Community Forums

Oregon · 02-01-2021, 06:06 PM

Does unopened RV Antifreeze have a shelf life??

This stuff is fairly old.

ArtJoyce · 02-01-2021, 06:25 PM

I just finished using some that was ~10 years old. Every winter I use to winterize my MI house and bring her to our house for the 4 months of winter. After she passed I had a couple of gallons at her house, which and I just used up. I think if it got over 15 years old I would not use it.

I would not mix with newer stuff. I think the formula changed a few years ago

RoadEyePie · 02-01-2021, 07:38 PM

So if I drain my antifreeze in the spring and capture it, can I reuse it next winter?

Ray,IN · 02-01-2021, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoadEyePie

So if I drain my antifreeze in the spring and capture it, can I reuse it next winter?

Are you referring to RV anti-freeze or automotive anti-freeze?? RV anti-freeze becomes contaminated with airborne bacteria and diluted with water remaining in the system. This IMO renders it unsuitable for re-use.
Automotive anti-freeze becomes acidic with use and the protective additives are depleted. It may be re-used if it passes all the tests to insure it still meets minimum requirements.

sam-3 · 02-01-2021, 07:50 PM

I used to buy Walmart brand antifreeze for RV. My RV dealer sold me Camco antifreeze. It has a shelf life of two years as per my RV dealer. It is premium antifreeze that only costs a little more.

RoadEyePie · 02-02-2021, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

Are you referring to RV anti-freeze or automotive anti-freeze?? RV anti-freeze becomes contaminated with airborne bacteria and diluted with water remaining in the system. This IMO renders it unsuitable for re-use.
Automotive anti-freeze becomes acidic with use and the protective additives are depleted. It may be re-used if it passes all the tests to insure it still meets minimum requirements.

RV antifreeze. I don't believe there is any significant amount of water left in the system to mix with the antifreeze because I blow it out with air. Bacteria? That's everywhere already isn't it. So what's in the water lines now will have bacteria mixed in but it's still working. How would that make it unusable?

cherv · 02-02-2021, 06:56 AM

I use 3 gals each winter at maybe a total of $12 on sale. Why take a chance on reusing old antifreeze...not me!!!!

HopsBrewster · 02-02-2021, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoadEyePie

So if I drain my antifreeze in the spring and capture it, can I reuse it next winter?

Now that's penny pinching even a Scottish grandpa could be proud of!

But it's more work than it's worth.

153stars · 02-02-2021, 08:56 AM

Re-Use...it could be reused to add to drain traps and toilet bowl. Maybe to dump into and pump out of washing machine to displace that trap .

RoadEyePie · 02-02-2021, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 153stars

Re-Use...it could be reused to add to drain traps and toilet bowl. Maybe to dump into and pump out of washing machine to displace that trap .

There you see. 1153Stars, you tell 'em. Drain traps and toilet bowl. Why throw it away? Mine is way more expensive. I'm pretty sure it was $6 / gal. and I used 6 gallons.

astrocamper · 02-02-2021, 12:05 PM

I have gotten pretty efficient on my Arctic Fox 22G. I can get it all done with about 1.5 gallons.

I first drain and bypass the water heater. I then open the hot and cold low point drains and let the tubing fill with anti-freeze to the low point drains. I then open each fixture until anti-freeze runs out to fill each of the traps.

RoadEyePie · 02-02-2021, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astrocamper

I have gotten pretty efficient on my Arctic Fox 22G. I can get it all done with about 1.5 gallons.

I first drain and bypass the water heater. I then open the hot and cold low point drains and let the tubing fill with anti-freeze to the low point drains. I then open each fixture until anti-freeze runs out to fill each of the traps.

Well I have the washing machine, two bathroom sinks, toilet, shower, double kitchen sink, ice maker, outside shower hose, whole house water filter and low water drains. And I am completely clumsy trying to get antifreeze into all the lines. I do drain everything well and blow the water out with compressor, but it's still a mess....meaning I probably spill more that I should.

Gary RVRoamer · 02-02-2021, 02:57 PM

RV antifreeze is just propylene glycol, so ought to be very stable and have an indefinite shelf life as long as the jug is sealed. Once open, it is potentially subject to contamination & evaporation, which could be anywhere from insignificant to damaging. The stuff is cheap, so not worth saving in there is any doubt.

As for draining and re-using, the same cost vs doubt argument applies. Do what you think it best.

96 Wideglide · 02-02-2021, 06:21 PM

The members posting they can winterize with a gallon or two, don't have a Aqua-hot system, washing machine, and ice maker in the refrigerator!

Plenty of differences in the water systems in these rigs!