Walmart non-toxic antifreeze

Bill,
I paid less than 5K for Old Skool but only use approved oils and such on her. It's not how much you pay but how much you care. I understand your point to be sure but if all you can afford is 5K then you need to take care even more.
 
OldSkool said:
Bill,
I paid less than 5K for Old Skool but only use approved oils and such on her. It's not how much you pay but how much you care. I understand your point to be sure but if all you can afford is 5K then you need to take care even more.
Click to expand...

I know Bill and I agree with you. The guy I was doing an online battle with when I made the comment had just bought a 1978 36 ft Bridge Boat for 5K. He was getting on me for paying professional mechanics (MM) to work on my boat. I basically told him I would rather pay someone up front to do to proper maintenance and repair then have to pay for a tow and a wasted weekend later.

I may be wrong, so if someone has found a cheap way to boat, then please let me know. I remember the old commercial “pay me now or pay me later”. Maybe I am throwing money away when I buy 3 gallons of Mercury Full Synthetic at 40 dollars a gallon every season for my oil changes, but then again I started throwing my money away when I bought a boat!
 
jason78 said:
Wow, I never expected this thread would reach 40 posts! Makes me wonder if the general attitude has changed regarding trying to save a few bucks by using a substitute for recommended products. A couple years ago a few people were all over me because I suggested someone spend $9 more on an oil change by using Quicksilver Oil over Auto Zone brand auto oil.
Click to expand...
Since I missed that thread, why should one buy the $30/gallon Mercruiser 25-40 over the $13/gallon Rotella-T if the boat is long past its warranty days (under warranty wouldn't want to give Mercruiser a reason to say the problem was my fault)? I never know whether something like this is a true improvement in material for the boat (does it have special detergents/additives that only Mercruiser can source), or its one of the unnecessary mark-up products to drive profit (like their IAC valves).
 
hack4alivin said:
I know Bill and I agree with you. The guy I was doing an online battle with when I made the comment had just bought a 1978 36 ft Bridge Boat for 5K. He was getting on me for paying professional mechanics (MM) to work on my boat. I basically told him I would rather pay someone up front to do to proper maintenance and repair then have to pay for a tow and a wasted weekend later.

I may be wrong, so if someone has found a cheap way to boat, then please let me know. I remember the old commercial “pay me now or pay me later”. Maybe I am throwing money away when I buy 3 gallons of Mercury Full Synthetic at 40 dollars a gallon every season for my oil changes, but then again I started throwing my money away when I bought a boat!
Click to expand...

Hey Bill, I totally agree with you on the maintenance. The right oil and coolants are way cheaper than replacing a failed component. Pay me now or pay me later is a very valid statement. I am a little jaded here as I can do all the work myself. I have the tools and the ability so sometimes I need to understand the challenges some folks have with second rate mechanics or cheap parts.

Anyone want to see how two oil filters can look the same and one be cheaper than other just needs to cut them open and look at the internal parts.

At any rate I always enjoy your comments.
 
ZZ13 said:
Since I missed that thread, why should one buy the $30/gallon Mercruiser 25-40 over the $13/gallon Rotella-T if the boat is long past its warranty days (under warranty wouldn't want to give Mercruiser a reason to say the problem was my fault)? I never know whether something like this is a true improvement in material for the boat (does it have special detergents/additives that only Mercruiser can source), or its one of the unnecessary mark-up products to drive profit (like their IAC valves).
Click to expand...

Rosella is a good automotive product. But, boat engines are not an automotive environment. Take my old PU as an example. Even on the highway it is turning over at 2200 2500 rpm. The 280 on the other hand doesn't even get on plane until 3400 and runs between 3600 and 4000 for most of the day.

In any event how many oil changes do you do a season? I only do one. So what do you really save, especially when you can buy the Merc/quicksilver oil at Wally World for just about the same as the auto brands?

Henry




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
Every fall, same thread. I can set my watch by it.



100_2774.jpg




100_2775.jpg
 
Chuck I think you are right. That being said not having to buy fuel for the boat this winter I don't mind spending a little more to keep everything ok .
 
In theory, Mercruiser designed these engines to be self draining, at least in the raw water side of a closed cooling system. For extra protection, most run this stuff (or it's more marinized pink cousins) through the exhaust systems. I have mufflers that hold raw water so antifreeze needs to accumulate in those. The stickling issue is that one of the alcohol components (I forget which) is prone to corrode engine parts, which is why some frown upon using this particular (Walmart) formulation.
 
Bare metal will rust/corrode - I'm sure that isn't news to anyone. If it wasn't stated somewhere above, I'm sure it was stated in the multitude of other winterizing threads that one of the reasons to use the Poly Glycol stuff is that it has corrosion inhibitors in it and it will also lubricate any seals it comes into contact with.

I've started up my fair share of engines after winterization (Spring time) or when a customer brings a boat in to be serviced or "checked" for trade/broker. I can't tell you how many times I've seen nasty, rusty water come out the exhaust after the engine sat with either just fresh water in it or dry. I've yet to see rusty AF exit the exhaust ports.
 
DO not use the Walmart water system antifreeze or similar product in your engines. Althought in theory it will not freeze, the issue is that it will not protect the seals or do much for the rust inhibiting protection. West Marine or other Marine dealers offer proper Antifreezes for engines that offer proper protection to those components in the engine. While some people I know still use the auto antifreeze, its not good to do for the inviroment.
 
West Marine Canada was/is selling the prop glycol -50 for $27 a case of 6.
 
DavHJ said:
OK ready for round two? All I said in my first post was that Walmart had non-toxic antifreeze for $2.97 a gallon that was it nothing else. I never told any body to use it in their engines or sugested that they do. I said that I've been using it with no issues and posted the ingreadience. I am in salt water and sometimes forget that a lot of you on this board are in fresh water (Sorry) and Yes I do know that the great lakes are fresh water even though I never said anything about the great lakes or fresh water.
Dave
Click to expand...

BTW, thanks for posting, I was looking for a deal on anti-freeze... I don't want to jump in this debate, just wanted to say Thank you for posting....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,122
Messages
1,426,615
Members
61,037
Latest member
wojozobl
Back
Top