Anti Freeze

[desert1]

I know this has nothing to do with our XS11s but thought I would throw it out for a response anyway just this one time. A hose went in my 3.3 litre engine and sprayed anti-freeze all over the wiring, engine components, and most everthing under the hood....? what will neutralise this stuff 2nd ? what will it do to plastic wire coatings?
Bruce
78XS1100 Alpha

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Bruce,

Well, Anti-freeze isn't corrosive, in fact it's supposed to help prevent corrosion inside cast iron and aluminum parts! It has a lubricant oil type component as well. So....it doesn't need to be neutralized, but a good rinsing with a low pressure water hose should help remove most of it from the parts. You might need to use a mild detergent that cuts grease, like dawn!? I don't know if it has any electrical conductive properties, but it shouldn't harm the plastic insulation at all. It comes stored in PLASTIC BOTTLES.
T.C.

[John]

AND...

Most cars today have plastic radiator tanks. Do use some type of soap and wash it off. If nothing else, anti freeze will attract and hold onto all kinds of road grime, and really make the engine compartment yucky.

[Parr8hed]

this probably goes without saying, but just make sure to wash it off of the driveway, the 4 legged critters really love that stuff.

[desert1]

Thanks once again!

Thanks once again for being a veritable encyclopedia of knowledge on "XS" line....just trying to get used the smell of anti freeze now in the cab... and hand cleaning the obvious stuff, hoping the motor didnt get overheated too badly....cleaned up all the overspill....been a racoon hanging around my place lately, spose he would drink it? Hey T.C. hows it goin eh? Everyone stay XSive out there!
Bruce
78XS1100 Alpha
79XS1100 special {still working on it}

[prometheus578]

"She's so frigid, we call her Auntie Freeze"

Can't recall when I heard it, or the specifics behind it, but antifreeze is not good for plug wires. Eats them, or sumptin'.
T.C., yes, but what kind o' plastic is the bottles compared to the silicone or plastic stuff the wiring is made with?

[TopCatGr58]

Prodding me to the boiling point!

Okay, Prom,

Did some "net" research, and below is what I've found! The major component in most common anti-freeze is Ethylene Glycol, considered an Alcohol. It breaks down fairly quickly in the environment. I believe the problem with plug wires is that when it's been in the cooling system, it contains dissolved leads and solder components from the metal engine parts, and that could contribute to shorting out of the wires! It is easily mixed with water, and so a good thorough rinsing is about the best thing to do. Here are the facts from several sources:

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Name Ethane-1,2-diol
Chemical formula HOCH2CH2OH
Formula weight 62.07 u
Synonyms Ethylene Glycol

Ethylene glycol (monoethylene glycol (MEG), IUPAC name: ethane-1,2-diol) is an alcohol with two -OH groups (a diol), a chemical compound widely used as an automotive antifreeze. In its pure form, it is an odorless, colorless, syrupy liquid with a sweet taste. Ethylene glycol is toxic, and its accidental ingestion should be considered a medical emergency.

Uses
The major use of ethylene glycol is as an engine coolant and antifreeze. Due to its low freezing point, it has also been used as a deicing fluid for windshields and jet engines. Ethylene glycol has become increasingly important in the plastics industry for the manufacture of polyester fibers and resins, including polyethylene terephthalate, which is used to make plastic bottles for soft drinks. The antifreeze capabilities of ethylene glycol have made it an important component of vitrification mixtures for low-temperature preservation of biological tissues and organs.

Minor uses of ethylene glycol include the manufacture of capacitors

Common uses
Ethylene glycol is primarily used in the manufacture of automotive antifreeze/coolant. It is the primary ingredient in airplane deicers. Ethylene glycol is used in hydraulic brake fluids, electrolytic condensers, as solvents in paints and plastics, in inks, as a softening agent in cellophane, and in the manufacture of plasticisers, solvents, synthetic fibres and waxes.

Environmental effects
Environmental Fate
In the atmosphere ethylene glycol will be changed into other products in approximately one and a half days, or washed out by rain into the water or soil. In water and soil it degrades in several days to a week. The major degradation product is hydroxyacetaldehyde.

Does used antifreeze endanger the environment?

Yes, pure ethylene glycol is toxic to aquatic and land based life forms. Fortunately, it will eventually break down into water and carbon dioxide.

[prometheus578]

"Gotta take a dump"

Fortunately, it will eventually break down into water and carbon dioxide.

Does this mean that I can start dumping it in the back yard again?

[John]

Yeah

It will kill all the lawn critters, and if you dig a deep enough hole, it won't be washed away by the next rain. It will just soak in, and degrade.

[desert1]

I learned something today!

Thanks again TC for your anti freeze research, didnt realise it had so many uses!
Bruce at work

[prometheus578]

'school daze'

It will just soak in, and degrade

Sort of like me in college. Well... nothing they taught really 'soaked in', and I always got a "D" grade!