Heating Antifreeze

[Cessna172]

I did not by-pass the water heater when installing the water system antifreeze; so, there is 6 gallons or so of antifreeze in the water heater.

I want to use the boat without flushing the fresh water system. Is there any adverse affects to heating the antifreeze (from the engine cooling system) while underway. I realize there is a shut-off valve to the water heater isolating it from the engine coolant; however, from the schematic the valve would also shut down flow to the cabin heater. Too cold to do that.

Thanks,
Gary

 

[knotflying]

I think I might drain the heater of the RV antifreeze as a precaution. Keep in mind that the heater element from the engine is an encased coil that transfers the hot engine coolant. This is different than the electric coil that directly heats the water which can burn out if no water is present. The chemical make up of the RV antifreeze is such that it does not do well if heated. I know of an RV guy that accidentally heated his RV antifreeze filled water heater and it became a gooey mess. However, this was directly heated from an electric coil.

 

[bluestreak]

On my fifth wheel, I forgot to bypass the water heater and the RV antifreeze was flushed through.
Drained everything in the spring but the smell and TASTE of the residue antifreeze took many flushings to get rid of.

Flush the water heater and get rid of the antifreeze before you fire up the heater.
Just a word to the wise.

 

[Cessna172]

On my fifth wheel, I forgot to bypass the water heater and the RV antifreeze was flushed through.
Drained everything in the spring but the smell and TASTE of the residue antifreeze took many flushings to get rid of.

Flush the water heater and get rid of the antifreeze before you fire up the heater.
Just a word to the wise.

Was the smell and taste a result of the antifreeze being heated in the water heater?

Gary

 

[bluestreak]

Yes it was.
I will never make that mistake again;
I was in a hurray that time.

 

[MarcoArias]

HI Gary,

It would be wise to drain the hot water tank of all antifreeze before running it. Flush it if possible. The easiest way to do this is to connect an open water hose to the water fill and run the water pump with all the sinks/showers hot valves open.

Feel free to email me with anymore questions!

 

[Cessna172]

Thanks for all the advise and wisdom to all.

Installing a water heater by-pass this weekend!

Gary