Dexacool?
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Joined: Apr 2007
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From: OHIO
Dexacool?
Does anyone have any info on a GM coolant called "dexacool" or something close to that? It seems to have very caustic effects on aluminum engine parts. I cant find any info in searches.
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
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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
I won't argue with anyone about it anymore but if you want my opinion, get that garbage out of your engine if it's in there now. Use conventional antifreeze, distilled water and a pint of Pencool 3000. Then forget about it until it's time to flush again in a couple of years.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Walton KY
The Extended Life collant from Zerex is a DexCool replacement. I use it in my own cars that call for DexCool. It is all I sell to my customers. Dexcool is basically junk...even from the factory. If you did not mix DexCool with distilled water it "broke down" for lack of a better term. If you mix it with too much "green" it will turn to gelatin in your radiator. The Corvette Kid might be on to something if you want to try a different type. DO NOT DO NOT DO NOT trust one of those "compatible with all types of coolant" brands.
Last edited by dchildress; Apr 23, 2007 at 02:33 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
If you do the switch, flush several times then use the type that is compatible with both for the next year or so. I've used one from Preston that was clear I believe. Then you can flush again and switch to the green if you like. That's the safest way to do it.
Edit: I hate Dexcool.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
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I won't argue with anyone about it anymore but if you want my opinion, get that garbage out of your engine if it's in there now. Use conventional antifreeze, distilled water and a pint of Pencool 3000. Then forget about it until it's time to flush again in a couple of years.
I did this on my vehicles! 
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Joined: Apr 2007
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From: OHIO
Thanks for the great replys. Thank God its not in my 94 cpe, I heard a neighbor talking about how nasty it is. Now that I know what the actual brand name is, I'll do the proper search. Thanks again for the info.
Clean...............
Clean...............
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 2
Wow, should have read this post before.
The service manual recomends Dexcool compatible, so I bought Prestone Dexcool compatible, an orange stuff.
I flushed the system, even got the knock sensors out, just to find this!
Weird thing is that I have been having problems with overheating and now this is gone, but I belive it was because I took care of all the debris of the radiator.
I will be reading more on this and hope that no harm comes from this bad choice!
The service manual recomends Dexcool compatible, so I bought Prestone Dexcool compatible, an orange stuff.
I flushed the system, even got the knock sensors out, just to find this!
Weird thing is that I have been having problems with overheating and now this is gone, but I belive it was because I took care of all the debris of the radiator.
I will be reading more on this and hope that no harm comes from this bad choice!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 0
From: Portsmouth VA
Wow, should have read this post before.
The service manual recomends Dexcool compatible, so I bought Prestone Dexcool compatible, an orange stuff.
I flushed the system, even got the knock sensors out, just to find this!
Weird thing is that I have been having problems with overheating and now this is gone, but I belive it was because I took care of all the debris of the radiator.
I will be reading more on this and hope that no harm comes from this bad choice!
The service manual recomends Dexcool compatible, so I bought Prestone Dexcool compatible, an orange stuff.
I flushed the system, even got the knock sensors out, just to find this!
Weird thing is that I have been having problems with overheating and now this is gone, but I belive it was because I took care of all the debris of the radiator.
I will be reading more on this and hope that no harm comes from this bad choice!
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 666
Likes: 0
From: Walton KY
If you do the switch, flush several times then use the type that is compatible with both for the next year or so. I've used one from Preston that was clear I believe. Then you can flush again and switch to the green if you like. That's the safest way to do it.
Edit: I hate Dexcool.
Edit: I hate Dexcool.
When I do a change over for my customers I usually flush twice as much water thru the system before switching coolant types. On my Suburban with the 6.5 TD I flushed nearly 12 gallons of water thru it (since I have rear heat) to go from DexCool to normal Green. I charge $50 to do radiator flush in my shops and $60 for a radiator flush and coolant type change out. I am sure other shops do it as cheap if not cheaper.
Last edited by dchildress; Apr 25, 2007 at 09:27 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,620
Likes: 206
From: Orlando FL
In my 94 vette I use the green stuff. In my 01 Silverado it came with the dexcool. I’m the second owner and when I got it 2.5 years ago, I changed all filters and such plus flushed the cooling system and replaced with dexcool again.
So far so good but will look closer now and probably do another flush. Sounds like you have to follow the rules closely from what I have read and don’t think I broke any so for. Keep it clean and have a 50/50 mix for starters.
So far so good but will look closer now and probably do another flush. Sounds like you have to follow the rules closely from what I have read and don’t think I broke any so for. Keep it clean and have a 50/50 mix for starters.
