Walmart non-toxic antifreeze

D

DavHJ

Member
Jul 9, 2007
52
Rhode Island
Boat Info
1990 Express Cruiser
Engines
Twin 454"s with straight shafts.
Walmart has non-toxic -50 deg. antifreeze for $2.97 a gallon.
 
I use it to do the whole boat; water, air, head, shower sump, generator and the engines. I use 16 gallons and at Walmart prices that is a BIG savings ovet the marine stores.
Dave
 
DavHJ said:
I use it to do the whole boat; water, air, head, shower sump, generator and the engines. I use 16 gallons and at Walmart prices that is a BIG savings ovet the marine stores.
Dave
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If it's the propylene glycol stuff, yes - good savings (about $2/bottle). If it's the ethyl alcohol stuff (will cause corrosion on metal), it's pretty close in price to marine stores.
 
Lazy Daze said:
If it's the propylene glycol stuff, yes - good savings (about $2/bottle). If it's the ethyl alcohol stuff (will cause corrosion on metal), it's pretty close in price to marine stores.
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When I tried Walmart last year they only had the ethyl alcohol stuff. And I tried several stores. Ended up getting mine from a local RV store.
 
It is a certain irony to me in this annual search for "cheap" antifreeze. When I first bought my boat I looked around at reputable companies near me to determine; what did they use? These are the people that will have to pay to fix your boat if it freezes or corrodes and what did I find? Most in my area get their's from West Marine. I'm sure they could save a "few bucks" each on a fleet of boats and that could be serious cash, but they don't. There must be some reason...

As for the cost of antifreeze, are you guys kidding me? The West Marine mailer just came and it is slightly more than cost of a gallon of gas we burn in about a mile or so on the water. If Wal Mart GAVE me antifreeze I wouldn't use it as it would only cost $80 to get 16 gallons of the good stuff from WM.

OK, rant over...

MM
 
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DavHJ said:
I use it to do the whole boat; water, air, head, shower sump, generator and the engines. I use 16 gallons and at Walmart prices that is a BIG savings ovet the marine stores.
Dave
Click to expand...


Huh? I do the same but have one less big block and use on average three gallons. I also drain and by-pas the water heater which saves six gallons.

Henry
 
I just ordered 12 gallons from WM delivered to my house... $70

$9 rebate per case, no brain-er.
 
sfergson727 said:
Yup, no corrosion protection in the walmart cheap stuff....better to pay a little more and have the protection, I think.
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You guys are worried about corrosion protection; what about the salt water that sits in your raw water system for the better part of the week for 6 to 8 months out of the year. I think that does more damage than "Walmart cheep stuff". That is just my opinion. For what it is worth I got 9 years out of my last set of risers using "Walmart cheap stuff".
 
Same here on using the WalMart pink. No problems in the last 12 years. I only use 8 gal.
 
OK here is the scoop on the "Walmart Cheep stuff". The brand name is "Super Tech" and labeled as RV & Marine antifreeze. it has both Ethyl alcohol and Propylene Glycol, water, Di Potassium Phosphate, colorant and fragrance. then it says for potable water plumbing systems, is compatible with all metals plastic components except acetate, Provides corrosion Protection. So it is neither good or bad I guess.

My intention was not to get into a debate on antifreeze just a FYI on the Walmart cheep stuff. It seems that there is two camps on this some have issues and some don't it is just a matter of personal preference.

Dave
 
DavHJ said:
You guys are worried about corrosion protection; what about the salt water that sits in your raw water system for the better part of the week for 6 to 8 months out of the year. I think that does more damage than "Walmart cheep stuff". That is just my opinion. For what it is worth I got 9 years out of my last set of risers using "Walmart cheap stuff".
Click to expand...

Just because you were lucky once does not mean you are leading a charmed life.

My comments are not about changing your mind, as I couldn't care less what you do, but for newbies that may be reading this to know there is an issue that could affect warranties and the life of components. The cost is so minimal as to make this discussion laughable. You could probaly save more learning to use less of the good stuff. :thumbsup:

MM
 
MonacoMike said:
Just because you were lucky once does not mean you are leading a charmed life.

My comments are not about changing your mind, as I couldn't care less what you do, but for newbies that may be reading this to know there is an issue that could affect warranties and the life of components. The cost is so minimal as to make this discussion laughable. You could probaly save more learning to use less of the good stuff. :thumbsup:

MM
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Good stuff bad stuff a gallon is a gallon no mater how you look at it. And I stand corrected I just checked my records I only used 12 gallons not 16 like I first said.
Dave
P.S. I am leading a charmed life; I have a great wife, a great family, a great job so I think I've been lucky more than once I take offense on your comment I haven't attacked anyone's character or judged anyone for their opinions or facts that have been stated.
 
DavHJ said:
Good stuff bad stuff a gallon is a gallon no mater how you look at it. And I stand corrected I just checked my records I only used 12 gallons not 16 like I first said.
Dave
P.S. I am leading a charmed life; I have a great wife, a great family, a great job so I think I've been lucky more than once I take offense on your comment I haven't attacked anyone's character or judged anyone for their opinions or facts that have been stated.
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Sorry, no offence intended and it certainly was not personal, it is just an old axiom I have heard all my life, usually used when an ancedotal point is made. My risers etc. are 15 years old for what it is worth?

MM
 
DavHJ said:
Good stuff bad stuff a gallon is a gallon no mater how you look at it. And I stand corrected I just checked my records I only used 12 gallons not 16 like I first said.
Dave
P.S. I am leading a charmed life; I have a great wife, a great family, a great job so I think I've been lucky more than once I take offense on your comment I haven't attacked anyone's character or judged anyone for their opinions or facts that have been stated.
Click to expand...

I don't believe this was a personal attack, nor is there a reason to be offended. That is just an old saying just meaning that just because someone has been lucky once doesn't mean you will be forever. There is unquestionably a difference between the RV " cheap" stuff and marine grade anti freeze. You may use the non marine stuff forever and never have a problem. BUT, you might just as easily cause premature wear on your engines. There's no reason to ignore the facts.


Shaun
Sent from my iPhone
 
I think a point to be made here, and I do not have facts just a failing memory... Is that a few years ago all the pink stuff I bought was propylene glycol then it changed formulation to ethyl alcohol .

Anyway after this same discussion last year and spending too much time and money chasing all over looking for the "right" pink stuff at the best price, I said screw it and went to West Marine and bought the -100F stuff got the job done and slept good all winter long!!!
 
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