Blown 346

I just got my 01 Z back from the having the front seal and balancer replaced, since the old one was leaking all over the place and the seal wore a groove into my pulley.

I noticed my engine temps today were a little higher than they used to be. I let the car cool down and checked the surge tank. I usually use a product called "Hyper lube" to help reduce engine temps. I was going to add the bottle to my car like usual after every radiator flush/Drain.
I noticed the mechanic that worked on my car, used normal Antifreeze (The green stuff). I always use DexCool in my newer GM cars that call for it, and the normal antifreeze in the older Cars.
I figure GM wants you to use the Dexcool for a reason and not normal antifreeze. Should I drain the system and replace the current coolant with dexcool? If no, I would like to hear your opinion why.
Thanks,Mike

01Z06 Black

Sounds like the guy cross contaminated your cooling system with green, if you had DEX in it.
Me personally I would have them change and flush the system.

Gannet

What the heck is it with these guys? No matter how the mechanic may have felt personally about Dexcool, doesn't it seem a little RUDE to just substitute antifreeze in a customer's car like that? I would be livid.

And yes, I would get the system flushed and go one way or another. By somebody else.

EdsC6Z06

The green will work fine, but has a shorter life span. I'd be a little peeved that they put in a different (cheaper) coolant. You could flush it out and go back to Dex, but I doubt it is the cause of your higher temps. (unless you have air pockets)

csexton

They would be flushing mine and putting in Dex-cool

Chuck

mrm1149

Wonder where some of these places find their "techs"

craig04c5

Yep, take her back and have them flush it.

Rhode Warrior

Dexcool has been in my car for as long as I know. When I did my cam, my car had around 60K on it and it looked better than new inside.

jbondfl

I don't know that one performs better than the other. However, I do believe I've heard it is a to mix the two and I'll bet he just filled it up and didn't flush it. For that reason alone I'd make them flush and refill with Dex.

And if the mechanic isn't the manager I'd ask that the manager or myself were there to watch to make sure it was done right. I think I'd even ask for a new service ticket documenting the work just in case you had a cooling system issue in the future.

Robertelarkin

When the two different types of antifreeze are mixed they will create a brown scum residue.

When I purchased my C4 I noticed this brown scum so I asked my mechanic what was happening, he explained what had probably happened, he proceeded to flush the system.

Caution..........one quick flush will not do it, it has to be a though flush. This situation did not cause any mechanical damage.

jc-untapped-z06

Good information

Blown 346

The guy I took it to has his own shop and runs it out of his garage. He has been doing modifications such as complete stroker motors etc for almost 8 years

I have never had a problem with him in the past, but after 3 weeks of my car being gone just for a front seal I started to get irritated.

The kicker is he charged me $55.00 for the fluids. The only other problem is, he lives 45 minutes from me and I really dont want to drive back there and wait for him.

I'll just have him give me back my $55 and do the flush myself. When flushing I should fill the radiator with water, let the T state open, let the car cool, and drain it, and keep doing this until it runs out clear right?

If so, The water that will be in the water pump, and the cooling passages how much of a capacity will the engine hold? Or do I not need to worry about it? I knwo the complete cooling system holds 12.6 quarts.

Robertelarkin

The brown foamy scum, to my knowledge is not harmful, but looks awful. I would, like you said, flush out the system (run engine very briefly,DO NOT LET ENGINE GET HOT) , TWICE then I would place new fluid in, in the correct proportions. Next, this is what happened to me, after going thru this proceedure there was still a little scum.............you could do a complete re-flush now or at the end of the next season.

istsme98

robsc501

HI blown 346,
I followed the instructions provided by waunavet using dex cool,distilled water & redline water wetter on my 01 vette. Check out his threads.(I should have book marked it but didn,t.) ) He even tells you what to buy & how much.He also provides a step by step instructions to follow.Tool needed is a 1/4" rachet & extension to open the drain ****, which you only turn 1/4 turn to open.Your biggest problem will be getting the car on jacks safely. Hope this helps.
best regards
robsc501

sailohio

I've been told by GM people not to mix them. The green is not chemically compatible with your seals abd gaskets. It can degrade them.

I'd return to the mechanic and insist he drain, flush and replace the green with DexCool.

LoneStarFRC

And the ***** are even breathing my air too!

dieseldave56

I stick with the fluid recommended by the manufacturer but read this article http://www.motor.com/MAGAZINE/Articles/081999_11.html

Vetteman Jack

If it were my car, they would be flushing that green stuff out and going back to Dex-Cool.

Armadillo

I understand the Dexcool has an additive similar to Water Wetter. That could be the reason for your slightly higher temp. Definitely get the green stuff out and Dexcool in.