Forum Discussion

soneill5's avatar
soneill5
Explorer
Jan 12, 2014

How did antifreeze get in fresh water tank?!?!?!?!

In a rush to winterize this fall, I forgot to drain the fresh water tank. Everything else was done, antifreeze in the lines and all. We have just went though several weeks of sub zero temps in Michigan and now that it's warming a bit and I can turn the valve to drain the tank, antifreeze is coming out.

How in the world would antifreeze have gotten in the fresh water tank? If I drain it, could it draw antifreeze from my lines?

I know I could be in a world of hurt come spring. Please send suggestions to help me mitigate the damage!
  • Captain_Happy's avatar
    Captain_Happy
    Explorer
    Jan 12, 2014
    No big deal. Just wait until spring. Emtpy the water tank competely. Fill the tank up, and drain a few times. You'll be OK.
  • GENECOP's avatar
    GENECOP
    Explorer II
    Jan 12, 2014
    bTW if you fill the Fresh water tank through your street hose connection you probably had one valve in the wrong posistion causing a little AF to feed into the FWT.....
  • GENECOP's avatar
    GENECOP
    Explorer II
    Jan 12, 2014
    No big deal really, as long as you used RV antifreeze just fill and flush out the system in the spring and you will be fine.....
  • soneill5's avatar
    soneill5
    Explorer
    Jan 12, 2014
    While we have 40 degree weather, if I drain whats left in the water tank , do I risk drawing anymore antifreeze from the water lines throughout the trailer?
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Jan 12, 2014
    This is simplified pictorial of how the RV WATER SYSTEM works.


    With the ONE-WAy VALVE shown between the water pump and the fresh water tank the only way mine can get RV antifreeze into it is using the manual fill inlet as shown.

    Some of the newer trailer have a VALVE PANEL where the city water water port can be configured to fill the fresh water tank from the city water port. Maybe your trailer has this capability.

    Roy Ken

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