MannyBlk00

I was reading some threads on normal running entine temperature and noticed my engine was running hot. So I decided to flush the radiator and change the antifreeze. I refilled with a 50/50 mix of Prestone and water but the manual says to only use Dex Cool???

Am I OK with the Prestone or is this a ? It seems to run a lot cooler now

Thanks

BHP

If it is the Prestone Dexcool version (orange color), meets GM specs you are OK. Run it my car, no problems. Some folks say you have to run Texaco IMO.

MannyBlk00

Actually is the green stuff, that's why I'm worried

Miaugi

I have read that mixing the orange and the green is not good. So you have 2 choices, leave it alone and see if those who say that are right and see how much damage and greif it will cause you, or, flush out your system immediatly and VERY thoroughly and put back only Dex-Cool.

If it was me, I'd get on option #2 right away!!!

madeouttaglass

I'd be flushing it right now.

CAPN17

Get it flushed professionally before the green and orange turn into sludge in the cooling system and block it up. They will no mix and there is always some left unless a proper flush is done. Then refill with orange, Dexcool, like the general wants. You and your cooling system will be happy for a long time.

Stock Man

To be done ASAP. When your done you'll have the cleanest cooling system in town. At least you can tell yourself that and it might take the pain away. Keep us posted if anything happens.

fixvet

I just read somewhere this weekend, that we should use the Dex Cool in our alum. LS1 engines. Something about the old green stuff can cause corrosion or whatever. I always stick with factory recommendations on stuff like this.

MannyBlk00

Mama always said stupid is as stupid does

So it's out with the green and in with the orange.

I'll let you know if anything happens

Thanks guys

Vetteman Jack

As long as the Prestone says it meets DexCool standards, you should be fine. If it was the green stuff, you may want to drain and refill with the correct antifreeze.

arkindared

And distilled water.

Yoggi

MannyBlk00

Luckily I didn't mix the green and the orange, I did a complete flush, filled with the green stuff and have only driven it a couple of times. I just got back from the parts store and got the orange one along with another thing of flush

Weird thing is it's still over heating, it's fine when I'm driving over 30mph, but when I'm standing still or driving slow the temp guage goes up just over 220 and then falls back down. I'm thinking maybe the th-stat, hopefully not the water pump

I didn't know about the distilled water... Thanks arkindared

bekdad

If you're still overheating, then the first (and simplest) thing you should do is get the front end elevated a little, so you can look up underneath, at the front part of the radiator (locate the air dam/scoop, and look up from there). This is a very common place for debris to collect. This trash can have a big effect on the cooling power of the radiator.

USA-VET

Flush Now!

Bill Dearborn

Get the green stuff out now if not sooner you will have damage otherwise. However, as far as I know there is no way to know whether the Prestone Orange coolant actually meets the Dexcool specs since I don't think they have been published. I have not found any specs for Dexcool anywhere I have looked. I have never really looked close enough at a Prestone container to see if Prestone actually makes a written claim that their Orange coolant matches Dexcool or just imply that it does.
Bill

Rickk

GREEN stuff bad,,,,ORANGE stuff good......

Rickk

I have a gallon of Prestone 50/50 mix. The label says it is GM DEX-COOL approved. Thats good enough for me....Its ORANGE

my50thvette

This is very important. I've seen alot of problems from using plain water with the orange antifreeze.
I really wonder if this orange is all they say it is.

fdxpilot

Overheating? That's exactly what the stock system is supposed to do. In slow traffic or at a stop, you have no airflow over the radiator, and the temp goes up. At 219 (or something around there) the first fan comes on, and if that isn't enough, the second kicks in around 228. When the system cools off, the fans shut off, one at a time. Where did you get the idea that 220 is overheating? Have you not owned a new car recently?