Coolant question
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: San Antonio Texas
Coolant question
Yesterday my display told me that my coolant was low so I stopped by the store and got some antifreeze. It said it works on ALL models and makes so I was not that worried about it. After I filled up the reservoir I saw that it said it requires special coolant and that you are supposed to mix it 50/50. Do I have anything to worry about just putting in some off the shelf stuff?
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If it was the green stuff, then that should not have been put in the car. Use only DexCool or a similar product.
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There's not much you can do about it now. But I am sure you didn't have to put in that much to make a difference. But I would watch the level for awhile. Usually it will only go down if there's a leak somewhere. Look around for leaks if you find one it should be fixed and at that point replace the coolant. If air gets into the system Dexcool has a tendency of globing up. If that's a word? Hopefully you know what I mean. And you should replace the coolant at least every 5 years. My .02
Melting Slicks
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From: Beverly Hills Florida
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Originally Posted by utrico
Yeah it was the green stuff... 
I guess I should flush the whole system now?
I guess I should flush the whole system now?
Melting Slicks
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From: Silver Spring MD
coolant
First go to your PROFILE and at least show what year your C5 is if it is really a C5. Would be more enlightening to give correct responses.
Mine is a 98 and after about 3 years or 36000 miles it is a GOOD IDEA to replace the existing DEXCOOL coolant with new. I took my overflow tank off and spent about 10 minutes flushing it out as well as flushing the entire cooling system with clean clear water. Didn't use any fast flush like I usually do so as not to eat the insides of the vette engine.
Then refill with DEXCOOL at the 50/50 concentration. Cheaper to buy it full strength and add clean water VS buying the premixed (watered down) variety.
Good luck
BIGHANK
Mine is a 98 and after about 3 years or 36000 miles it is a GOOD IDEA to replace the existing DEXCOOL coolant with new. I took my overflow tank off and spent about 10 minutes flushing it out as well as flushing the entire cooling system with clean clear water. Didn't use any fast flush like I usually do so as not to eat the insides of the vette engine.
Then refill with DEXCOOL at the 50/50 concentration. Cheaper to buy it full strength and add clean water VS buying the premixed (watered down) variety.
Good luck
BIGHANK
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I would follow GM's recommendations on this one. I believe they also recommend distilled water, less impurities. Check your water pump, radiator, and hoses. If you keep losing water you have a leak somewhere.
Drifting
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From: Sahuarita AZ
Originally Posted by TOPLS90
I would follow GM's recommendations on this one. I believe they also recommend distilled water, less impurities. Check your water pump, radiator, and hoses. If you keep losing water you have a leak somewhere.
You should always use distilled water in your 50/50 mix. It is also a LOT cheaper to buy the 100% Dexcool and mix it yourself.
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I always use dexcool mixed 50/50 w/ distilled water available by the gallow from walley world.
Coolant is coolant so you can use the green stuff so long as you do a system flush and swap it.
Dexcool is supposed to last longer.
Coolant is coolant so you can use the green stuff so long as you do a system flush and swap it.
Dexcool is supposed to last longer.
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From: San Antonio Texas
Thanks for the info guys. I updated my profile to show that I have a 97. As for the coolant, I had the system flushed and the good stuff put back in. Next time it would probably make sense to read the user manual FIRST...
Pro
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From: Mt. Pleasant SC
Originally Posted by Cobra4B
Coolant is coolant so you can use the green stuff so long as you do a system flush and swap it.
I know too many mechanics that would strongly disagree with that statement. I have been told that under no circumstances should you put anything but Dexcool in an engine that calls for Dexcool. The reason is that other coolant types mixed with Dexcool causes a reaction that very quickly deteriorates gaskets and components. Even small amounts. I know first hand that this is true with my father-in-laws Suburban. He replaced Dexcool with regular coolant and less then 1000 miles later he had coolant leaking everywhere. $900 to fix that little mistake. Bottom line: there is a reason that our manual says to Only Use Dexcool.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Gadsden Alabama
Here is an article i came across about DexCool. I did not verify its accuracy, but thought it addressed a few topics in this thread....
http://www.imcool.com/articles/antif...l-macs2001.htm
atilla...
http://www.imcool.com/articles/antif...l-macs2001.htm
atilla...
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Originally Posted by AtiLLa
Here is an article i came across about DexCool. I did not verify its accuracy, but thought it addressed a few topics in this thread....
http://www.imcool.com/articles/antif...l-macs2001.htm
atilla...
http://www.imcool.com/articles/antif...l-macs2001.htm
atilla...
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I did the SAME thing about three days ago.
I'
m so used to using tyhe GREEN stuff and always have it on hand.
Anyway the low coolant light came on and I checke dthe coolant.
Sure enough it was just a little low. About 8~12 ounces.
REfilled with GREEN coolant and about time I got it filled up I remembered....... Big UH-OH.
'THey' say you can mix the two HOWEVER I'd rather not.
There are too many horror stories around about Dex-Cool already.
Sooooo... I'm flushing mine and refilling it with Dex-Cool and distilled water.
I KNEW better just forgot.
I'
m so used to using tyhe GREEN stuff and always have it on hand.
Anyway the low coolant light came on and I checke dthe coolant.
Sure enough it was just a little low. About 8~12 ounces.
REfilled with GREEN coolant and about time I got it filled up I remembered....... Big UH-OH.
'THey' say you can mix the two HOWEVER I'd rather not.
There are too many horror stories around about Dex-Cool already.
Sooooo... I'm flushing mine and refilling it with Dex-Cool and distilled water.
I KNEW better
just forgot.
Last edited by VetNutJim; Dec 11, 2006 at 05:11 PM.
