ALERT: DexCool Coolant! READ!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,251
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix Arizona
*LINK AT BOTTOM*
Okay guys, I was doing a little research on the internet in regards to the Corvette temperature fluctuating, mainly when in idle. I came across some very interesting information!
It seems that there is a potential Class Action Lawsuit against GM due to their use of "Dexcool" engine coolant. It corrodes aluminum engine parts and drivetrain parts and potentially causes thousands of dollars in damage. This could have something to do with the engine coolant fluctuation.
Our Corvettes come built with Dexcool in it and several websites advise AGAINST CHANGING COOLANTS, that doing so may cause more damage to the vehicle. DO NOT MIX the coolants either, that will cause greater damage.
According to the service manual that comes with the Corvette, it does at one point advise that it is okay to do a 50/50 mixture with clean, drinkable water. Consult your manual for better details.
I'm hoping to bring some potential answers to light for you guys, I know i'm new around these parts, but I couldn't possibly withhold this information.
LINK:
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news0...m_dexcool.html
Okay guys, I was doing a little research on the internet in regards to the Corvette temperature fluctuating, mainly when in idle. I came across some very interesting information!
It seems that there is a potential Class Action Lawsuit against GM due to their use of "Dexcool" engine coolant. It corrodes aluminum engine parts and drivetrain parts and potentially causes thousands of dollars in damage. This could have something to do with the engine coolant fluctuation.
Our Corvettes come built with Dexcool in it and several websites advise AGAINST CHANGING COOLANTS, that doing so may cause more damage to the vehicle. DO NOT MIX the coolants either, that will cause greater damage.
According to the service manual that comes with the Corvette, it does at one point advise that it is okay to do a 50/50 mixture with clean, drinkable water. Consult your manual for better details.
I'm hoping to bring some potential answers to light for you guys, I know i'm new around these parts, but I couldn't possibly withhold this information.
LINK:
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news0...m_dexcool.html
DAMN!
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
True story. And the American consumer is footing the bill, NOT the companies being sued as these costs are ultimately passed on.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 562
Likes: 21
From: Southington Connecticut
I think the Dexcool problem is largely a thing of the past, but watch it carefully. Unfortunately, I was a past victim with my '96 Blazer 3.6 V-6. Very big and expensive mess when it goes bad and turns to mud. Don't believe the longevity claims (back in '96 GM was saying 100K miles). Check it frequently and replace it at first signs of any brownish contamination. Better safe than sorry. Having said that, I think I'd stay with it once a motor has lived with it.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,044
Likes: 9,808
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
An old discussion and mostly based on inuendo and little fact. Sort of like UFO sightings. If it was that bad there would have been massive problems in the 11 years the C5 has been produced and this board would have been really filled with postings about it compared to column lock problems. But there has been none of that (except for a random posting like this highlighting this year old report) so it seems there really isn't too much of a problem.
Bill
Bill
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 782
Likes: 5
From: alexandria louisiana
I read this same 
a long time ago on the forum and checked it out. The vehicles that were damaged were suv's, had a corrosive effect on the coolant system. It did not have anything to do with the corvette. I have had dexcool in my 00 coupe for 47k mi. with no coolant problems. Old topic same ending
a long time ago on the forum and checked it out. The vehicles that were damaged were suv's, had a corrosive effect on the coolant system. It did not have anything to do with the corvette. I have had dexcool in my 00 coupe for 47k mi. with no coolant problems. Old topic same ending
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 17,786
Likes: 4
From: Redsox, Pats, Celts & Bruins !!! Redsox Nation !!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Using Dexcool must caus irrepairable damage as I've had it in my car for well over 100k and the hoses/waterpump still look like new.
Those people need to blame the dealerships that're screwin em and quit looking to GM.
My personal fav quote:
"The product in vehicles coolant systems deteriorates aluminum parts in the engine," Ronald said. "The intake manifold, cylinder heads and timing chain cover are all made out of aluminum. My vehicle needs all these parts replaced."
His problems worsened. "The motor has coolant in the oil and oil in coolant," indicating that the head gasket is leaking. "This is the second time this problem has occurred."
