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Blue or Pink Antifreeze

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wish2fish

Regular Contributor
Until recently I didn't kn

Until recently I didn't know there was a blue antifreeze (good to -100) and since knowing about it I have only been able to find the pink antifreeze (good to -50). in my area. The guy who winterized my boat mentioned that he was using the -100 antifreeze without me even asking. It rarely gets under 0 degrees F here in southwest Ohio so I was wondering if some of the experts here could comment on whether -100 (blue) stuff is needed because of dilution with water already in the motor.
 
"Hi W2F
I wouldn't call m

"Hi W2F
I wouldn't call myself an expert, but I do have an opinion. Up here in southern Ont. we probably have close to the same temps as you do in Ohio. I've never heard of -100 antifreeze, but that seems like over kill unless you live in Alaska or Nunivut. The dilution of the antifreeze with the water in the block is what gives the rating for protection. The more water in there, obviously the worse the freeze protection becomes. That being said, antifreeze does need to be diluted with water to actually work. Straight antifreeze by itself will actually gell up at very low temps. It needs to have the chemical reaction of a mixture with the water to work properly. We run our car radiators at - 45 to -50 up here. I'm sure you do the same for winter driving down there. That car is going down the road all winter long with snow melting on the rad and gaining wind chill out on the highway, and -45 is great protection for that. I've also never had my rad or block freeze while snowed in, in the driveway for a couple of days without driving and building engine heat. I can't imagine that your stored boat would need any more freeze protection than -50. My boat gets stored indoors in a non-climate controlled shop, but my old one spent a winter or 2 outside with no problems.

Just thinking out loud
Wrench"
 
"The regular pink -50 RV antif

"The regular pink -50 RV antifreeze will do the job, and it is premixed; you don't dilute it at all.
Like wrench, I have never heard of the blue -100; and can't imagine why you would need it in your area. Pink is all we use in Alberta, and it can get down to -30 here in the winter.
Rod"
 
There is also a -100 pink anti

There is also a -100 pink antifreeze available. The blue stuff has rust inhibiters in it. I read somewhere that the -50 rated antif. will start to turn to slush at some point under 0 deg. Maybe its the residual water left in the block. The price for -100 blue antif. is a $1 more per gallon. I am in SW Ohio and store my boat outdoors. Temps here occaisionally dip to -30 or lower now and then and I prefer to be ready for the cold snap they said would not happen here. Its been 29 years since the temp was -50 F. here. Man that was cooooooooold. The Ohio River froze over several feet thick and 2 feet of snow was on the ground from late Jan. until mid April.
 
"ahhhh...those were the days!

"ahhhh...those were the days!

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"wish2fish
Be safe, use the a

"wish2fish
Be safe, use the automotive antifreeze, mix it 50-50 with water and make sure it is well circulated in the block. then relax and enjoy the winter. It contains the rust inhibitors, as previously mentioned, which is needed in cast iron compartments.
Bert"
 
"using automotive antifreeze w

"using automotive antifreeze will get you a fine at the docks if you dont flush well, even if you do, glycol will get into your water supply, theres a reason for using the rv "safe" antifreeeze, be a conciderate boater, dont kill the fish."
 
The blue antifreeze from mercu

The blue antifreeze from mercury is good to -100 but you can mix it 50-50 with water and maintain a good freeze protection. We use it here in Northern Ontario.
 
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