Question on auto antifreeze ?

[NanciL]

Will regular auto antifreeze hurt the seal in a RV toilet?

I am not interested in hearing about RV antifreeze

Jack L

[sgfrye]

gmw photos wrote:
Auto antifreeze is not only toxic, it's way more expensive than RV pink. I think I paid around $2.88 for pink at walmart.

x2

no reason not to use rv antifreeze...
lots of reasons not to use regular antifreeze

[gmw_photos]

Auto antifreeze is not only toxic, it's way more expensive than RV pink. I think I paid around $2.88 for pink at walmart.

[Community Alumni]

I would be more concerned with it ending up in your tank. Ethylene glycol is biodegradable and does breakdown into harmless components (CO2 and H20). The breakdown occurs after several days in substantial amounts of water and several weeks in soil. The problem is that this breakdown process demands large amounts of oxygen which can kill off microorganisms that septic and sewage treatment centers depend on to breakdown waste. Although you probably won't be dumping huge amounts that would royally screw up a sewage system, you're still dumping a toxin that's harmful to the system.

Another thing to remember is that until the antifreeze has broken down completely, it's still fairly toxic to humans and creatures. It can easily pollute ground, surface, and drinking water supplies. This can happen even when you're dumping into a septic or sewage system. I can tell you from experience that even in sound systems, sewage leaks are fairly common. There's a chance that the antifreeze can end up in an unintended location.

If you're looking for something cheap and readily available to protect the seal, but not freeze then cooking oil works well. It has the benefit of also lubricating the seals and valves.

[Gdetrailer]

NanciL wrote:
Will regular auto antifreeze hurt the seal in a RV toilet?

I am not interested in hearing about RV antifreeze

Jack L

In "theory" and "on paper" it shouldn't.

However.. Auto antifreeze IS extremely TOXIC to not only humans but animals if ingested.

You DO realize that the Auto antifreeze WILL be dumped into a septic system or municipal sewer system which is not designed to break down and process auto antifreeze?

In septic systems that means the antifreeze will eventually make it's way into a leach bed.. While as long as the leach bed is designed and functioning properly it will dissipate over a large area and MIGHT NOT be a hazard..

However if that leach bed is not properly designed or functioning it CAN leach into under ground springs, wells or streams..

Most municipal systems treat the sewage effluent ensuring no unwanted bacteria are left in the waste then eject the treated waste into streams and rivers, they may or may not be treating for auto antifreeze..

Why, oh, why be so darned cheap?

RV antifreeze IS "food safe", while I wouldn't want to directly drink it, it is FDA approved to be used in food processing plants where it may come in contact with food or drink..

[time2roll]

Prestone will not hurt the toilet. I actually use some mineral oil from the hardware store.

[westend]

Maybe. Why use auto antifreeze in your toilet or is this a diagnosis after the fact? If you're out of RV antifreeze, pour a few shots of booze in some water and use that. Salted water also works but not down to real low temps.

[llowllms]

Where are you with your rig in the winter and why would you want to dump a pollutant in the sewer system? Most places consider that a product to be disposed of properly.