What a tool.
Those people need to blame the dealerships that're screwin em and quit looking to GM.
My personal fav quote:
"The product in vehicles coolant systems deteriorates aluminum parts in the engine," Ronald said. "The intake manifold, cylinder heads and timing chain cover are all made out of aluminum. My vehicle needs all these parts replaced."
His problems worsened. "The motor has coolant in the oil and oil in coolant," indicating that the head gasket is leaking. "This is the second time this problem has occurred."
What a tool.
Most likely paid for the work (changing coolant) and never had the work actually done. I have had it happen and know people who have. You paid for a service and it was never done.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 4
From: NW Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
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Brett Foote
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
Good reading but no problem here!
Perhaps on the next coolant change I'll look to a different coolant style too.
Thanks,Matt
Perhaps on the next coolant change I'll look to a different coolant style too.
Thanks,Matt
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
In a properely contained cooling system, this won't happen.
Granted, that air can get introduced into the system, and be almost undetectable to the driver. So sometimes it's difficult to know when there's a problem or not.
Check it frequently and replace it at first signs of any brownish contamination.
If you don't complete both steps, then you haven't fully repaired the problem.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 0
From: Oceanside New York
This is OLD News, the main problem with Dexcool is when you get air in the system (as in a leak), then it turns to a muddy brown mess.
The culprit was actually cheap GM gaskets, which failed and allowed air in the system, without people taking corrective action on this problem, the mess developed.
I have 109,000 miles on my 1998 and have just completed the second drain and fill with Dexcool. It looks great. I have never flushed the system because the coolant looks so good and the Shop Manual says a flush is not needed. Note that I do drain out all but 2 quarts of coolant when I drain it.
I had even converted several of my previous cars to Dexcool, without any problems.
I will continue using Dexcool, it cools better and protects better than any other coolant, and a five year service interval is GREAT !
The culprit was actually cheap GM gaskets, which failed and allowed air in the system, without people taking corrective action on this problem, the mess developed.
I have 109,000 miles on my 1998 and have just completed the second drain and fill with Dexcool. It looks great. I have never flushed the system because the coolant looks so good and the Shop Manual says a flush is not needed. Note that I do drain out all but 2 quarts of coolant when I drain it.
I had even converted several of my previous cars to Dexcool, without any problems.
I will continue using Dexcool, it cools better and protects better than any other coolant, and a five year service interval is GREAT !
Old news for old cars. C5's stopped production in 2004. That's going on 4 years ago.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,300
Likes: 6
From: San Antonio Texas
Many owners of GM's 3.1 and 3800 engines have found the need to replace the intake manifold gasket. A friend of mine who specializes in selling used GMs says he changes the intake gasket on every GM he sells (prior to sale).
Older members here will remember Zerex anti-freeze from 60s and 70s. Also alledgedly ate up aluminum. My 64 Lincoln always had Zerex in it. When I changed the heater hoses, I discovered that the 6 inch long alum T fitting was down to 2 inches long. I was really surprised to see that, but wife said same thing happens to me.
Older members here will remember Zerex anti-freeze from 60s and 70s. Also alledgedly ate up aluminum. My 64 Lincoln always had Zerex in it. When I changed the heater hoses, I discovered that the 6 inch long alum T fitting was down to 2 inches long. I was really surprised to see that, but wife said same thing happens to me.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Old F'n news... the issue pertained to a certain model car that would get air in the coolant easily.
I've had zero issues. I change it every 2 years in the vette and going to use the factory 5 years or 150k in my canyon.
I've had zero issues. I change it every 2 years in the vette and going to use the factory 5 years or 150k in my canyon.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 17,786
Likes: 4
From: Redsox, Pats, Celts & Bruins !!! Redsox Nation !!!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Last time I checked all metal rusts over time. Even treated metal can rust from the inside out.
But I could be wrong.
But I could be wrong.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,209
Likes: 33
From: Texas-out west
regular water is very corrosive to alum and water pumps, heater cores etc. just changed one on 93 chevy truck and warranty info said void if tap water used, must use distilled....which I bought and did, only cost .69cents a gallon so easy call to make.
