What type/kind of engine anti-freeze is every one using in your diesel engines? I am talking about operating engine anti-freeze, not storage winterization. Somewhere I read that Yanmar was recommending DEX_COOL made by Texaco which is a "extended life coolant"....ethylene glycol type
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Roy Mosteller
SEAFIT ANTIFREEZE
SEAFIT antifreeze purchased from West Marine is my choice. I use it because it is propylene glycol, which is nontoxic and biodegradable. My Yanmar mechanic says it is a good choice. I stay away from any ethylene glycol antifreeze because it is extremely poisonous to just about anything we call life and I do not want the hassle of disposing of used ethylene glycol nor the danger of handling and storing it. Incidentally, I flush the system and change antifreeze annually.
SEAFIT antifreeze purchased from West Marine is my choice. I use it because it is propylene glycol, which is nontoxic and biodegradable. My Yanmar mechanic says it is a good choice. I stay away from any ethylene glycol antifreeze because it is extremely poisonous to just about anything we call life and I do not want the hassle of disposing of used ethylene glycol nor the danger of handling and storing it. Incidentally, I flush the system and change antifreeze annually.
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Garrett Pensell
be careful of pink A/F
At a Yanmar seminar a few years ago, we were emphatically warned that pink A/F was not to be used in the closed circuit cooling system. They showed us a heat exchanger core that had been rotted through, apparently by a caustic solution created as the antifreeze broke down. This boat was less than three years old. I can confirm, however, that Yanmar is now recommending the Dex-cool phosphate free antifreeze (which has an orangish color). Although I am not certain, I believe that this is different from the pink stuff they were warning us about. You may want to call your closest Yanmar distributor to get the word "from the horse's mouth"
At a Yanmar seminar a few years ago, we were emphatically warned that pink A/F was not to be used in the closed circuit cooling system. They showed us a heat exchanger core that had been rotted through, apparently by a caustic solution created as the antifreeze broke down. This boat was less than three years old. I can confirm, however, that Yanmar is now recommending the Dex-cool phosphate free antifreeze (which has an orangish color). Although I am not certain, I believe that this is different from the pink stuff they were warning us about. You may want to call your closest Yanmar distributor to get the word "from the horse's mouth"
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Ed Schenck
Horse's mouth right here on HOW.
Did you post this to the "Diesel Engines" forum? Torresen may not see it here and they are the "horse's mouth".
Did you post this to the "Diesel Engines" forum? Torresen may not see it here and they are the "horse's mouth".
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Patrick Ewing
Antifreeze is NOT extremely poisonous
The following are quotes from scientific documents and are typical of what you will find in the scientific literature. RE: Environmental "Toxicity" Ethylene glycol and propylene glycol have about the same low degree of toxicity to aquatic life. Both substances are generally very benign. If one used the classification system of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, both ethylene glycol and propylene glycol would fall easily into the "relatively non-toxic" category. Both ethylene glycol and propylene glycol-based fluids degrade very quickly-although speed of degradation varies with the temperature. Generally, the cooler the temperature, the more slowly the substances degrade. During the degradation process, the microbes feeding on the glycol consume oxygen from the water. If the glycol is degrading quickly and a lot of oxygen is being consumed, there may not be enough oxygen left in the water for the other aquatic organisms to use. Because ethylene glycol is a smaller molecule than the propylene glycol molecule, less oxygen is required to degrade the ethylene glycol. This, too, is an advantage for ethylene glycol and ethylene glycol-based fluids. RE: Human "Toxicity" "The estimated lethal dose of ethylene glycol for an average size person is about 100 milliliters - or less than one-half cup. In lesser amounts, ethylene glycol is known to cause serious kidney damage and central nervous system depression." This is slightly more but approximately the same as ethanol. 