What antifreeze-PG/engine cooling vs PG storage?

[Lou C]

I've been wondering about this one for a while. If you do use antifreeze when winterizing, to cut down on corrosion, is it best to use the propylene glycol stuff that is for engine cooling systems (like Sierra) or the storage stuff that West Marine and others sell (Sea Fit-100, etc). I have used the engine cooling PG stuff, and other than having to mix with water, I thought it would have more corrosion inhibitors in it than the storage stuff. Seems most people use the storage stuff, it is more convenient. Just trying to minimize corrosion. Thoughts?

 

[KaGee]

Re: What antifreeze-PG/engine cooling vs PG storage?

I store mine dry.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: What antifreeze-PG/engine cooling vs PG storage?

Raw water cooled? If you boat in salt, its a hundred times worse than fresh water, so hard to say how long the block will last one way or another. Anything better than nothing, but type unimportant

 

[Lou C]

Re: What antifreeze-PG/engine cooling vs PG storage?

Raw water cooled salt water. Total hrs in salt unknown, the guy I bought it from said he ran it in salt a few seasons, I ran it in salt the past 4. I changed the original thermostat housing 2 seasons ago and manifolds last season, and the motor never had any sea water in the motor problems, so it probably was in fresh water most of its life. I have noticed no flaking rust on the thermo housing when I changed the thermostat this summer, so maybe the antifreeze does help. My OMC mechanic seems to think it does help with raw water cooled salt boats here.

 

[KaGee]

Re: What antifreeze-PG/engine cooling vs PG storage?

As pointed out in another recent post... where does the antifreeze go upon start up?<br /><br />Bondo has also pointed out in his 30 years experience he has never seen a block rusted through that was dry stored.

 

[Lou C]

Re: What antifreeze-PG/engine cooling vs PG storage?

You fresh water guys ought to have a look at a salt and rust incrusted riser passage. They rust enough in 5-7 seasons, to totally block off the cooling water in some cases. 10 years on a raw water cooled block you are done. Most techs won't even touch it to rebuild. Running boats in pristine fresh water must be a treat, kinda like running a car in salt and snow free Southwestern areas. <br />Next one will be either an outboard or closed cooled straight inboard.