Fresh water system RV antifreeze help

spiralx45 · 03-15-2012, 07:06 PM

Hi,
Just bought a new to me forest river Rockwood 5th wheel. Wanted to flush the system out to make sure everything was in working order. Well, I got in there and I noticed the water was a green color when flushing it. should I be concerned? I expected pink but was not sure if some places use green?

Thank Kyle

Bill m · 03-15-2012, 07:16 PM

I would check with the dealer (even ask for a sample of what they use)...I have only seen pink and pinker.

TURBS · 03-15-2012, 07:18 PM

yeah seems weird to be green .

Oakman · 03-15-2012, 07:25 PM

I've yet to see green RV antifreeze either. Check with whoever you bought it from as to what type of antifreeze was used.

spiralx45 · 03-15-2012, 08:28 PM

Maybe the other question to be asked is what would happen or need done if some kind of automotive type antifreeze was used?

TURBS · 03-15-2012, 08:33 PM

just need to sanitize system with bleach and water .

I THINK 3 to 5 oz per 5 gallon

I normally fill tank half way then dump in bleach then fill the rest of the way .
flush lines really good then let sit overnight .
next day drain fw tank refill fill with fw and flush lines again .
then i install a new filter drain fw tank once again and its ready to go

TURBS · 03-15-2012, 09:16 PM

Got my book out it says dilute 1/4 cup of bleac into one gallon for every 15 gallons of water.

Let sit three hours flush and drain
Then refill

kandl · 03-15-2012, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiralx45

Well, I got in there and I noticed the water was a green color when flushing it.

New to you but the fiver is not new? If so, I'm suspecting the former owner pumped in some auto Prestone etc. Potable water system antifreeze is pink for that reason. You should perhaps consider f1100turbo's advice and break out the bleach - lots of it.

youroo · 03-16-2012, 05:54 AM

Hey since we are guessing,my vote is for (Mr Clean Windshield fluid) it is green and cheaper than R/V anti-freeze. Youroo!!

**KyDan** · 03-16-2012, 06:43 AM

We don't know what was in your system but since it was green, it's
most likely poison. Hopefully it was not in the fresh tank but just in
the plastic water lines.

I just googled Mr Clean windshield wash and it clearly says
"may be fatal if swallowed".

This is why you should never put anything in the lines except pink RV
non-toxic antifreeze.

Flush and then flush again. Sanitizing is good but that won't get out the
taste and residual what ever it was. After the unit sits a few days open
a faucet and flush the pipes again and again.

Did you purchase the unit from a dealer or an individual???

And when you think about it, they maybe saved a whole couple bucks

Taranwanderer · 03-16-2012, 06:48 AM

Yeah, I agree with the "flush, flush, and flush again" theory. If it was automotive antifreeze, I'd be flushing, a whole lot, first, and then sanitize with the bleach solution. Get as much of that green stuff and residual taste out as possible. It probably won't need too much sanitizing, since green automotive antifreeze is pretty toxic and will kill just about anything. Your system is very likely sanitized now, albeit in the wrong fashion. Just getting all the green stuff out is going to be your biggest challenge. I'd still do the bleach anyway, when you're done...it'll be yet another rinse to get the green out! Good luck!

spiralx45 · 03-16-2012, 06:57 AM

Thanks guys,
I already flushed it once with bleach. I figured that was the best option being I don't really know the people I bought it from. Hard to say where it was but the fresh water tank was empty. I probably flush it again with bleach and then again with vinegar.

I bought it from a private seller. It is a 2007 model 8287SS. I text him last night and he said there was some leftover in a bottle in one of the compartments. I have not had a chance to go through every compartment so I will do that here soon but I have not seen it as of yet. Unfortunately there is not enough room for the RV at my house so it is at my shop so when I get a chance to swing by there I will look. He assured me it was RV anti-freeze. If I find it I will take a pic for yall!

TURBS · 03-16-2012, 07:02 AM

Yes lets see what it is!

**Herk7769** · 03-16-2012, 07:09 AM

My thought too.

That stuff is very "sweet" tasting and toxic as hell. Watch where you flush it out. Standing puddles should be flushed with water to prevent animals from drinking it. You will be finding dead critters all over the place.

I think Prestone is more expensive than RV anti-freeze and was, most likely, done due to ignorance. You would do yourself a service by flushing as many times as you can including the city water connection and fresh water tank.

I would save the sanitizing for last, after 10 or so complete flush outs.

Indy Steve · 03-16-2012, 08:01 AM

There is a "greenish" marine/RV antifreeze sold by West Marine and others. It is rated to -100 as opposed to -50 for the pink stuff.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs...classNum=50297

Len & Cheri · 03-16-2012, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indy Steve

There is a "greenish" marine/RV antifreeze sold by West Marine and others. It is rated to -100 as opposed to -50 for the pink stuff.

WEST MARINE -100°F Engine & Water System Antifreeze at West Marine

Wow! That's expensive antifreeze.

spiralx45 · 03-16-2012, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indy Steve

There is a "greenish" marine/RV antifreeze sold by West Marine and others. It is rated to -100 as opposed to -50 for the pink stuff.

WEST MARINE -100°F Engine & Water System Antifreeze at West Marine

That is a good find. If you watch the video it looks greenish. At least there are colors other than pink. Does not look like quite the color I was seeing and probably a waste of money here in Ohio but a good sign I'm not completely screwed!

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