Dexcool or the "Green Stuff? Which to use?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 6
From: NS
Originally Posted by aboatguy
A prior owner switched my 95 to green and I have no problems!
Like other people have said....never mix the two, not even in the smallest amounts. If you search Google you will see why - class action law suits, etc.
There is one other option, Prestone has this new "compatible with all" type of coolant out. I flushed my system last year and replaced it with the new Prestone stuff.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 399
Likes: 2
From: Newtown PA
I have 95 LT1 6 speed that I bought (almost new with 2300 miles on it in 12/95) and it came with the green stuff. In 1996 I switched over to the orange Havoline stuff because I read somewhere that all the 95s were designed and built to use this stuff. I do not know whether this is true, however, I have had no problems with the orange stuff.
The car now has 55K on the odometer and last summer I flushed the system and added the orange stuff again. When I originally changed over in '96, I drained both the block and radiator. I flushed the block and radiator with water 4 or 5 times before I added the orange. I used distilled water for the final flush and mixed the orange with distilled water when I filled the system.
When I flushed the system last summer (both block and radiator), I got lazy and only used tap water for flushing. But I did mix with distilled water when I added the orange. The browning in the overflow tank does not appear to be anymore than I've noticed in any other car I've ever owned which used green antifreeze.
The car now has 55K on the odometer and last summer I flushed the system and added the orange stuff again. When I originally changed over in '96, I drained both the block and radiator. I flushed the block and radiator with water 4 or 5 times before I added the orange. I used distilled water for the final flush and mixed the orange with distilled water when I filled the system.
When I flushed the system last summer (both block and radiator), I got lazy and only used tap water for flushing. But I did mix with distilled water when I added the orange. The browning in the overflow tank does not appear to be anymore than I've noticed in any other car I've ever owned which used green antifreeze.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 721
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte NC, behind someone going 10 under the speed limit
The skinny on DexCool is that GM started coating the inside of blocks and heads with an epoxy layer. Green contains silicate which keeps clean with a very mild sandblasting action. If you use green in a dex car you will remove the protective layer inside the block.
Now, Dex just doesn't react well with air. Keep the system as full as possible.
I heard all this from a retired Buick Tech rep.
Now, Dex just doesn't react well with air. Keep the system as full as possible.
I heard all this from a retired Buick Tech rep.
