I just heard an idea. If windshield washer fluid does not freeze why could you not use it for winterizing the head? I am wondering about the rubber seals, but the tubing in washerfluid lines are rubber? I know there are 100 different types of rubber, so I figured I would ask before I save a penny to cost a dollar.
Peggy, blue stuff vs pink?
- Thread starter Doghouse
- Start date
- Status
Use the pink stuff...
It's made for use in onboard plumbing systems...windshield washer fluid isn't.
It's made for use in onboard plumbing systems...windshield washer fluid isn't.
why not??
You know you just might be on to something there. Why not use washer fluid to winterise the head? What is the differance? Many other products have been made for one thing and used (quite nicely too)for another. The pink stuff was made for use in automobile radiators.We just use it in our heads for is not freezing properties. Designed for one use and used for another.?????????
You know you just might be on to something there. Why not use washer fluid to winterise the head? What is the differance? Many other products have been made for one thing and used (quite nicely too)for another. The pink stuff was made for use in automobile radiators.We just use it in our heads for is not freezing properties. Designed for one use and used for another.?????????
The pink stuff was NOT made for auto radiators
The pink stuff (non-toxic potable propylene glycol) was developed specifically for use in marine and RV plumbing. There are two different automotive antifreeze products...the "old fashioned" HIGHLY toxic ethylene glycol and a newer different formulation of propylene glycol that has a much lower toxicity than ethylene glycol, but is not 100% non-toxic. Neither of these should ever be use in marine or RV plumbing systems...nor is the pink stuff (non-toxic potable marine/rv antifreeze) suitable for use in engines either. As for why not windshield washer fluid...in addition to a high alcohol content, it also contains solvents that are not destructive to the hard rubber hoses used in windshield washer, but can be destructive to the soft rubber parts in toilets and flexible PVC hoses. I'm a big believer in, if it works as well, won't do any damage, and costs a lot less, use it (for instance, why pay extra for "marine" TP when it's the same thing as "no name" TP for a fraction of the price?). If windshield washer fluid were a good substitute for the "pink stuff," I'd say go for it. But it's not.
The pink stuff (non-toxic potable propylene glycol) was developed specifically for use in marine and RV plumbing. There are two different automotive antifreeze products...the "old fashioned" HIGHLY toxic ethylene glycol and a newer different formulation of propylene glycol that has a much lower toxicity than ethylene glycol, but is not 100% non-toxic. Neither of these should ever be use in marine or RV plumbing systems...nor is the pink stuff (non-toxic potable marine/rv antifreeze) suitable for use in engines either. As for why not windshield washer fluid...in addition to a high alcohol content, it also contains solvents that are not destructive to the hard rubber hoses used in windshield washer, but can be destructive to the soft rubber parts in toilets and flexible PVC hoses. I'm a big believer in, if it works as well, won't do any damage, and costs a lot less, use it (for instance, why pay extra for "marine" TP when it's the same thing as "no name" TP for a fraction of the price?). If windshield washer fluid were a good substitute for the "pink stuff," I'd say go for it. But it's not.
Havoline Extended Life Antifreeze.
Actually the antifreeze that Yanmar (and many other mfg. recommend) is Havoline Extended Life. It is sort of orange or salmon colored. It should never be used in drinking water systems and should not be mixed up with antifreeze for potable water systems.
Actually the antifreeze that Yanmar (and many other mfg. recommend) is Havoline Extended Life. It is sort of orange or salmon colored. It should never be used in drinking water systems and should not be mixed up with antifreeze for potable water systems.
Thanks Peggy
I too, like Skip there, like home remedies, well, if they work, but wouldn't want to get caught up...without a paddle either. BTW that 'water solible' TP sold at Worst Marine can clog up a head. I don't even put paper through a macerator anymore. The old adage, "If it wasnt eaten first..." is tried and true.
I too, like Skip there, like home remedies, well, if they work, but wouldn't want to get caught up...without a paddle either. BTW that 'water solible' TP sold at Worst Marine can clog up a head. I don't even put paper through a macerator anymore. The old adage, "If it wasnt eaten first..." is tried and true.
Not for very long, Ron...
If ONLY quick-dissolve (same thing as "marine/RV") is used, even if enough goes down the head to clog it, it'll dissolve on its own in a hour or two. If it doesn't, something ELSE that shouldn't have been flushed was flushed.
