Which coolant to use?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 790
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Which coolant to use?
I have a 92 LT1. My system is partially drained (for other work). I'm installing all new hoses. The coolant is currently green (Prestone?). I want to flush her out and replace the coolant. Which coolant is recommended. Is Prestone Okay?
I don't have a cooling problem anymore since going to 160 stat...so that isn't an issue.
I don't have a cooling problem anymore since going to 160 stat...so that isn't an issue.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
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Re: Which coolant to use? (emoshn)
Any of the green stuff should be cool. I think there are some issues with the water pump seal or something if you mix the orange with the green, or use the orange in a system that had the green previously even if it's been flushed.
Personally I flushed my entire system and installed an electric water pump. When I had it all flushed out, and I mean ALL flushed out I put in the orange stuff because it's supposed to last longer.
Personally I flushed my entire system and installed an electric water pump. When I had it all flushed out, and I mean ALL flushed out I put in the orange stuff because it's supposed to last longer.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,759
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From: Round Rock,Austin, Texas
Re: Which coolant to use? (Shylor)
The orange stuff is silicate free coolant. The silicates are what caused water pump bearing failures. That is why they went to this type of coolant.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
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Re: Which coolant to use? (RadPolo96)
Hey.... My '95 has some brownish sludge looking stuff in the recovery tank (low side), dealership said something about "dexcool" this or that when I mentioned it. 28,000 miles and planning a coolant flush and refill soon, I understand it is due at 30,000 miles. I *DID* bring the recovery tank level up a bit by putting in some green stuff. Before putting it in, though, I made sure to check what color stuff was already being used by the system and it was green also (peeked into the high side recovery tank when the car was cold) :chevy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Re: Which coolant to use? (RadPolo96)
I vote green! Prestone is one brand. I use dionised H20 in last flush and mix with the coolant.
Ethlyene Glycol with silicate inhibitor package. 50/50 H20 is standard. Less EG and more H20 = better cooling but reduced corosion protection. I would'nt go below 40% EG without some additional inhibitor additive, especially with new parts in the mix.
Ethlyene Glycol with silicate inhibitor package. 50/50 H20 is standard. Less EG and more H20 = better cooling but reduced corosion protection. I would'nt go below 40% EG without some additional inhibitor additive, especially with new parts in the mix.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 790
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Re: Which coolant to use? (PeteL)
Of course up here (alaska) we use it in everything...but we call it antifreeze. And we run 50/50 or 60/40 antifreeze/water. Even though I don't drive the vette in the winter, it will probably be stored outside. This year I had a few things I wanted to do to her, so she's been in a heated attached garage for about 5 months now.
I'm gonna have to clean the inside of the windshield from going "Brruuummm, Bruuummmm!" while I sit in it. :D :lol:
I'm gonna have to clean the inside of the windshield from going "Brruuummm, Bruuummmm!" while I sit in it. :D :lol:
Pro
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 548
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From: Alton VA
Re: Which coolant to use? (Bgreenard)
Mine came with Dexcool and thats what I continue to run. I flush and replace it every two years. Another good thing about Dexcool is if your dog slurps some of this he won't throw up and die under your car. :U
[Modified by vetsvette, 2:26 AM 3/1/2002]
[Modified by vetsvette, 2:26 AM 3/1/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 8,540
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From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Re: Which coolant to use? (vetsvette)
DexCool is just as dangerous and posionous as the green. Both are ethelyne glycol based. Both smell and taste "sweet" .
There is an anti-freeze that is supposed to be safe, I think it is propolene-gylcol based, but not sure at all about this. Heard it is still posionous, but takes a lot more to do the damage.
GM started using DexCool in 96, but it seems some 95's have the stuff. It is not recommended by GM for pre 94 engines. It is a GM formula that they license to manufacturers; Texaco was first to get approved, believe Prestone also now has a DexCool stamped coolant available.
There is an anti-freeze that is supposed to be safe, I think it is propolene-gylcol based, but not sure at all about this. Heard it is still posionous, but takes a lot more to do the damage.
GM started using DexCool in 96, but it seems some 95's have the stuff. It is not recommended by GM for pre 94 engines. It is a GM formula that they license to manufacturers; Texaco was first to get approved, believe Prestone also now has a DexCool stamped coolant available.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Bagpipes put the "fun" in "funeral"
Re: Which coolant to use? (Glock'94)
hmm.. according to GM you're not supposed to put Dexcool into anything but 94-96's. The 96's came with it but 94-95 could take it without problems.
Race Director
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Re: Which coolant to use? (Thud)
hmm.. according to GM you're not supposed to put Dexcool into anything but 94-96's. The 96's came with it but 94-95 could take it without problems.
Shouldn't make a difference... how is a '94 cooling system different from a '93 or '92?
Shouldn't make a difference... how is a '94 cooling system different from a '93 or '92?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Re: Which coolant to use? (Nathan Plemons)
GM put out a TSB last year that says not to use DexCool in pre - 94 cars. It is posted somewhere in the archieves of this section. I can probably find it again on my HD if need be.
Personally I believe that there are more than seal issues involved: gaskets, areas of cavitation, % air in cooling system, presure cap spring loaded vacuum release valves, other issues. This is a personal opinion.
Personally I believe that there are more than seal issues involved: gaskets, areas of cavitation, % air in cooling system, presure cap spring loaded vacuum release valves, other issues. This is a personal opinion.
Race Director
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Re: Which coolant to use? (PeteL)
I can't say what it does if you put it in something that hasn't been completely flushed out. I can say that I've been running it in my 92 with electric water pump for 10k miles without any problems.
There might be more things involved but I'm pretty sure I remember reading about the seal in the water pump being real important. The electric pump eliminates that seal.
There might be more things involved but I'm pretty sure I remember reading about the seal in the water pump being real important. The electric pump eliminates that seal.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Re: Which coolant to use? (Nathan Plemons)
Honestly don't have enough "fact" on DexCool, it very hard to get the "facts".
I would stick to a two year flush cycle, check pH regularly (if below 6 flush), and flush if any air gets into the system (even from litttle tiny leaks like the radiator cap). I would also run a 50/50 mix only and not use additives. This again just personal opinion, but based upon what I have read and heard only.
I see little advantage to changing a "green" system to DexCool. Recommended flush cycles revert to 2 years, regardless of the quality of flush. Silicates will still be present in the system, with no way to prevent. DexCool offers no cooling advantage over green and costs more, so that's where I am on it.
I would stick to a two year flush cycle, check pH regularly (if below 6 flush), and flush if any air gets into the system (even from litttle tiny leaks like the radiator cap). I would also run a 50/50 mix only and not use additives. This again just personal opinion, but based upon what I have read and heard only.
I see little advantage to changing a "green" system to DexCool. Recommended flush cycles revert to 2 years, regardless of the quality of flush. Silicates will still be present in the system, with no way to prevent. DexCool offers no cooling advantage over green and costs more, so that's where I am on it.