Anti Freeze
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 167
Likes: 2
From: Scotch Plains NJ
Anti Freeze
I want to change the anti-freeze in my 2002 coupe this spring. It will be my first coolant change. What is your feeling toward using Dex-cool or should I change to conventional "green" anti-freeze. I know numerous problems have been reported with Dex-cool.
Thanks,
Barry
Thanks,
Barry
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 2
From: Arlington VA
The only thing I have heard about Dex Cool is that it will sludge if air is allowed to enter the cooling system over a long period of time. I think this is more of an issue with poor maintenance or a tech who does not know the ins and outs of servicing cooling systems. I plan to stick with the Dex Cool. I would recommend you have your system flushed using one of the commerical flush machines like the one made by BG. The Tech will have to make sue all the air is bled out of the system. Using a machine like the one from BG should minimize or eliminate the chances of air entering the system during maintenance. Good luck with it.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,996
Likes: 77
From: Louisville KY
I've never had a problem with DexC. My 97 Z-28 Camaro had it and it was fine. At 45k I had to replace the water pump so I put on a new belt and flushed the system then. I sold it with 87k on it and ZERO problems with the cooling system. No leaks, cooled the engine even when sitting it straffic with the AC going. It was my DD, rain, snow, ice, or whatever. The DexC has a longer life than the green stuff.
I am not sure you can switch between the two. Somebody else will have to answer that one.
I am not sure you can switch between the two. Somebody else will have to answer that one.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,836
Likes: 244
From: Dear Karma, I have a list of people you missed.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Originally Posted by BarryR
I want to change the anti-freeze in my 2002 coupe this spring. It will be my first coolant change. What is your feeling toward using Dex-cool or should I change to conventional "green" anti-freeze. I know numerous problems have been reported with Dex-cool.
Thanks,
Barry
Thanks,
Barry
I have been using Dex-Cool since my car was new. I did a flush and change at about 60 or 70K miles. I chose to use distilled water along with the Dex-Cool at the time but other than that, it was a normal flush/fill.
I check the level periodically and I now have 117K miles.There have been absolutely zero problems for me.
One other thing to consider: If the "Dex-Cool myth" (and I think that's exactly what it is) were true, why would Prestone start offering a Dex-Cool approved product? It was AC Delco and Texaco's Havoline that were the only producers of Dex-Cool for several years but not Prestone. They chose to enter the Dex-Cool approved market in order to compete with the other companies of course, not to be on the receiving end of law suits claiming alleged damage to cooling systems by some people. It may seem to some like a small thing, but Prestone invested a lot of time and money to formulate a Dex-Cool approved product.
Stay with Dex-Cool.