If ONLY quick-dissolve (same thing as "marine/RV") is used, even if enough goes down the head to clog it, it'll dissolve on its own in a hour or two. If it doesn't, something ELSE that shouldn't have been flushed was flushed.
OK, confuse me with facts
That answers my question, but leaves me with a new one. You said the pink stuff is not good for the engine, and the non pink is not good for the environment. What am I supposed to use on the raw water side of my engine? (I know this is OT, sorry)
That answers my question, but leaves me with a new one. You said the pink stuff is not good for the engine, and the non pink is not good for the environment. What am I supposed to use on the raw water side of my engine? (I know this is OT, sorry)
That's not what I said...
What we commonly call "the pink stuff" is the non-toxic potable antifreeze made just for plumbing systems. It isn't recommended for engines, only for plumbing, 'cuz it doesn't have the corrosion inhibitors in it that engines need. In your engines, you need to use the other "non-toxic" propylene glycol (I have no idea what color it is, but I don't THINK it's pink)--that's made for use in engines...or the highly toxic ethylene glycol, which is green. But you shouldn't use either of antifreezes made for use in engines in plumbing 'cuz they're not fomulated for use with the kinds of hoses used in plumbing. Iow, there isn't a "one size fits all" antifreeze for use in both engines and plumbing...ya gotta use the right kind for each system.
What we commonly call "the pink stuff" is the non-toxic potable antifreeze made just for plumbing systems. It isn't recommended for engines, only for plumbing, 'cuz it doesn't have the corrosion inhibitors in it that engines need. In your engines, you need to use the other "non-toxic" propylene glycol (I have no idea what color it is, but I don't THINK it's pink)--that's made for use in engines...or the highly toxic ethylene glycol, which is green. But you shouldn't use either of antifreezes made for use in engines in plumbing 'cuz they're not fomulated for use with the kinds of hoses used in plumbing. Iow, there isn't a "one size fits all" antifreeze for use in both engines and plumbing...ya gotta use the right kind for each system.
thick as a brick
Ok so I am thick as a brick some times. I understand not to put engine AF in the water tank. I understand not to put RV AF in the Closed side of the engine. The raw side of the engine is my problem. I thought it was ok to us the RV stuff to winterize the raw water side of the engine. If it is not, and you cannot use engine AF due to it being dumped overboard, when you start the engine what are you supposed to use? I am prob overthinking things, but that saves money and headaches later.
Ok so I am thick as a brick some times. I understand not to put engine AF in the water tank. I understand not to put RV AF in the Closed side of the engine. The raw side of the engine is my problem. I thought it was ok to us the RV stuff to winterize the raw water side of the engine. If it is not, and you cannot use engine AF due to it being dumped overboard, when you start the engine what are you supposed to use? I am prob overthinking things, but that saves money and headaches later.
One more time...
There are 3 types of antifreeze: TWO versions of the NON toxic propylene glycol antifreeze...one for use in the plumbing, one or use in engines. The third type is the highly toxic ethylene glycol engine antifreese. Use the non-toxic propylene glycol antifreeze that's made for plumbing in the plumbing...use the other propylene glycol antifreeze made for engines in the raw water side of your engine...It's the highly toxic ETHYLENE glycol that should be avoided.
There are 3 types of antifreeze: TWO versions of the NON toxic propylene glycol antifreeze...one for use in the plumbing, one or use in engines. The third type is the highly toxic ethylene glycol engine antifreese. Use the non-toxic propylene glycol antifreeze that's made for plumbing in the plumbing...use the other propylene glycol antifreeze made for engines in the raw water side of your engine...It's the highly toxic ETHYLENE glycol that should be avoided.
Use 'pink' for raw water
Hi Doghouse, Use the 'pink' rv stuff for the raw water side of the engine. That stuff does not really go 'inside' the engine, just through the heat exchanger and raw water pump. Actually you can use any antifreeze you want for the raw water side - you don't drink from it, and it doesn't circulate through the engine internals. Since the RV stuff is non toxic and cheap, it makes the most sense to use it to winterize the raw water. Barry
Hi Doghouse, Use the 'pink' rv stuff for the raw water side of the engine. That stuff does not really go 'inside' the engine, just through the heat exchanger and raw water pump. Actually you can use any antifreeze you want for the raw water side - you don't drink from it, and it doesn't circulate through the engine internals. Since the RV stuff is non toxic and cheap, it makes the most sense to use it to winterize the raw water. Barry
- Status