a gallon for engine antifreeze, maybe a couple dollars more a gallon than the fresh water system antifreeze. And his username is cheap guy, so I assumed he's trying to save some money, so I was trying to help him.
 
mrsrobinson said:
And the trolls return...


I'm not questioning what he's buying, I'm questioning why he's paying more for it then he needs to. Especially since he was already there to buy antifreeze for the fresh water system. I'm trying to help the guy, perhaps he was misled by somebody, that's all. And maybe even help the next guy who's reading this thread and thinks he has to spend $13 a gallon for engine antifreeze. I put 7 gallons each in both of my engines, two to three in the generator, that would be a ridiculous price to pay.

This was all confusing to me as well the first time I did it. I'm only suggesting he may have been misled. I have never paid $13 a gallon for engine antifreeze, maybe a couple dollars more a gallon than the fresh water system antifreeze. And his username is cheap guy, so I assumed he's trying to save some money, so I was trying to help him.
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You don't know what he bought, but questioning that he paid too much. What if he got a gallon of -100 for $13?
 
If I read Cheap Guy's response correctly, I think he mentioned that Walmart didn't have it at the time - but also that he likes buying from local places to support small businesses.

EDIT: Just to be clear... Mrs. Robinson, I'm not in any way discounting the sentiment behind why you were offering that advice :)
 
Sgrochow said:
You don't know what he bought, but questioning that he paid too much. What if he got a gallon of -100 for $13?
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I'm not going to debate the usual trolling suspects here, just offering an opinion based on 20 years of doing this. I'm not the expert though. Simply trying to save someone money who suggests they want to save money.

And you are correct, I don't know what he bought specifically for his engine, I only know what he shared here with us. Based on what he shared with us, I offered an opinion. If he wants to share more details, perhaps my opinion will change.

@Lazy Daze I read "favorite local marine supply store " as another big box store company, not Bobs' Boat Store. But again, I could be wrong.

"I was informed that I should use proper marine engine antifreeze for the engine because it has anticorrosion additives." Yes, it does, but that's not the only reason to use it. I giggle when someone lets their boat sit, in warm weather, for 2, 3+ months, no use, yet they go all big on 2-3 months of winterization antifreeze in the winter, for anti-corrosion. Why was anti-corrosion not important in the non-winter months?

"The engine antifreeze runs $13 a gallon...but it's also effective at lower temps than the pink stuff." -50 is -50, -100 is -100, if both are -50, it's -50. "Engine" antifreeze rated at -50 is no better, IMO, then Fresh Water System antifreeze rated at -50. Someone please correct me if I am wrong. If the label says it's good to -50, well, it's good to -50.
 
mrsrobinson said:
@Lazy Daze I read "favorite local marine supply store " as another big box store company, not Bobs' Boat Store. But again, I could be wrong.
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Good point. I obviously read it as "Bob's" place since he used the word "marine" and also mentioned the good advice he gets there... I doubt Lowe's offers much good marine advice :)

I think he may be referencing (regarding his "pink" comment) that he bought a different color - which is likely the -100* stuff. But that's also just a guess.
 
Could save a little bit and buy a small compressor from HF to blow out your fresh water system.

Been doing this that last 2 years and it's been great. I spent less money on a small compressor then 4 gal of antifreeze during the days of supply chain issues.
 
Little Ducky said:
Could save a little bit and buy a small compressor from HF to blow out your fresh water system.

Been doing this that last 2 years and it's been great. I spent less money on a small compressor then 4 gal of antifreeze during the supply chain issues.
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Same, and No antifreeze smells and such to get rid of in the spring.
 
mrsrobinson said:
Same, and No antifreeze smells and such to get rid of in the spring.
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I thought the same. The hot water tank did not develop that sulfur smell as before. I still use a bit of pink in the toilet, drains and sump box.

I'm fortunate enough to be able to boat all year long so I just heat the engine area.
 
Lazy Daze said:
Good point. I obviously read it as "Bob's" place since he used the word "marine" and also mentioned the good advice he gets there... I doubt Lowe's offers much good marine advice :)

I think he may be referencing (regarding his "pink" comment) that he bought a different color - which is likely the -100* stuff. But that's also just a guess.
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Here‘s the deal. As you said, I prefer to go to my local marine store - Mike‘s Marine - because the guys there give really good advice and it’s just the right thing to do IMO to patronize these local shops if they’re helping me out rather than taking up their time and running off somewhere else to save a few bucks. I’m not a Walmart hater and I’m always looking to save but at best, the Walmart stuff, if they had it in stock, would have saved me maybe $20 or so, and Mike‘s Marine advice about using -100 because of the added corrosion protects was advice worth the $20. They were also right on the amount I’d need - 3 to 4 gallons - plus other tips like the right amount of stern drive lube.
 
mrsrobinson said:
I'm not going to debate the usual trolling suspects here, just offering an opinion based on 20 years of doing this. I'm not the expert though. Simply trying to save someone money who suggests they want to save money.

And you are correct, I don't know what he bought specifically for his engine, I only know what he shared here with us. Based on what he shared with us, I offered an opinion. If he wants to share more details, perhaps my opinion will change.

@Lazy Daze I read "favorite local marine supply store " as another big box store company, not Bobs' Boat Store. But again, I could be wrong.

"I was informed that I should use proper marine engine antifreeze for the engine because it has anticorrosion additives." Yes, it does, but that's not the only reason to use it. I giggle when someone lets their boat sit, in warm weather, for 2, 3+ months, no use, yet they go all big on 2-3 months of winterization antifreeze in the winter, for anti-corrosion. Why was anti-corrosion not important in the non-winter months?

"The engine antifreeze runs $13 a gallon...but it's also effective at lower temps than the pink stuff." -50 is -50, -100 is -100, if both are -50, it's -50. "Engine" antifreeze rated at -50 is no better, IMO, then Fresh Water System antifreeze rated at -50. Someone please correct me if I am wrong. If the label says it's good to -50, well, it's good to -50.
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I to just ordered my walmart antifreeze and will be delivered to house today. Dont need for a couple of weeks.
-50 will burst PVC pipe at -10F. apparently this stuff starts to "slush up" around -10f and starts to expand. regards disposable antifreeze for eng I have been told the alcohol based(cheaper stuff) product will possibly damage rubber hoses thus always non alcohol product for anything with rubber hose.
 
Little Ducky said:
Could save a little bit and buy a small compressor from HF to blow out your fresh water system.

Been doing this that last 2 years and it's been great. I spent less money on a small compressor then 4 gal of antifreeze during the days of supply chain issues.
Click to expand...
Agree with you on blowing out. I only use on the fresh water system, wife hates the taste of water in spring if we use antifreeze in fresh water system. Probably could blow out AC water to but risk reward comes down on using pink stuff for ac.I have probably used compressed air for over 10 years.
 
Cheap Guy said:
Here‘s the deal. As you said, I prefer to go to my local marine store - Mike‘s Marine - because the guys there give really good advice and it’s just the right thing to do IMO to patronize these local shops if they’re helping me out rather than taking up their time and running off somewhere else to save a few bucks. I’m not a Walmart hater and I’m always looking to save but at best, the Walmart stuff, if they had it in stock, would have saved me maybe $20 or so, and Mike‘s Marine advice about using -100 because of the added corrosion protects was advice worth the $20. They were also right on the amount I’d need - 3 to 4 gallons - plus other tips like the right amount of stern drive lube.
Click to expand...
Agreed
 
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