Another GM auto tech question re DexCool

[craze1cars]

Me again...my 01 Aurora (mfr'd 04/00) has passed it 5 year limit on the original Dex-cool so I'll be flushing it out very soon (just as soon as I get the plugs changed!)<br /><br />Word on the street is that DexCool is being phased out and won't be used any longer. I know I've seen that it sometimes had a tendency to clot up, but my original Dexcool in this machine is crystal clear and appears to have worked well. Prestone now makes a new 5 year coolant that's green/yellow in color (not sure if it's ethelyne glycol with more inhibitors, or what exactly it is), that's supposedly compatible with all other coolants. This is being touted heavily by Advance Auto parts and some others as the best replacement.<br /><br />I can still get DexCool, but if it's obsolete and there's something better out there I may prefer to use the new stuff. What's the word from GM, or what are your educated opinions on what I should use when I refill? Thanks again.

 

[Dreamer1Q]

Re: Another GM auto tech question re DexCool

Use the Dexcool. The only reason it had a problem with clotting was ignorant people who thought orange and green made good enough. You cant mix them at all, even the slightest mix and you would get clotting. Dexcool is your best option.

 

[jimr]

Re: Another GM auto tech question re DexCool

use dex cool in it. I think the jury is still out on the "fit all stuff" We have been using it at work with regular antifreeze but I won't put it in a dex cool fleet charge or ford's gold colored stuff. I have seen what mixing the wrong stuff in and it ain't pretty

 

[SeaHorse]

Re: Another GM auto tech question re DexCool

The Dexcool in some GM engines, such as my 1996 Silverado, eats up the intake manifold gaskets. Get it out BEFORE the 5 year limit. I now have the green stuff mixed with some "mixes with anything" stuff, will change every two years. You can't tell anything about antifreeze by looking at it. You need the test strip kit that shows whether or not it's still anti corrosive.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Another GM auto tech question re DexCool

Thanks for the tips. I'm not a fan of mixing ANY antifreeze with others. In the end I decided to make the Aurora a test rat. I flushed the entire system fully until it was clean, drinkable water to make sure 100% of the DexCool was out. Then I put in the proper ratio of the new stuff I asked about earlier "Prestone All Makes/Models Long Life Antifreeze." It's green, and ethelyne glycol base, but they claim a 5 year 150K mile life because it has different acid inhibitors in it than the conventional 2 year glycol. 1 week later and it's working great!<br /><br />So now everyone just needs to check back here in 5 years for an update on whether I regret my decision or not ...but I suspect everything will be just fine.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Another GM auto tech question re DexCool

craze, I wish you had done this two years ago. I toying with doing the same on my 2003 Impala (3.4) with 62000 miles on it. I have had 5 different company cars (all 3.4), and they all seem to "lose" coolant, but I have never had one long enough to have the intake leak. But I know it's coming!

 

[Vlad D Impeller]

Re: Another GM auto tech question re DexCool

How often does one need to flush their vehicle's cooling system?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Another GM auto tech question re DexCool

Dex cool is supposed to go 5 years.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Another GM auto tech question re DexCool

You know...for about 30 years the green ethelyne glycol stuff worked perfectly fine with 2 year change intervals. Nobody ever complained about coolant problems. THEN came all the yellow, pink, red, and orange "long life" coolants and the whole coolant world went into a frenzy of clotted radiators, corroded head gaskets, class action lawsuits, rules stating don't mix this with that, etc., etc. <br /><br />So now I am sooooo happy to see a major manufacturer like Prestone going back to a good old classic and proven cooling system product. Hopefully the major manufacturers like it too and we can go back to some more standardized stuff.<br /><br />I'm really quite confident and comfortable that good old Ethelyne Glycol is the best product for ALL vehicles, and now that the manufacturers are bragging about new additives giving it a 5 year lifespan, they must have tested and improved on the old stuff, right? So I have absolutely no fear with my transition, and I intend to leave it in there for the full 5 years, trouble-free. In 2 years my 2003 Chevy truck will get the same treatment, right when its DexCool reaches it's 5 year limit.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Another GM auto tech question re DexCool

Originally posted by Vlad D Impeller:<br /> How often does one need to flush their vehicle's cooling system?

The answer used to be: Every 2 years.<br /><br />Today's answer:<br /><br />Depends on your vehicle, what kind of cooling system it has, whether the radiator is copper, bronze, aluminum, plastic, or titanium, who has added what kind of coolant to it and how much and when, what kind of coolant it used to have and whether it has been mixed, whether it's green, red, orange, blue, purple, or fuscia, and which planets are aligned in the northern sky when viewed through a refractory hoopamajig on the 3rd tuesday of February of every 4th leap year when temps are below 13 degrees celcius.

 

[Vlad D Impeller]

Re: Another GM auto tech question re DexCool

Its a 1999 F150, the color of the coolant is green, the cooling system has never been flushed <br /><br />would i have problems with the radiator if i have it flushed?

 

[jaxsun]

Re: Another GM auto tech question re DexCool

as far as i know dexcool is not being phased out...if im not mistaken it works better in cars with aluminum radiators than the green stuff..of course im certified in collision repair and not as a mechanic so i could be mistaken

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Another GM auto tech question re DexCool

Originally posted by Vlad D Impeller:<br /> the cooling system has never been flushed <br /><br />would i have problems with the radiator if i have it flushed?

No worse than any problems you'll have if you keep driving without flushing it. Read your owner's manual, I imagine it will tell you that you're overdue by about 5 years. The only damage you might have done is shortened the life of your radiator, heater core, waterpump, and hoses.<br /><br />If I were in your shoes, I'd have it flushed, replace all the rubber hoses, thermostat, and cap, and have it pressure tested. Then replace the other items only as they start to fail. It's time for some maintenance...