Dexcool in LT1?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
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From: San Pedro CA
is it still even on the market?
Prestone has a new coolant this is compatible with both green and orange. I would go there.
a lot depends on the year... 1995 (I think) was year 1 for dexcool.
In short, dexcool(orange) and green do NOT mix! They create a jello like substance that really messes things up.
Prestone has a new coolant this is compatible with both green and orange. I would go there.
a lot depends on the year... 1995 (I think) was year 1 for dexcool.
In short, dexcool(orange) and green do NOT mix! They create a jello like substance that really messes things up.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
For a 95 and later, Dexcool was the factory fill. Earlier cars used the green ethlyene glycol solution. Good cooling system maintenance is important when using either type of coolant.
If you have the green coolant in the car and it's clear and not over 3 years old, you should be OK. I would do a complete flush and refill if the green stuff is more than three years old. Use a good quality antifreeze and mix it in a 50-50 ratio using distilled water. How old are the hoses?? If they are more than 6-8 years old, I would replace the upper and lower radiator hoses at a minumum.
If you have the green coolant in the car and it's clear and not over 3 years old, you should be OK. I would do a complete flush and refill if the green stuff is more than three years old. Use a good quality antifreeze and mix it in a 50-50 ratio using distilled water. How old are the hoses?? If they are more than 6-8 years old, I would replace the upper and lower radiator hoses at a minumum.
Large Impressive Member
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
As a professional wrench for over 30 years, I wouldn't use it in anything. But that's as close as I'll come to getting involved in this potential argument.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
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From: [Quote=WOEII] Is dried brown doodie powders man! [/Quote]
Originally Posted by Corvette Kid NC
As a professional wrench for over 30 years, I wouldn't use it in anything. But that's as close as I'll come to getting involved in this potential argument.
As a semi pro wrencher since I could drive (14 years) and having a pro wrencher in the family who also did it for 30 years,
I have a 98 olds intrigue with that crap in it and it sludged up without any help from anything, same with my 97 DD crapalier. I recently flushed it and put in normal green coolant. Apparently flushing wasn't enough. Even though the water ran clear my coolant isn't green anymore
and I have to do it again.If the Dex is already in the motor, and your coolant over flow tank, radiator cap, and thermostat arent covered in sludge (yet) you'll be okay. If you don't have the Dex in it, make like forrest gump and run as far away from it as you can
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 456
Likes: 3
From: Sumner Texas
Yes, this is a potential argument alright, and I will not let Dexcool get anywhere close to any vehicle of mine.
I use prestone and distilled water and change it every couple of years or less.
Good luck,
I use prestone and distilled water and change it every couple of years or less.
Good luck,
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 920
Likes: 1
From: Shelby Township Michigan
Just for an extra 2 cents worth, my sources tell me not to use the Prestone that works for either type of coolant. I would recommend to stay with whatever you have that is working for you.
Good luck,
Dino
Good luck,
Dino
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by dino89vette
Just for an extra 2 cents worth, my sources tell me not to use the Prestone that works for either type of coolant. I would recommend to stay with whatever you have that is working for you.
Good luck,
Dino
Good luck,
Dino
Conventional antifreeze, distilled water and this:
http://www.penray.com/hdcatalog/liquid3000.htm
I've got years of experience with this product both in my vehicles and in fleet vehicles I work on. You could not keep your system any cleaner if you flushed it every 30 days.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 6
From: NS
Originally Posted by c4cruiser
For a 95 and later, Dexcool was the factory fill.
If you are going to change it, be sure to do a good flush including removing the knock sensors to drain the block. Fill with clean water, run the engine to warm it up, drain and repeat a few times.
[Edit]
Just checked my Service Manual. Page 6B-6...."Use a 50/50 mixture of high-quality ethylene glycol antifreeze, GM specification 1825-M..."
That's the green stuff. So it looks to me like '96 is the first year for Dexcool in Vettes.
Last edited by Atok; Dec 2, 2005 at 07:33 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
If your car came with, Dexcool is ok.
There is a new breed of green coolant which is compatible with both old green and Dexcool (orange). It should fix many of these problems.
I have used the new stuff, and it's very nice indeed.
This is an interesting question... where does one recycle coolant?
There is a new breed of green coolant which is compatible with both old green and Dexcool (orange). It should fix many of these problems.
