In my service manual, it says after changing the engine coolant to put in six coolant pellets. I bought some at the GM dealer and them things are huge! Are they out of their minds? I know if the Opti gets wet, its trash, but I sure don't want to clog up my rad and heater core. I think I'll take my chances without them. What do you guys think?

 

I use them like the book says. Never had a problem with anything blocking up.

 

I thought the same thing! The manual said use six. I thought they'd be the size of a BB. When I bought them, they're almost the size of a golf ball. I asked the parts manager and he said to just use one.

 

Those pellets have been around a long time. I've been using them for at least 25 years, in many different types of vehicles, and never had a problem. They certainly do the job at stopping leaks.
:cheers:

 

I know a lot of guys who run LT1's and none of them have leaks, none of them use the coolant pellets either. Myself included.

 

I have been using the pellets for 10 yrs. According to a good friend at chevy, they also lubricate the cooling system including the pump. I put all 6 into a small plastic tupaware (I stole from the wire's kitchen) and crush them up with a small hammer. I also use only distilled water to make a 50-50 mix with antifreeze and completely change out the coolant once a year; fathfully. Knock on wood here...but I have NEVER had a cooling problem of any kind and the car is 10 yrs old. Go figure.


[Modified by ittlfly, 6:56 AM 3/18/2002]


[Modified by ittlfly, 6:24 PM 3/18/2002]

 

Thanks to the replies. I also only use distilled water for the mix in my vette and truck. (My poor daily driven buick gets whatever is around). This almost sounds like a good topic for a poll. Those coolant pellets remind me of the stop leak in a bottle, just that it seems like there is a lot more material in the pellets than the stop leak. It may even be possible that the pellets are good for the whole system. I was kind of surprised to hear some of the people that posted this question have been using them for years with no problems. I think that I think about stuff too much. :crazy:

Thanks.
:cheers:

 

Last time I looked at that package (long time ago) the contents were listed as something like:

Sal Soda
Almond Shell
Tumeric?

So the Sal Soda is something like baking soda to control pH?
Almond Shell I figured is the "plug it up" stuff
Tumeric - to make it tastyie?

Gm put out a TSB that no longer recommends using the sealing pellets, but not clear if this means only with the orange/ red coolant DexCool or with all coolants.

Personally I stopped using it.

Pete

 

I just get a hammer and smash um too.

 

Ditto.. never used the pellets.

 

I'll second the thought that they aren't compatible with Dex Cool (Orange stuff). I've used them in my cars with glycol (green) antifreeze with no problems for 3 years now.

 

For the 96 LT-1, I got the following from the Service Manual.

According to the Service manual, the reason for pellets is to fill the
pores and help to prevent erosion to the all aluminum engine. They
are to be used with Dex-Cool, which is the required anti-freeze.

As said above, distilled water should be used along with Dex-Cool
at 50/50 per cent and the entire package of tablets, crushed.

However, that being said, I noted that someone on the forum said
there is a Service Bulletin out which says to discontinue the use
of these pellets. But, I can't find anyone else that has seen the bulletin.

 

It is TSB 00-06-02-006


Says in part:

Sealing Tablets

Sealing tablets are not used at the assembly plant for most models. Sealing tablets are generally not necessary and should not
be used as a regular maintenance item after servicing an engine cooling system. The use of sealing tablets can, in some cases,
produce contamination of the cooling system and/or severe discoloration of coolant.

Water Quality

Engine coolant is a combination of antifreeze and water. The integrity of any coolant is dependent upon the quality of both
components. For this reason, be sure to use clean, drinkable water when mixing coolants. If clean, drinkable water is not
available, use de-ionized water available from most grocers.

Pink Colored DEX-COOL®

DEX-COOL® is orange in color to distinguish it from other coolants. Due to inconsistencies in the mixing of the dyes used with
DEX-COOL®, some batches may appear pink after time. The color shift from orange to pink does not affect the integrity of
the coolant and still maintains the 5 year/150,000 mile (240,000 km) service interval. General Motors is currently pursuing a
course of action which will stabilize the color of DEX-COOL® in the field.

Back Service

Only use DEX-COOL® if the vehicle was originally equipped with DEX-COOL®. The only exception to this is for 1994 and
1995 models (excluding the 1994 J-body with 4 cylinder engines), in which case the use of DEX-COOL® is advocated for
enhanced water pump seal durability. If DEX-COOL® is used in 1994 and 1995 models, all "green" coolant must be
removed. This can be accomplished by using a coolant exchanger. Refer to the Equipment section of this bulletin for more
information about coolant exchangers. The service interval for DEX-COOL® in 1994-1995 models is 2 years/30,000 miles
(50,000 km).


HTH

Pete