falconfling

What is everybody using ?
An earlier thread talked about head gasket failures with orange stuff, I think.

8388

I've heard the same thing about the orange stuff, but if you're switching to the green stuff, make sure to flush all of the orange stuff out. Mixing of both = gunk.

xlr8nflorida

It needs to be the Green Stuff meeting 1825M GM Specifications.

You can get the green stuff at Napa for a Reasonable price.

Don't use Dexcool.

8andSand

Dex-Cool is the Devils water.

Dont use it. I have personally esperienced horrible, miserable, nasty failure cause by this swill in my chevy S10 ZR2

Dont use it.... and DONT mix it with the green stuff. Like oil and water, they dont mix.

Aurora40

There is no pro I'm aware of for using DexCool in a car that does not spec it as the correct replacement coolant.

Paul Workman

I stopped by Marc Haibeck's shop one day last summer, and he is/was preparing an article on the possible risks involved with using other than the glycol-based coolant. He showed me some head gaskets that had failed in the presence of DEXCOOL. Apparently, the resins used in the original ZR-1 head gaskets break down when exposed to the DEX.

Bottom line: Glycol -based stuff is still readily available. What is the upside that warrants the risk of pushing for use in these motors? Why turn your LT5 into a test mule for some miracle coolant manufacture?? I just don't get it, I guess. Why all the constant ying and yanging over whether to use or not use Dexcool in our LT5s. Unless there is no choice (NOT the case), it seems pretty obvious. JMO.

P.

Z51JEFF

From what Ive heard,read there are NO pros when it comes to Dexcool and the LT5.I would run straight water before Id put Dexcool in my car.It sounds to me like people want to run this crap in their cars,if thats the case so be it but not for me.

xlr8nflorida

Dexcool is not for the LT-5 PERIOD.


The only advantage of Dex is the longer drain intervals on the newer cars that call for Dex.

You really don't want to mix the two although its kinda overrated.

If you mix two premium - dex and green, it usually will not make a huge mess, its when you mix premium dex with cheap Ethy Glc or vice versa. Then you get some nasty coolant.

However, if you mix two premiums together, it usually just cuts down the coolant life by 50% so its 2.5 years.

Think about it, it happens at dealers across the country everyday.

AGAIN, IF YOU CAN HELP IT, YOU DON"T WANT TO MIX DIFFERENT TYPES OF COOLANTS AND YOU DON"T WANT TO USE DEXCOOL IN AN LT-5 ENGINE.

phrogs

EXACTLY if it did not come from the factory with it don't use it! No need to test it out Members here already have had to deal with blown head gaskets becuase someone used Dex in the ZR-1 it disintigrated it that is not BS.

rickyricardo

I talked to Mark a couple of months ago, and he recommended texaco antifreeze.

93RubyZ

This is what I used. Was around $10 a gallon.

erikszr1

PRESTONE---Period

lbs90ZR

The all color Prestone appears to have the same ingredients as Dex Cool. Or a couple years ago it did.

xlr8nflorida

Not expert on pre tone but thought it was universal meaning a no go for the lt-5 engine.

lbs90ZR

, actually I wouldn't use it it anything since it's really not specific to anything.

Aurora40

The only silicated automotive coolant that Prestone currently makes is their Low-Tox coolant. It is propylene glycol, though (which is why it's low-tox). They don't make any product that is comparable to the OEM coolant in the LT5 anymore.

Paul Workman

Napa sells the 1825M compliant coolant (the green stuff) - or they did a couple years ago...

P.

93RubyZ

They still do. I bought several jugs just a few months ago.