Pink Antifreeze

[rcknecht]

Just found the pink stuff at the local Ace here for $2.99 a gallon with a $2.00 mail in rebate.

Final cost - $1.99 a gallon

Thanks, I need some more, I will check out ACE...

 

[Lazy Daze]

Just found the pink stuff at the local Ace here for $2.99 a gallon with a $2.00 mail in rebate.

Final cost - $1.99 a gallon

Remember, not all "pink" is the same.

But, ummmm... can you explain your math? Or is that "new" math?:smt001

 

[douglee25]

Just found the pink stuff at the local Ace here for $2.99 a gallon with a $2.00 mail in rebate.

Final cost - $1.99 a gallon

Arctic Ban from Ace Hardware is largely ethanol based although I do believe it is a blend of ethanol/propylene glycol like Super Tech from Walmart.

Doug

 

[LetsRock]

Found it here for $3.99 A GAL. I never bought anything from this place but it may be worth a look, they offer free shipping on online orders.
And I think you would rather drink a gallon of this stuff rather than hooking up with a Tunnel Bunny.:smt043
http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/50-Below-RV-Antifreeze-Gallon/57726/&?&affiliateid=3272

dicor,

I just went here to purchase the pink stuff and they are charging $7/bottle to ship. Thats $56 for the 8 i need. I called the customer service line and she tried to place an order in the system and she said unfortunately that is correct. You didnt pay $7 each to ship did you?

 

[alwhite00]

I just picked up 4 more gallons (Peak brand) at Menards for $2.79/Gal - Has a $1.50 rebate on each jug - Total $1.29/Ga.

LK

 

[Lazy Daze]

I just picked up 4 more gallons (Peak brand) at Menards for $2.79/Gal - Has a $1.50 rebate on each jug - Total $1.29/Ga.

LK

Is this the propylene glycol stuff? That's a great price, if it is.

 

[MonacoMike]

Is this the correct label?

Here are the specs: http://www.peakauto.com/pdf/msds-peak_rv_marine.pdf

http://www.peakauto.com/antifreeze-peak-rv_marine.shtml

MM

 

[Jay Bird]

Is this the correct label?

Here are the specs: http://www.peakauto.com/pdf/msds-peak_rv_marine.pdf

http://www.peakauto.com/antifreeze-peak-rv_marine.shtml

MM

I just went to my local Menards to get some of this stuff and the ingredient label reads Ethyl alcohol or propylene glycol.
The label does say safe for all metals but seems contrary to what Dennis has advised regarding the use of ethanol based products.

Could you give me an opinion on this Dennis? I am having a hard time finding RV antifreeze that does not have eythl alcohol listed in the ingredients. And from what I've read ethyl alcohol = ethanol.

 

[Great lakes pirate]

I just went to my local Menards to get some of this stuff and the ingredient label reads Ethyl alcohol or propylene glycol.
The label does say safe for all metals but seems contrary to what Dennis has advised regarding the use of ethanol based products.

Could you give me an opinion on this Dennis? I am having a hard time finding RV antifreeze that does not have eythl alcohol listed in the ingredients. And from what I've read ethyl alcohol = ethanol.

I used this stuff (peak) to do my AC and water system. I used non alcohol AF purchased from west marine in my engine, head and generator.

 

[wish2fish]

do you have meijer stores in Missouri? Mine has alcohol free AF.

 

[rondds]

I used this stuff (peak) to do my AC and water system. I used non alcohol AF purchased from west marine in my engine, head and generator.

That's probably a good way to compromise. Just remember that if you have closed cooling, the reaction with metals is not as much of an issue since the pink really only hits the elbows/risers. Never touches the block or manifolds. I does, however, go through the heat exchanger and any fluid coolers you may have (ATF, crankcase oil).

 

[Cincy Aquaholic]

For those go to ACE hardware, beware they were selling only the ethanol kind which specifically says on the label not to use in boat engines or radiators for $2.99.

 

[Dave 205]

I checked Wal-Mart on the way to my dealer, everything there, including Peak, was at least part ethyl glycol, and actually marked "not for engines." My dealer carries Mercury branded Propylene Glycol, $5.99 for -50, and $12.99 for -100. I took the -50 for a net of $5.10 with my 15% boat buyer discount.

Dennis' advice to use Propylene Glycol only in the engine is exactly what my Mercruiser manual says as well.

 

[Someday Lady II]

[h=3]Do I need to put antifreeze into the raw-water/seawater section of the cooling system after draining?[/h]MerCruiser requires the use of propylene glycol antifreeze (with a rust inhibitor for marine engines) in the seawater section of the cooling system. Damage caused by freezing or improper winterization is not covered by the limited factory warranty.
Back to Top
[h=3]Can I use propylene glycol (RV antifreeze) in my engine?[/h]Propylene glycol antifreeze with a rust inhibitor is approved for use in the raw water cooling system for cold weather storage purposes ONLY. However, if your engine is equipped with a closed cooling system, you should always use a 50/50 mixture of ethylene glycol antifreeze and water in this system. Even if you don't live in a freezing climate, you should still use an antifreeze/water mixture rather than plain water. Antifreeze mixtures have superior anti-corrosion and boil over protection properties.



I take all this to mean that an RV antifreeze that is meant to be used in both metal and plastic pipes is bound to have some type of rust inhibitor. I may be wrong.

I also take this to mean that the prohibition on use in an engine is for its use in a closed system which, naturally, requires ethylene glycol and not for use as an anti-burst winterization additive. Again, I may be wrong.

