How many of you had proplems with DEX-COOL in your Vettes or other GM motors? I understand Girard Gibbs & DeBartolomeo law firm is investigating claims in connection with a proposed class action against GM & Cheveron/Texaco concerning DEX-COOL. I've not had problems with any of my Vettes (YET) but have serious problems with our '98 Cadillac after ONLY 64K miles because DEX-COOL FORMED A SLUDGE-LIKE SUBSTANCE THAT CLOGED THE COOLING SYSTEM CAUSING IT TO OVERHEAT. I also understand the class action findings include DEX-COOL corroding all parts of the engine it comes in contact with including heater core, water pump, hoses, cap, upper and lower intake mainfold, theremostat and engine block. How would I flush DEX-COOL from my '96 CE? A local Chev dealer charges $700 for a cooling system flush with special flushing equipment and then ONLY reinstalls DEX-COOL!

 

I can't believe the General would leave itself open to such problems. I'm sure their engineers would have tested the product thoroughly before putting it in our cars! Sounds like the nasty trial lawyers at work again!

 

My '96 CE has been drained and refilled (with DEXCOOL). There was no sludge, and I've had no problems. Got 93K miles. My '96 Olds 88LS has over 100K, has been flushed and refilled, and no problems with it, either. I have not heard of any issues about the stuff. It may have to do with that "pill" that some folks insist must be put in there.

 

I also had some sludge from dexcool. Drained and flushed the system and refilled with the green stuff.

 

I have had the sludge problem in my '90 with the orange stuff. However, I also had a very slight leak in the drivers side head gasket - I managed to drive the car this way for over two years. After the head gasket let go I pulled the motor - it was full of the nastiest brown sludge stuff I've ever seen. I guess the exhaust gases may have contributed to this? I wonder because there are so many on this forum that have had head gasket problems with their late eighties/early nineties vettes. Maybe the sludge can be caused by the slightest amount of exhaust gases in the coolant.

After a complete rebuild, I put DexCool back in. The motor currently has over six thousand miles on it and it's clean as new however I'm keeping a close eye on it...

 

Well it only took the general 5-6 years to fix the w inshield wiper problem

 

I also posted this thread on the C-5 "general" forum. Vettenut posted the following with 2 links to great informative sources about DEX-Cool and GM/Texaco's original and revised guidelines:
Check this article. GM and Texaco have done studies and there is a common theme. I guess you'll need to go to his post in C-5 "General" to get to the links that will get you to the stories. Real interesting and worth the effort to get to the source of the publications. His links are titled: DEXCOOL Symposium Paper and One more article

 

I am SO not sold on anything except green! At work I deal with the so-called "extended life coolants" or the red. This stuff is supposed to be so great but since such outrageous mileage/time claims are made about it, few ever change it. I've seen insides of engines that use this stuff to be full of crap, just like any other neglected coolant. Also, it's a complicated process to test it whereas the green can be tested with a dip strip. I'm talking about teating for chemical protection, not just freeze protection. Cooling system maintenance is SO important and the lack of it can cause so many different problems that most just don't realize what they could be doing to their engines, radiators and heater cores. Until proven to me, I would not recommend or use anything except green and I don't care what your car came with. Flush it, put in green and change it every two years at the MOST no matter how much or little you drive it and you will not have any cooling problems other than normal wear and tear. I also use an additive that has been proven to me over many years of observation in the mechanical field to prevent chemical reactions between dissimilar metals and other contaminants. Pencool 3000, 1 pt. in a 4 gallon system at flush and fill time.