I have used the new stuff, and it's very nice indeed.
This is an interesting question... where does one recycle coolant?
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 14
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Your best bet is to stick with what came in it. If you mix coolants (even different brands of the same type) you run a great risk of starting a chemical reaction between the additive packages in the different brands. This can become acidic and will destroy aluminum components. Radiator, heater core, head gasket etc. Especially aluminum heads with a cast iron block. Electrolysis begins where the disimiliar metals meet. Poor grounds on accessories can cause an electrical charge in the coolant that is devastating to aluminum components. As little as a few tenth's of a volt is all it takes. I have seen new radiators spring multiple leaks in as little as a few weeks as a result of this.
All of the big three have this problem but GM is the worst by far. There are multiple TSB's for the proper cooling system maintainance of GM vehicles across the board.
Just my .02
All of the big three have this problem but GM is the worst by far. There are multiple TSB's for the proper cooling system maintainance of GM vehicles across the board.
Just my .02
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: I have no tolerence for liberals and fools, but sometimes i repeat myself
CI 3-5-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by bogus
This is an interesting question... where does one recycle coolant?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 377
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From: Tucson Ariz
There seem to be alot of strong opinions on the subject. The previous owner had put Dexcool in the '94 which promted my question. I've had Dexcool in my C5 for many years with good results. I did not know about the difference between brands though. I've been using which ever one I could get on sale.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,413
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From: The Old Dominion
Originally Posted by Corvette Kid NC
I won't use any new coolants after all of the problems I've seen with them over the years. It would take years of proof before I'd switch from ethylene glycol.
I have a hard time finding silicated coolant around me. It's all Dex-Cool or hybrid stuff like the Prestone that mixes with both. I personally would stick with what the car came with. I've had no problems with Dex-Cool in my Aurora, but I'll stick with silicated green stuff in the Corvette. It works, so why change. I realize that's not the best argument, but it's not the worst either.
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by Aurora40
Just FYI, but Dex-Cool and the Prestone stuff is ethylene glycol also. Typically the only coolants that aren't are "low-tox" ones that are Propylene Glycol. The difference in Dex-Cool is the protection additives. They aren't silicates like in conventional green coolant.
I have a hard time finding silicated coolant around me. It's all Dex-Cool or hybrid stuff like the Prestone that mixes with both. I personally would stick with what the car came with. I've had no problems with Dex-Cool in my Aurora, but I'll stick with silicated green stuff in the Corvette. It works, so why change. I realize that's not the best argument, but it's not the worst either.
I have a hard time finding silicated coolant around me. It's all Dex-Cool or hybrid stuff like the Prestone that mixes with both. I personally would stick with what the car came with. I've had no problems with Dex-Cool in my Aurora, but I'll stick with silicated green stuff in the Corvette. It works, so why change. I realize that's not the best argument, but it's not the worst either.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
From: Kalamazoo MI
Originally Posted by vetteman9368
the toilet
Very not cool to dump antifreeze. Some parts stores will take it. I have a Lube Shoppe next to where I work that takes it too.
My brother has a 2000 Grand Am with dexcool and there was an issue with the coolant eating the lower intake manifold gasket. GM eventually introduced a new gasket material but it was a pain to replace. From my understanding the dexcool has better cooling properties and also eventually bonds to metals in the block to prevent corrosion, but unfortunately it eats some gasket materials.
Last edited by k99ja04; Dec 3, 2005 at 03:09 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,532
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From: Lahaina Hi
I have had the Orange stuff in my 94 for 3 years and no problems .
I don't mix it with anything 100%.
My car does have a 160 stat and it runs at 185 w/o the A/C.Car runs about 210 with the A/C on.
No problems yet.When I added it I changed the opti and the waterpump.No gunk in the cap or recovery tank yet, but I keep looking.
I thought I would try it, because the newer cars were running it .
I run the 50 /50 in my 86.
I don't mix it with anything 100%.
My car does have a 160 stat and it runs at 185 w/o the A/C.Car runs about 210 with the A/C on.
No problems yet.When I added it I changed the opti and the waterpump.No gunk in the cap or recovery tank yet, but I keep looking.
I thought I would try it, because the newer cars were running it .
I run the 50 /50 in my 86.