 

[rondds]

I always look for "rust inhibitors" on the label. I bought the Peak stuff from Walmart this year and it did say "for use in engines" despite being a combo of proplyene glycol and ethyl alcohol. I sometimes wonder if the labels are correct. OSD9 told me he checked at another walmart and the same PEAK stuff said nothing about "for use in engines." Go figure.

 

[Someday Lady II]

Subject: RV Antifreeze
Propylene glycol (PG) antifreeze comes in two types, motor vehicle and RV. These antifreezes are intended for completely different end uses. This paper will discuss the applications and differences between these antifreezes.
RV antifreeze also known as RV/Marine antifreeze is intended to protect both drinking and waste water systems in recreational vehicles and seasonal homes. It is also used to winterize marine engines which prevents them from bursting while in storage for the winter. Although While -50°F RV/Marine antifreeze will start to freeze at about 10°F it will not burst until -50°F. This is known as burst protection. Burst protection to -50°F is achieved with less than a 35% PG solution. For this reason most RV antifreezes come pre-diluted with as much as 65% water.
RV/Marine antifreeze is also intended to protect drinking water systems from rusting. Drinking water systems are composed mainly of steel piping. Because of the contact with drinking water pipes, a non toxic corrosion inhibitor such as Di-Potassium Phosphate is used in fact it is the only corrosion inhibitor found in most RV/Marine antifreeze. Also, since RV/Marine antifreeze is intended to be flushed out seasonally, the corrosion inhibitors are not designed for long-term protection.
RV/Marine antifreeze is not formulated for use in automotive and light/heavy duty vehicles. In these applications, a coolant specifically formulated to protect engines and cooling systems against rust, corrosion and freeze/boil over protection should be used. Motor vehicle antifreeze is intended to protect the cooling system in a car or truck from corrosion for a period of 2-3 years. As a result, the corrosion inhibitors are much more expensive.

The above text is from the PEAK web site

 

[MonacoMike]

The longer this thread and other winterizing threads continue I am reaching the conclusion that I'm glad I have reasonably priced, highly skilled service people to do it right and they will ONLY do it with the good stuff. I'm all about saving money, I know some have "gotten by" with cheaper, but were talking minimum ammounts of money for expensive risk. MM

 

[douglee25]

I actually think that blurb is misleading/incorrect.

There are actually 3 different types of antifreeze on the market....

1. Automotive - Ethylene Glycol - Typically the 'green stuff' (or other variant) that most are familiar with. This type of antifreeze is used manily in automotive applications as a coolant/antifreeze medium.

2. RV/Marine - Propylene Glycol - Typically pink in color with a sub 30% concentration of propylene glycol. This antifreeze can be used in fresh water, waste water, and engine freeze protection cases.

3. RV/Marine - Ethanol Based - Typically pink in color with little to no propylene glycol in solution. This antifreeze can be used in fresh water systems only. This product should not be used in waste water and engine freeze protection areas.


Some further information... I called up Supertech, Walmart's manufacturer to talk about their 'new' ethanol based antifreeze. They stated that most distributors are pushing manufacturers towards the ethanol based antifreeze vs. the propylene glycol antifreeze because of their environmentally friendliness. He stated that while propylene glycol is environmentally friendly, it takes upwards of 2-3 yeards for the chemical to break down into it's organic counterparts. Ethanol based antifreeze on the other hand takes 2-3 days. So the tree huggers are all over this stuff. Another tidbit... ethanol based antifreeze is much much more expensive than PG antifreeze to manufacture, yet the end cost to the consumer is reversed. The propylene glycol is more expensive than the ethanol. This is due to the smaller distribution network and limited/seasonal used of propylene glycol.

Doug

 

[MonacoMike]

I actually think that blurb is misleading/incorrect.

There are actually 3 different types of antifreeze on the market....

1. Automotive - Ethylene Glycol - Typically the 'green stuff' (or other variant) that most are familiar with. This type of antifreeze is used manily in automotive applications as a coolant/antifreeze medium.

2. RV/Marine - Propylene Glycol - Typically pink in color with a sub 30% concentration of propylene glycol. This antifreeze can be used in fresh water, waste water, and engine freeze protection cases.

3. RV/Marine - Ethanol Based - Typically pink in color with little to no propylene glycol in solution. This antifreeze can be used in fresh water systems only. This product should not be used in waste water and engine freeze protection areas.


Some further information... I called up Supertech, Walmart's manufacturer to talk about their 'new' ethanol based antifreeze. They stated that most distributors are pushing manufacturers towards the ethanol based antifreeze vs. the propylene glycol antifreeze because of their environmentally friendliness. He stated that while propylene glycol is environmentally friendly, it takes upwards of 2-3 yeards for the chemical to break down into it's organic counterparts. Ethanol based antifreeze on the other hand takes 2-3 days. So the tree huggers are all over this stuff. Another tidbit... ethanol based antifreeze is much much more expensive than PG antifreeze to manufacture, yet the end cost to the consumer is reversed. The propylene glycol is more expensive than the ethanol. This is due to the smaller distribution network and limited/seasonal used of propylene glycol.

Doug

Doug, Nice work! MM

I am SOO sick of feel good enviros messing with things they have NO business doing!!!

 

[ch435]

I went to Menards, and noticed they sell two brands. One is the Peak brand that has been mentioned, and they have another one they sell for $2.68 right now that is the proplyene glycol version, and contains corrosion protection.