Crazy engine coolant question

[dmwelch]

Alright who's ready for a funny question, I live in Michigan which means it gets cold at night, I have a my 68 40hp big twin in a steel drum that I have been working on, but. I don't want to have to keep draining the drum every time I want to work on it but if I leave plain water in it will freeze, so can I put radiator coolant in the water and run the engine without any worries of problem?

Thanks

 

[hemi rt]

It shouldn't hurt anything, just remember that most of your engine is made of aluminum so get an anti freeze that is compatible with aluminum - it will cost a little more but it will be worth it.

 

[GA_Boater]

I would put a drain in the barrel. Look at the chart below and find how big your tub is and how much AF is needed to protect at your expected lows. Then figure about 10 bucks minimum a gallon and see how much dough it will cost you. Also you need to add more because water is always splashing over the tub rim.

 

[tpenfield]

Radiator coolant (the green stuff) would not be a good idea because it is toxic and you would want to dispose of it properly when done.

RV/Marine antifreeze would be a better choice, but considering the amount of AF that you may need the whole idea may not be viable. Sort of depends on the temps, etc.

 

[GA_Boater]

I wonder how long the AF will be effective in an open barrel? The active ingredient, alcohol, might evaporate.

 

[Vic.S]

Use an ethylene glycol based antifreeze, or a non toxic propylene based antifreeze such as suggested above for RV water systems.

Surprised actually that you still have alcohol based antifreezes available. To the best of my knowledge we dont have them now in the UK

NB the problem with ethylene glycol antifreezes is that unless they contain some "bittering agent" they are sweet tasting and therefore attractive to children and pets to drink with possible fatal results

 

[Scott Danforth]

It would be cheaper and safer to use a water trough heater from your local farm store. $10 will keep it from freezing and you won't be killing children, animals and your wallet

 

[jimmbo]

It would be cheaper and safer to use a water trough heater from your local farm store. $10 will keep it from freezing and you won't be killing children, animals and your wallet

Good suggestion

Beside the toxicity of Alcohol and Ethylene Glycol, both are fire hazards. Not what you need or want around ignition systems

 

[Vic.S]

Good suggestion

Beside the toxicity of Alcohol and Ethylene Glycol, both are fire hazards. Not what you need or want around ignition systems

With a flash point of 111?C ethylene glycol is not much of a fire hazard.

Flash pt of propylene glycol is 130C

 

[oldboat1]

I vote for a faucet down at the bottom of the test barrel -- summer or winter for that matter, just for convenience and to save your back. In non-freezing temps, can just leave it open to drain when done tinkering. Thing is, in winter you want to protect your l.u. too while working on the motor, so might drain down the barrel to just above the water pump or thereabouts, then add a suitable amount of non-toxic antifreeze for the water left in the barrel. Next day, refill the barrel with water and have at it again -- repeat the process until ready to remove and store the motor.

 

[ondarvr]

Use an ethylene glycol based antifreeze, or a non toxic propylene based antifreeze such as suggested above for RV water systems.

Surprised actually that you still have alcohol based antifreezes available. To the best of my knowledge we dont have them now in the UK

NB the problem with ethylene glycol antifreezes is that unless they contain some "bittering agent" they are sweet tasting and therefore attractive to children and pets to drink with possible fatal results

Glycol is alcohol.

 

[geoffwga1]

Just my2 cents worth,I think the water heater is by far the best idea,saves money ,saves water,saves the environment,and potentially save lives.

 

[oldboat1]

external drum heater maybe. Don't think I would use an immersion heater in a barrel containing gas and fumes.

 

[Scott Danforth]

external drum heater maybe. Don't think I would use an immersion heater in a barrel containing gas and fumes.

In plug it and remove it from the barrel when you want to use the outboard

 

[HighTrim]

A local mechanic to me keeps a small "pond" that he keeps full of RV antifreeze and water mix. For winterizing outboards, he backs the boat into the mix and runs. Think inboards here, not outboards but he uses for both. Saves a lot of time winterizing an inboard.

I think some guys here are overthinking this a little bit! Ive never caught my kids nor my dog drinking from my test tank lol.

If you don't want to use RV antifreeze the cheapest safest way would not be a heater, but an aerator. THey simply produce bubbles to keep the water from freezing.

Best option for you would be to build a giant heated shop to work in! Yeah, but you can dream right.

 

[racerone]

I used a floatimg heater from the farm supply store some 40 years ago.---Perfectly safe to use.

 

[Silvertip]

external drum heater maybe. Don't think I would use an immersion heater in a barrel containing gas and fumes.

The electric fuel pump in your fuel injected car sits inside the gas tank. If that's not a fire hazard then the immersion heater isn't either. Don't know of many cattle electrocuted from their use on farms.

 

[oldboat1]

The electric fuel pump in your fuel injected car sits inside the gas tank. If that's not a fire hazard then the immersion heater isn't either. Don't know of many cattle electrocuted from their use on farms.

Air mix ratio inside the fuel tank, I suppose. (Racer's floating heater would probably be a little riskier than one buried in the barrel.) Holstein burps might be a hazard.

Not sure about the electrocution factor -- good breakers in the barn are probably helpful, just in case. If you moor at a marina with shore power, it's probably wise not to pee into the lake, just in case....

 

[Scott Danforth]

I used my subversion heater in a car of muriatic acid and water for derusting truck fenders. If the acid wasn't an issue for electricity or combustion, cow burps and outboard won't be

 

[oldboat1]

High Trim had mentioned a bubbler, and I was stuck thinking of dock bubblers (pretty big and pricey). But something like this might do the job: https://www.pondliner.com/atlantic-w...h-aeration-kit .