100 proof scotch is a 50% mixture of ethanol and water. You would not be advised to drink a full cup in one gulp and two or three full cups might well have the same consequences as either glycol. "Neither ethylene glycol nor propylene glycol appears in the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) list of "hazardous substances" or "extremely hazardous substances." However, by virtue of its oral toxicity, ethylene glycol is classified as a "toxic chemical" under SARA, Title III, Section 313" (as are many other common substances such as ethanol etc.) "Propylene glycol exhibits low toxicity when ingested, as long-term use in approved food and pharmaceutical applications has demonstrated." "... propylene glycol is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) 21 {CFR 184.1666} for internal consumption and is cleared for use as direct and indirect additive in food and pharmaceuticals..." Propylene glycol is used in many kinds of soda pop as a sweetener. Note: Do not allow small animals access to either substance. Both are sweet and both will kill small animals which will drink all of it they can. Also - just because these are both environmentally "benign", do not dispose of them foolishly. A small amount ( a few gallons ) will not cause much harm to a sewage treatment system or to the water your boat floats in. Both are alcohols and neither will likely cause damage to common plastics such as hose materials. Common engine antifreeze will have some additives to prevent corrosion and provide some lubrication for pump bearings etc. The pink propylene glycol antifreeze used for water systems has no additives for these purposes and would cause or contribute to corrosion and bearing wear in your engine water system. My suggestion is to use the same stuff as you use in your car. It is likely far cheaper and is probably the same as the "marine" brands.
The following are quotes from scientific documents and are typical of what you will find in the scientific literature. RE: Environmental "Toxicity" Ethylene glycol and propylene glycol have about the same low degree of toxicity to aquatic life. Both substances are generally very benign. If one used the classification system of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, both ethylene glycol and propylene glycol would fall easily into the "relatively non-toxic" category. Both ethylene glycol and propylene glycol-based fluids degrade very quickly-although speed of degradation varies with the temperature. Generally, the cooler the temperature, the more slowly the substances degrade. During the degradation process, the microbes feeding on the glycol consume oxygen from the water. If the glycol is degrading quickly and a lot of oxygen is being consumed, there may not be enough oxygen left in the water for the other aquatic organisms to use. Because ethylene glycol is a smaller molecule than the propylene glycol molecule, less oxygen is required to degrade the ethylene glycol. This, too, is an advantage for ethylene glycol and ethylene glycol-based fluids. RE: Human "Toxicity" "The estimated lethal dose of ethylene glycol for an average size person is about 100 milliliters - or less than one-half cup. In lesser amounts, ethylene glycol is known to cause serious kidney damage and central nervous system depression." This is slightly more but approximately the same as ethanol. 100 proof scotch is a 50% mixture of ethanol and water. You would not be advised to drink a full cup in one gulp and two or three full cups might well have the same consequences as either glycol. "Neither ethylene glycol nor propylene glycol appears in the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) list of "hazardous substances" or "extremely hazardous substances." However, by virtue of its oral toxicity, ethylene glycol is classified as a "toxic chemical" under SARA, Title III, Section 313" (as are many other common substances such as ethanol etc.) "Propylene glycol exhibits low toxicity when ingested, as long-term use in approved food and pharmaceutical applications has demonstrated." "... propylene glycol is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) 21 {CFR 184.1666} for internal consumption and is cleared for use as direct and indirect additive in food and pharmaceuticals..." Propylene glycol is used in many kinds of soda pop as a sweetener. Note: Do not allow small animals access to either substance. Both are sweet and both will kill small animals which will drink all of it they can. Also - just because these are both environmentally "benign", do not dispose of them foolishly. A small amount ( a few gallons ) will not cause much harm to a sewage treatment system or to the water your boat floats in. Both are alcohols and neither will likely cause damage to common plastics such as hose materials. Common engine antifreeze will have some additives to prevent corrosion and provide some lubrication for pump bearings etc. The pink propylene glycol antifreeze used for water systems has no additives for these purposes and would cause or contribute to corrosion and bearing wear in your engine water system. My suggestion is to use the same stuff as you use in your car. It is likely far cheaper and is probably the same as the "marine" brands.
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