Re-use or dispose of anti-freeze

TreeFarmer1414 · May 15, 2010

I need to flush the cooling system on a truck that is borderline overheating and see if that helps the problem. As the truck doesn't get very many miles on it, and I don't know how to legally dispose of used anti-freeze, to save a few dollars my thought was to re-use the old coolant after flushing the system. Good or bad idea? What is the best way to strain it before putting it back in the radiator? How can one legally dispose of the stuff? It's a DT466 engine so there will be lots of liquid to deal with. Thanks for your comments in advance.

Joe in OH · May 15, 2010

If you are connected to a city sewer, you can pour it right down the drain. If you do not beleive me, read the back of the Antifreeze bottle.

Do not do this if you have a septic system.

rustyfarmall · May 15, 2010

My auto mechanics instructor from way back in the dark ages always suggested to strain used anti-freeze through a paint filter, but he also stressed that little trick was to be used ONLY if the anti-freeze was relatively new.

I have used that trick a couple of times and it DID strain out most of the dirt and other crud.

MN Scott · May 15, 2010

DO NOT reuse it especially in a DT466 diesel engine. As coolant ages its additives break down and corrosion and sleeve cavitation will occur. Its ph changes and it actually gets corrosive to metal. A DT466 is very susceptible to sleeve cavitation. It should have a water filter on it that should be replaced every year. The filter replaces the additives that are lost. You might find a local place that has a coolant recycling machine that filters, cleans and replaces the lost conditioners so you can reuse the coolant. I use old coolant to winterize my sprayer and in the spring just spray it out on unused ground. Coolant is biodegradable and breaks down unlike oil but is very poisonous to animals. Check your local disposal laws.

old · May 15, 2010

My self I filter it store it and reuse it in old tractors. No I do not reuse in my car or truck but that is because they are not as forgiving as the old tractors are. Oh by the way I mix it with new anti freeze before adding it to a tractor

mazemeister · May 15, 2010

save the old stuff for rat poison

El Hombre · May 15, 2010

I just looked at a Zerex jug, only safe thing you can do is to take it to the hazmat people and let them take care of it.

That said, I was at a toxic waste seminar put on by the local water agency. They mentioned anti-freeze will break down in 28 days, but it only spends 8 hours in the water treatment plant before they discharge it, so it's still potent.

A friend said a neighbor was flushing his cars radiator and the water was running in the gutter and down the storm drain. That was a $2500 fine. Inspector from water agency happened to be driving by.

I live out in the country and just let it go into the ground. It's gonna take a lot more that 28 days to get to the nearest well (mine), so it's not an issue here.

As someone else mentioned, you can have the additive package added and it's as good as new.

chevytaHOE5674 · May 15, 2010

Many auto parts stores (napa, carquest locally) will take it and dispose of it. I think autozone, and advanced auto collect it as well.

Ray · May 15, 2010

That's not going to be the problem.Those engines had huge cooling systems and antifreeze doesn't go bad in a closed system.You need to make sure your gauge is working properly first.Auto stores sell a temperature gauge that looks like a meat thermometer that will tell you the correct temperature.It might also be a thermostat or the radiator finns could be plugged with dirt,bugs etc.

JD Seller · May 15, 2010

The ethylene glycol part of antifreeze never goes bad, that is want makes it not freeze. The additives go bad with age not hours of use. You can by the additives and just add them back to your anti freeze. I just got a bottle at my John Deere dealer $12.95 treats fifty gallons of coolant mix. The ph will not change in anti freeze in a motor unless you add water to it. You need to add distilled water that has no salt or minerals in it.
The water filters that you put on IH tractors have a wafer in the filter that slowly releases the additives into the water. You should install one on any DT466

Sammy in Kansas · May 15, 2010

I am a license waste water treatment plant operater and nothing will screw up a activated sludge plant than anti freeze. I do not doubt that the container does say that, but if they trace it back to your sewer, there are big fines for that. Just two cents from the guy on the other end dealing with it.

Re-use or dispose of anti-freeze

TreeFarmer1414

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Joe in OH

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rustyfarmall

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MN Scott

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old

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mazemeister

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El Hombre

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chevytaHOE5674

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Ray

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JD Seller

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Sammy in Kansas

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