'96 - Reddish Colored Coolant??
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
'96 - Reddish Colored Coolant??
I don't know if this has been asked before but I just looked. My LT4 has reddish colored coolant. Is that the correct stuff? Somehow, I just thought it might've been the green stuff.
Suggestions? Thoughts? Thanks!
Suggestions? Thoughts? Thanks!
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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Your O.E.M. coolant was Dexcool. It's orange in its new state, but I don't know what color it changes over to after its service life is up...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: The Black Hole LA
Not to hijack, but can someone tell me what the difference it between the orange and green coolant, and if it is harmful to mix the two. I haven't done this, just been curious about it for a while now.
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
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Dex-Cool is designed to be a long life coolant that is supposed to last for 50K miles. It does not mix with the old green ethleyne glycol coolant. The concentrateed color is a reddish to pink color and with age the mixed coolant in the car may turn a reddish brown.
There are new formulas on the market that are supposed to be compatible with Dex-Cool but IMHO, if you are going to do a flush and refill, you should stay with the same type of coolant. The Havoline (Texaco) Dex-Cool is the same stuff the General installed in their cars and it will work just fine. The cost is close to the same of the new coolants. While Dex-Cool is not supposed to require distilled water for the mix, I would use it as you can buy it for under a buck a gallon at the grocery store.
There are new formulas on the market that are supposed to be compatible with Dex-Cool but IMHO, if you are going to do a flush and refill, you should stay with the same type of coolant. The Havoline (Texaco) Dex-Cool is the same stuff the General installed in their cars and it will work just fine. The cost is close to the same of the new coolants. While Dex-Cool is not supposed to require distilled water for the mix, I would use it as you can buy it for under a buck a gallon at the grocery store.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
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Originally Posted by c4cruiser
It does not mix with the old green ethleyne glycol coolant.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: walled lake MI
i have changed over to the new greenish-yellow formula last year. it is pretty difficult to find the old green stuff now.
i reflushed and filled last week, and no problems.
although i agree you shouldn't mix red with green, Texaco claims that you can mix in small percentages, <10% comes to mind...
i have yet to find results from a scientific experiment that proves mixing red & green causes sludge. but...it's better to err on the safe side and not mix.
i reflushed and filled last week, and no problems.
although i agree you shouldn't mix red with green, Texaco claims that you can mix in small percentages, <10% comes to mind...
i have yet to find results from a scientific experiment that proves mixing red & green causes sludge. but...it's better to err on the safe side and not mix.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
My 96 GMC Yukon came with the Dex-cool. It held up for 100K with no adverse effects in ambient temps ranging from 100F to -15F. Had it changed at 100K.
If you mosey over to the GMC forum and pose that question you will get replys from people of all model yrs 96 & newer that will tell you of the horrors of mixing even 5% of green with Red.
Don't do it!!!!!!!!!
If you mosey over to the GMC forum and pose that question you will get replys from people of all model yrs 96 & newer that will tell you of the horrors of mixing even 5% of green with Red.
Don't do it!!!!!!!!!
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Thanks all!! I've decided that Dex Cool is the way to go. Call it getting religion. Went out and bought some. Now I'm ready.
Actually, the overflow tank was a little low, so I added a little bit and a little bit of (distilled) water. Cool! Pun intended.
Actually, the overflow tank was a little low, so I added a little bit and a little bit of (distilled) water. Cool! Pun intended.
