Antifreeze

[ralphy670]

Would or do you guys in the northern states and Canada leave the RV antifreeze in the engine for the winter. Or is it best to drain it? This is a raw water cooling system.
I was paranoid last year when the temp went down to -45C. I had no issues this summer though but would it be best to leave the system dry.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Antifreeze

how are you going to keep antifreeze in an open cooling system, if it were a closed system i would say yes. i would just remove all drain plugs. and store lower unit in running postion.

 

[Tahoe 55]

Re: Antifreeze

RV antifreeze doesn't have any corrosion protection additives.

 

[ralphy670]

Re: Antifreeze

Thanks guys, much appreciated. I shall pull all the plugs and leave her dry.

 

[Tahoe 55]

Re: Antifreeze

I'd read your manual. Mine says to open and drain raw water, close and add propylene glycol antifreeze. My engine is also raw water cooled.

 

[ralphy670]

Re: Antifreeze

Thats what mine says also. It just got soooo cold last year I was paranoid that -50C rated rv might not be enough in case there is a little water left somewhere. I remove all the hoses off the water pump after draining the water and blew through them. I then replaced the plugs and filled all the hoses with -50C rated prop glycol.
I know air cant freeze and expand, that is why I may leave it dry.
Any other thoughts

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Antifreeze

The regular anti freeze will keep things from rusting.
In that cold of climate i would use the regular pure green auto stuff...

 

[j_martin]

Re: Antifreeze

The regular anti freeze will keep things from rusting.
In that cold of climate i would use the regular pure green auto stuff...

Trouble is, it's poisionous, and it's sweet and attractive to kids and pets. Use the "safety freeze" propylene glycol stuff. If RV antifreeze is cheap, use that as a dillutant. It's about 30% in the jug.

I had a friend (emphasize HAD) who put up with no kidneys for the last 10 years of his life because some idiot used automotive antifreeze to winterize his cabin.

hope it helps
John