Engine Coolant
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 267
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From: Hattiesburg MS
Engine Coolant
I know this question has probally already been asked but just to be sure. I have the GREEN coolant in my 95 Corvette when I purchased it. The vehicle did not have an owner's manual, so I ordered and got one. In the manual it asked for the DEX-COOL(orange-colored, silicate-free)which is the best?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs CO
Originally Posted by 95VetteMan1
I know this question has probally already been asked but just to be sure. I have the GREEN coolant in my 95 Corvette when I purchased it. The vehicle did not have an owner's manual, so I ordered and got one. In the manual it asked for the DEX-COOL(orange-colored, silicate-free)which is the best?Personally, I would keep the green coolant.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,284
Likes: 51
From: Jacksonville, FL
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '26
Just thought I'd throw this out to you. The owner's manual lists the GM coolant spec # as 1825-M in my 90's owners manual. That is a silicated coolant. The newer Dex-cool II(?) is an organic acid based coolant. The two chemical bases are not compatible with each other and in some cases the acid based coolants attack certain kinds of gasket material, causing the gaskets to swell where the contact is made.
I bought some, 1825-M, from a chevy dealer on line for my 90.
Tom
I bought some, 1825-M, from a chevy dealer on line for my 90.
Tom
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
Your 95 and my 95 vettes came from the factory with Dex cool (orange) coolant. If it were MY car, I would flush every bit of green coolant out and replace it with Dex cool. Do not mix or you will have jelly coolant as stated.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 0
From: Portsmouth VA
I would steer as far clear of Dex-Cool as possible. The switch to green has already been made, and there is a possibility that buy switching back you will only create problems. If it isn't broken, what are you fixing? Just Google "Dex Cool" and you'll feel much better about staying green.
In addition, the green still very easy to come by and _every_ car parts store has it. If you were in a real pinch on the side of the road, the dex cool just might not be available on the AAA truck or whoever else is out there. At that point, you'll be forced to tow your vette somewhere or risk sluge in your coolent system.
In addition, the green still very easy to come by and _every_ car parts store has it. If you were in a real pinch on the side of the road, the dex cool just might not be available on the AAA truck or whoever else is out there. At that point, you'll be forced to tow your vette somewhere or risk sluge in your coolent system.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,147
Likes: 452
From: Port St. Lucie West Florida
I went to a local vette specialist-He told me he changed to green antifreeze and flushed the entire system for a few hours.The new antifreeze is compatible with most color antifreeze(prestone)
He also told me of a pending class action suit involving GM and dexcool.I do not know too much detail about this.I hope this helps you.
He also told me of a pending class action suit involving GM and dexcool.I do not know too much detail about this.I hope this helps you.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 17,640
Likes: 1
From: Lenoir City TN
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Originally Posted by bldavis11
I would steer as far clear of Dex-Cool as possible.
Long story short:
01 Grand AM 28K miles and a sludge ring formed in the reservoir bottle, switched to Prestone yellow jug, currently 70K no issues.
03 GMC 2500HD, 5K miles, same as above, switched to Prestone yellow jug, no issues.
When I flushed the above I drove the car with pure water, for two days, flushed with water drove another two days, then filled with Prestone in the yellow jug = Looks like Gatorade
As a side note, the Chevy dealer here switches to green, after of course a flushing with pure water when a complaint arises in regard to the dirty toilet bowl ring in the reservoir bottle.
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Originally Posted by RRT vette
Your 95 and my 95 vettes came from the factory with Dex cool (orange) coolant. If it were MY car, I would flush every bit of green coolant out and replace it with Dex cool.
Your C4 and Dex-Cool were designed to work together. Green is not compatible with the alloys and plastics in your engine. THERE IS A REASON THAT DEX WAS THE RECOMMENDED COOLANT, AND GREEN WAS NOT.
How is it that we all think we know more than the car's designers?
GM also recommends high-octane gasoline for our Corvettes. Why don't we run #2 diesel instead?????? ...or Ocean Spray cranberry juice??!
Anyone recommending green coolant in a car made for pink doesn't know a whole lot about why there are different kinds of coolant.
(And these are some of the same guys who preach "If Mobil 1 is good enough for the factory, it's good enough for me!!"
)Larry
code5coupe
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 17,640
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From: Lenoir City TN
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Originally Posted by rocco16
:
THERE IS A REASON THAT DEX WAS THE RECOMMENDED COOLANT, AND GREEN WAS NOT.
How is it that we all think we know more than the car's designers?
THERE IS A REASON THAT DEX WAS THE RECOMMENDED COOLANT, AND GREEN WAS NOT.
How is it that we all think we know more than the car's designers?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Originally Posted by rocco16
Your C4 and Dex-Cool were designed to work together. Green is not compatible with the alloys and plastics in your engine. THERE IS A REASON THAT DEX WAS THE RECOMMENDED COOLANT, AND GREEN WAS NOT.
