Fresh water cooling anti-freeze selection

docpaulo

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Feb 18, 2007
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28
I just installed a fresh water cooling kit and haven't put any coolant yet...

Do you recommend the boat specific coolants (20dollars a gallon) or is regular automotive coolant adequate consider it won't be changed yearly if at all...

Thanks
 

tashasdaddy

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Re: Fresh water cooling anti-freeze selection

regular coolant in a car is suppose to be changed. i believe, the expensive has more additives, to cut the corrosion, and abuse a boat motor goes thru. autos, cruise at 2500 to 3000 rpms. boats go from nothing to 6000, then idle and cruise at around 4000 to 5000 rpms.
 

Bondo

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Apr 17, 2002
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Re: Fresh water cooling anti-freeze selection

I'm guessing ths is an I/O,... Not an Outboard...
I think your RPMs are Way Off, TD......

Regular run of the mill Antifreeze will be Fine.......
 

WillyBWright

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Dec 29, 2003
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8,200
Re: Fresh water cooling anti-freeze selection

Sierra non-toxic would be my personal choice. Not for mechanical reasons, but for environmental ones. Granted it shouldn't enter the waterway short of a mechanical failure.

If you're using regular automotive, the orange stuff is better for long duration than green. Considering you'll probably never change it again, don't let price scare you off.

Is this a new cooler on a used motor? What have you done to flush the block? You might want to run cheap green the first year and change in fall if not sooner. The first load through a rusty block is going to get polluted.
 

docpaulo

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Feb 18, 2007
Messages
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Re: Fresh water cooling anti-freeze selection

it's actually a new motor (never been in water other than muffs)...

I'll probably go for the non-toxic stuff just in case it leaks into the bilge...

thanks for the advice....
 
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