Antifreeze Slush - Need help, advise, comments good or bad

nh yankee · 12-11-2018, 03:12 PM

We just had a 5 degree night here in central New Hampshire. When I went in to inspect the camper the antifreeze in the toilet was slush.

In winterizing the camper I did what the directions called for. Blow out all water lines. I did this several times at 30PSI until nothing came out of all openings hot, cold, inside and out. Made sure the water pump pumped out any water, emptied the water filter. I then poured two gallons down the sink, shower and toilet drains.

So why would the antifreeze be slush?

What should I do about it as we can expect well below zero temps in Jan and Feb?

TheWolfPaq82 · 12-11-2018, 03:15 PM

That is what RV antifreeze does. It doesn't freeze solid like Ice, but will turn to a slush that will not harm your pipes, valves fittings...etc...

**Iwritecode** · 12-11-2018, 03:16 PM

Happens to me every year. Nothing to worry about.

nh yankee · 12-11-2018, 03:18 PM

Thanks, Guess I'm showing that I'm new bee to winterizing and having a camper needing winterizing.

**Flybob** · 12-11-2018, 03:35 PM

Standard early winter question / concern. The damage is caused by expansion of the freezing liquid. RV antifreeze will turn to slush but not freeze solid and expand until it gets to about -50F.

nh yankee · 12-11-2018, 03:44 PM

Thanks all for your help. Fortunately it doesn't get to -50F here but I have seen -20F.

5picker · 12-11-2018, 04:45 PM

Even when it becomes more solid, it barely expands.
Unlike water that expands when frozen and can burst plumbing, fittings and faucets, R/V antifreeze does so very minimally and then only if part of it's make-up is H2o.

wanderer44 · 12-11-2018, 04:48 PM

I have used the rv antifreeze and have had minus 20 or so and all ok. I still buy the -50 degree type and now some of the minus-75 is available. If there would be a little water left in something, then I think the -75 would give a little more protection. I also pour some in my underground sprinkler system when winterizing that.

MR.M · 12-11-2018, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5picker

Even when it becomes more solid, it barely expands.
Unlike water that expands when frozen and can burst plumbing, fittings and faucets, R/V antifreeze does so very minimally and then only if part of it's make-up is H2o.

That's funny since most all rv antifreeze is over 50% water to begin with

rlh1957 · 12-12-2018, 02:03 PM

Slush is fine... All you are wanting is to keep straight water from freezing solid and expanding so much when confined that it pops, breaks or blows out everything where confined.

DouglasReid · 12-13-2018, 07:34 AM

I used RV Antifreeze when I lived in Fairbanks, AK. It regularly got below -50 and the coldest I ever saw was -72. Never had a problem with broken pipes!

Wolverine 1945 · 12-13-2018, 10:51 AM

Have never seen slush in our Potty,,, but maybe never looked ???
I would maybe buy a different Antifreeze next year,,, and make sure there is no water left in the Potty !!! m Sounds like slush is normal ???

koller1509 · 12-13-2018, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR.M

That's funny since most all rv antifreeze is over 50% water to begin with

I will love to see your evidence to support that claim!!!

**Iwritecode** · 12-13-2018, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koller1509

I will love to see your evidence to support that claim!!!

It's on the MSDS sheets.

http://www.chemicalspec.com/Winter_C...Antifreeze.pdf

http://s7d9.scene7.com/is/content/Ge...47791pdf?$PDF$

koller1509 · 12-13-2018, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iwritecode

It's on the MSDS sheets.

http://www.chemicalspec.com/Winter_C...Antifreeze.pdf

http://s7d9.scene7.com/is/content/Ge...47791pdf?$PDF$

Thanks, a web search turned up nothing

JS Stanley · 12-28-2018, 07:34 PM

Used Walmart Super Tech and the antifreeze I dumped into the toilet has frozen solid, but the temp has yet to fall below zero. The water filter canister seems frozen solid.

I am now concerned about the water system.

Everything I find states I should be okay since it shouldn't have expanded.

Chuck_S · 12-28-2018, 08:03 PM

No help on the slush (other than knowing that's what antifreeze does) but next time just blow the water out of the system with your air compressor. Winterizing is the elimination of water, adding antifreeze is not required since you can completely drain or blow out the system. I admit to belt-and-suspenders and blow, then fill with antifreeze. But then I blow that out. Pipes have no water.

My inboard boat engines get antifreeze as there are no low point drains.

-- Chuck

**Flybob** · 12-28-2018, 08:08 PM

Should be OK if it was -30to -50F antifreeze, but you can test it. Fill a small glass jar with antifreeze put it in a plastic bag or tupperware container and set it outside.

JS Stanley · 12-28-2018, 08:30 PM

I have a gallon, unopened, that I have set outside tonight. Will monitor it for expansion as it freezes.

Wolverine 1945 · 12-29-2018, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JS Stanley

Used Walmart Super Tech and the antifreeze I dumped into the toilet has frozen solid, but the temp has yet to fall below zero. The water filter canister seems frozen solid.

I am now concerned about the water system.

Everything I find states I should be okay since it shouldn't have expanded.

I would be very concerned !!!
I would remove filter canister,,, drain it and leave it off !!!
If I found the antifreeze frozen solid in the toilet,,, I would re winterize !!!
Starter with blowing the sys out !!!

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