DEX cool
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 7,204
Likes: 310
From: Lino Lakes MN
I've had a 96 Olds Cutlass, 98 Buick Century, 2000 Impala, 2002 Impala, 2004 Impala, 2002 Olds Alero and now have a 00 corvette, 06 Impala and 08 G6-GT. All had dex-cool all have been run with no problems, with the exception of the current Impala running 92K without changing coolant resulting in a water pump failure. My lack of attention, does not constitute failure by the product.
Last edited by yaknow; Jan 20, 2012 at 10:44 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 53
Likes: 8
From: Tulsa Ok
Dexcool does not eat the intake gaskets on the 5.7 anymore the the green stuff. Had intake gaskets replaced in my 96 PU. Mechanic said to run the green stuff instead of the Dexcool. Now 10 years later I am adding antifreeze again regularly.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,820
Likes: 34
From: Ravensdale WA
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
From: Ruidoso NM
DEX Cool
Been while since I've seen this discussion.
No one has mentioned that it is also advised to change the coolant as maintenance. I think it's 5yrs if I remember. Wonder how many actually do it? My 99 Dexcool still looked good when I drained it as part of fixing the wreck. I seriously doubt it had been changed. I decided to go back with the same, mixed 50/50 with distilled water. I figure if the stuff was good for 12-13yrs, I'd stay with it.
Rumor has it that Dexcool caused the common intake gasket failures on the previous version of the 5.7 and some V6s. Not so sure about that one. At least the LS1 doesn't have coolant in the intake.
No one has mentioned that it is also advised to change the coolant as maintenance. I think it's 5yrs if I remember. Wonder how many actually do it? My 99 Dexcool still looked good when I drained it as part of fixing the wreck. I seriously doubt it had been changed. I decided to go back with the same, mixed 50/50 with distilled water. I figure if the stuff was good for 12-13yrs, I'd stay with it.
Rumor has it that Dexcool caused the common intake gasket failures on the previous version of the 5.7 and some V6s. Not so sure about that one. At least the LS1 doesn't have coolant in the intake.
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,862
Likes: 594
From: Prescott, Arizona
I am an advocate of three year change interval for Dex Cool and two year change interval for green coolant.
In the Corvette, some old coolant is left in the block at every change.
There are coolant test strips available to keep tabs on coolant acidity, anti corrosion additive and concentration. Different strips for long life coolant vs. green coolant, I use both as applicable.
If you are determined to go beyond three years for long life coolant or two years for green coolant, use of the test strips will give you an indication of when to change.
Acidic coolant, caused by introduction of CO2 from the combustion process, eats metal and causes early failure of water pump seals.
In the Corvette, some old coolant is left in the block at every change.
There are coolant test strips available to keep tabs on coolant acidity, anti corrosion additive and concentration. Different strips for long life coolant vs. green coolant, I use both as applicable.
If you are determined to go beyond three years for long life coolant or two years for green coolant, use of the test strips will give you an indication of when to change.
Acidic coolant, caused by introduction of CO2 from the combustion process, eats metal and causes early failure of water pump seals.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,055
Likes: 864
From: So Cal
Maybe I have a coolant problem??
I just decided last week to take my 2002 to the Chevy dealer for a full coolant flush. They said that there are three colors of Dex Cool and that the C5 requires the orange Dex Cool.
I see that many on here seem to be religously running the green Dex Cool.
Is the dealer nuts?
I just decided last week to take my 2002 to the Chevy dealer for a full coolant flush. They said that there are three colors of Dex Cool and that the C5 requires the orange Dex Cool.
I see that many on here seem to be religously running the green Dex Cool.
Is the dealer nuts?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,862
Likes: 594
From: Prescott, Arizona
PS -The battery acid type of tester indicates coolant density, from which you can deduce concentration or freeze protection level, but does not indicate acidity or anticorrosion additive level.
