Dex-Cool or not?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
From: Cibolo TX
Dex-Cool or not?
I have a '92 LT-1. I'm getting ready to flush the cooling system, and was wondering if I should replace the glycol base (yellow) coolant with (orange) Dex-Cool. My owner's manuel says use glycol, but newer models (also with LT-1s) say to use Dex-Cool, apparently for aluminum heads.
What's the story about Dex-Cool? Should I switch?
What's the story about Dex-Cool? Should I switch?
Team Owner
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 22,830
Likes: 13
From: Columbus Ohio
CI 3-4, 8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10
Re: Dex-Cool or not? (Yellow C-4)
If you decide to make the change be absolutely positive that all the glycol stuff is flushed from the system first. Dexcool will turn to a muddy paste if mixed with glycol antifreeze.
My wife's Grand Prix came from the factory with Dexcool. Somewhere along the line someone topped off the antifreeze with the green stuff. The entire system was packed with a muddy brown paste and had to be cleaned then flushed. :yesnod:
My wife's Grand Prix came from the factory with Dexcool. Somewhere along the line someone topped off the antifreeze with the green stuff. The entire system was packed with a muddy brown paste and had to be cleaned then flushed. :yesnod:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 873
Likes: 2
From: Whittier ca
Re: Dex-Cool or not? (Yellow C-4)
From all the posts I have read and info I have gathered, if your motor started with the green stuff, stay with it. Do NOT mix the two. You cannot purge the block, radiator and heatercore well enough to change without problems.
There are numerous posts regarding Dexcool/Greenstuff. I would go back and research the posts.
Subman
Remember the Wave
There are numerous posts regarding Dexcool/Greenstuff. I would go back and research the posts.
Subman
Remember the Wave
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,671
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
Re: Dex-Cool or not? (subman)
:iagree: Please don't change to Dexcool. Your LT-1 is not designed for its use. Trust us on this one, IF IT CAME WITH DEXCOOL, THEN USE IT, BUT IF IT DIDN'T - DON'T USE IT :yesnod:
[Modified by Strick, 3:11 PM 7/26/2003]
[Modified by Strick, 3:11 PM 7/26/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,491
Likes: 1
From: prescott AZ
Re: Dex-Cool or not? (Yellow C-4)
I changed from the green to Dex in my 85 and in my current 88. Never had any problem at all. I wanted to use Dex mainly because the lack of silicates means less wear on the water pump and its seals. Even though it has worked great after many years you guys here have bugged me up and I do not think I will use it in my 95 which came with the green. I will be draining the whole system in the 95 by removing and replacing the lower radiator hose. If it looks like all the cool got out I might be tempted to use the Dex.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,060
Likes: 1,166
From: N. Alabama
Re: Dex-Cool or not? (Yellow C-4)
'81 mercedes with Dex for 2 years. No problems. I had drained the block, heater and radiator for engine work. I suppose the combination with residual green may cause problems if one were to mix, but I love the Dex!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 983
Likes: 1
From: Bergen County NJ
Re: Dex-Cool or not? (skeet)
I will be draining the whole system in the 95 by removing and replacing the lower radiator hose.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: harvest al
Re: Dex-Cool or not? (BAM92)
DexCool and the regular stuff are not compatible. If it came with one or the other originally DO NOT SWITCH. You can never, ever totally flush the system of either.
:nonod:
:nonod:
