Amanda Knapp
RV antifreeze that contains a mixture of propylene glycol and alcohol is not recommended for winterizing boat engines. This is because ethanol can degrade rubber and plastic seals and hoses in older engines, especially older boat engines. However, some people do use cheap vodka as antifreeze. Regular RV antifreeze containing no alcohol is recommended for winterizing marine engines.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| RV antifreeze with alcohol | Not recommended for winterizing engines |
| RV antifreeze without alcohol | Recommended for winterizing marine engines |
| RV antifreeze with alcohol | Can degrade rubber/plastic seals and hoses in older engines |
| RV antifreeze without alcohol | Does not contain corrosion inhibitors |
What You'll Learn
- RV antifreeze with alcohol is not recommended for boat engines
- RV antifreeze with alcohol can degrade rubber/plastic seals and hoses in older boat engines
- RV antifreeze with alcohol is not recommended for winterizing boat engines
- RV antifreeze with alcohol is not recommended for engine cooling/exhaust
- RV antifreeze with alcohol is not recommended for use in freshwater systems
RV antifreeze with alcohol is not recommended for boat engines
RV antifreeze with alcohol can degrade rubber and plastic seals and hoses in older engines, especially older boat engines. This is due to the presence of ethyl alcohol, which is a form of ethanol. As such, non-ethanol gas is widely available in marinas.
It is important to check the label of the particular bottle of RV antifreeze you are purchasing, as some brands, such as SuperTech RV antifreeze, offer alcohol-free formulations. West Marine also sells antifreeze for engines that is suitable for winterizing boat engines.
Therefore, it is recommended to use regular RV antifreeze containing no alcohol for winterizing marine engines.
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RV antifreeze with alcohol can degrade rubber/plastic seals and hoses in older boat engines
RV antifreeze that contains a mixture of propylene glycol and alcohol is not recommended for winterizing engines. Regular RV antifreeze containing no alcohol is recommended for winterizing marine engines. The West Marine antifreeze is regular RV antifreeze and is recommended for winterizing fresh water systems as well as engine cooling/exhaust.
Pink RV winterizing fluid is not for recirculating use in an engine, since it has no anticorrosion additive package. It is fine to leave in the seawater side during storage. A system built for untreated water doesn't need corrosion inhibitors. The published MSDS for SuperTech RV antifreeze does not list any antifreeze other than PG, (thus it is an alcohol-free formulation) but it would be good to check the label of the particular bottle you're buying.
You could use standard AF to winterize an engine, but it’s going straight into the water as soon as the boat is started.
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RV antifreeze with alcohol is not recommended for winterizing boat engines
RV antifreeze with alcohol can degrade rubber and plastic seals and hoses in older engines, especially older boat engines. This is why non-ethanol gas is widely available in marinas.
The pink RV winterizing fluid is not for recirculating use in an engine, as it has no anticorrosion additive package. It is fine to leave in the seawater side during storage, but it should not be used in the engine.
Regular RV antifreeze containing no alcohol is recommended for winterizing marine engines.
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RV antifreeze with alcohol is not recommended for engine cooling/exhaust
RV antifreeze that contains a mixture of propylene glycol and alcohol is not recommended for winterizing engines. Regular RV antifreeze containing no alcohol is recommended for winterizing marine engines. The West Marine brand sells antifreeze for engines that is a little more expensive than the cheap pink stuff.
Pink RV winterizing fluid is not for recirculating use in an engine, as it has no anticorrosion additive package. It is fine to leave in the seawater side during storage, as a system built for untreated water doesn't need corrosion inhibitors.
If you're looking for an antifreeze to use in your boat engine, it's best to opt for a non-alcohol variety to avoid any potential damage to your engine.
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RV antifreeze with alcohol is not recommended for use in freshwater systems
RV antifreeze that contains a mixture of propylene glycol and alcohol is not recommended for winterising engines. This is because ethanol is known to degrade rubber and plastic seals and hoses in older engines, especially older boat engines.
Regular RV antifreeze that does not contain alcohol is recommended for winterising marine engines. This is because it does not contain the same corrosive properties as alcohol-based antifreeze.
Pink RV winterising fluid is not for recirculating use in an engine, as it has no anticorrosion additive package. It is fine to leave in the seawater side during storage, as a system built for untreated water doesn't need corrosion inhibitors.
The West Marine antifreeze is recommended for winterising freshwater systems as well as engine cooling and exhaust.
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Frequently asked questions
No, RV antifreeze that contains a mixture of propylene glycol and alcohol is not recommended for winterizing boat engines.
Ethanol, a type of alcohol, is known to degrade rubber and plastic seals and hoses in older engines, especially older boat engines.
You should use regular RV antifreeze that does not contain alcohol.
The alcohol can screw up the seals and check valves in the boat toilets, causing leaks.