How is it that we all think we know more than the car's designers?
GM also recommends high-octane gasoline for our Corvettes. Why don't we run #2 diesel instead?????? ...or Ocean Spray cranberry juice??!
Anyone recommending green coolant in a car made for pink doesn't know a whole lot about why there are different kinds of coolant.
(And these are some of the same guys who preach "If Mobil 1 is good enough for the factory, it's good enough for me!!"
)Larry
code5coupe
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
DO NOT USE DEXCOOL!!!
I've had too many bad experiences with the orange sludge. I am now spending 1600 on a head gasket swap that could be related. I also was quoted a couple thousand to replace the entire coolant system which may have been related but ended up not being necessary. If it's already been mixed it may be too late. I would flush it completely and stick with the green.
Don't want to debate. Just my opinion. Everyone else is entitled to theirs.
Thanks
I've had too many bad experiences with the orange sludge. I am now spending 1600 on a head gasket swap that could be related. I also was quoted a couple thousand to replace the entire coolant system which may have been related but ended up not being necessary. If it's already been mixed it may be too late. I would flush it completely and stick with the green.
Don't want to debate. Just my opinion. Everyone else is entitled to theirs.
Thanks
Last edited by rickneworleansla; Nov 3, 2006 at 01:03 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
Just google Dexcool and you will see lawsuits against GM. Among other things that say Dexcool is no better than the green coolant. In the future I will only change the coolant in my vehicles with what comes from the factory. I have had no problems with it.
I say do what you want.
I say do what you want.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 847
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs CO
Originally Posted by jrzvette
When did GM start using DexCool in the Corvette?
I'm not saying using green is the only choice or not to follow the manufacture spec. I just won't buy another GM until they improve or replace Dex-Cool.
My advise to the original poster is to call your local GM dealer to see if your vehicle falls under the manufacture date of the manual and if it requires green or Dex-Cool. Then you decide which coolant
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,597
Likes: 101
From: TN PA
CI 5-6-7-8-9-10-11 Vet
I guess I'll add some fuel to the fire....MY 1995 Owners Manual states on page 7-45 under engine coolant.....
" 50/50mix of water and a good quality ETHYLENE GLYCOL conforming to GM specification 1825M"
My 95 has had the green stuff in it since new and 77,000 mileswith no problems....????????
" 50/50mix of water and a good quality ETHYLENE GLYCOL conforming to GM specification 1825M"
My 95 has had the green stuff in it since new and 77,000 mileswith no problems....????????
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Originally Posted by pettvette
I guess I'll add some fuel to the fire....MY 1995 Owners Manual states on page 7-45 under engine coolant.....
" 50/50mix of water and a good quality ETHYLENE GLYCOL conforming to GM specification 1825M"
My 95 has had the green stuff in it since new and 77,000 mileswith no problems....????????
" 50/50mix of water and a good quality ETHYLENE GLYCOL conforming to GM specification 1825M"
My 95 has had the green stuff in it since new and 77,000 mileswith no problems....????????
And the band played on.
Jake
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 174
Likes: 3
From: Yorba Linda CA
I've a 95 and my understanding is that they changed to Dex-Cool midyear so the early 95s are green and the late 95s are orange(Dex-Cool).
I've also wondered about which way to go and came to the conclusion that it doesn't really matter. I think the big thing is to change your coolant regularly (every couple of years). I think this is especially important due to the fact that most corvettes accumulate minimum yearly mileage. It always amazes me that you can find an owner who will religously change his Mobil-1 oil at 2999 miles yet is quite happy have the original coolant in his car ("I've only got 65000 miles on the car!") though the coolant is 11 years old!
The most important thing to remember is not to mix the different types of coolant as it causes a sludge to form. Also be careful that any person servicing your car knows of this.
I found if you need to clean the overflow tank- remove it from the car and place some gasoline and a few pebbles inside and shake. That cleans it up really easily. Of course take the necessary precautions as gasoline is highly flammable. Flush it well with water and let it dry out before replacing on the car.
I've also wondered about which way to go and came to the conclusion that it doesn't really matter. I think the big thing is to change your coolant regularly (every couple of years). I think this is especially important due to the fact that most corvettes accumulate minimum yearly mileage. It always amazes me that you can find an owner who will religously change his Mobil-1 oil at 2999 miles yet is quite happy have the original coolant in his car ("I've only got 65000 miles on the car!") though the coolant is 11 years old!
The most important thing to remember is not to mix the different types of coolant as it causes a sludge to form. Also be careful that any person servicing your car knows of this.
I found if you need to clean the overflow tank- remove it from the car and place some gasoline and a few pebbles inside and shake. That cleans it up really easily. Of course take the necessary precautions as gasoline is highly flammable. Flush it well with water and let it dry out before replacing on the car.