DEX cool
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 203
From: Edmonton Alberta, Canada
DEX cool
Hello guys/gals, just a reminder now that winter is upon us and you guys are all checking your coolant. GM calls for "dex cool only" when topping up or replacing coolant. They are not joking, you WILL do serious damage to your engine adding anything other than dex cool! If you add tap water same thing..only demineralized water but perferably dex cool. GM really has this thing figured out. If you add any other product you will damage cooling system, it will begin to corrode and even after many flushings it will continue. 
Please be warned. Do yourself a favour and sleep good tonight knowing, Greetings, Rob
Please be warned. Do yourself a favour and sleep good tonight knowing, Greetings, Rob
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Thanks for the reminder. DexCool is in my radiator.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
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St. Jude Donor '12
I think you better do a google search on the damages that dexcool does. GM has been in many a lawsuits over dexcool and the damages it has done. My friends 04 chev monte carlo came with dexcool and the system was damaged to the point of needing radiator work along with a few other issues. Take a look inside the radiator (when engine is cool), if you are seeing any signs of brown sludge, you have big problems and need to get the dexcool out asap.
Dont believe me, do a search and see for yourself!
Dont believe me, do a search and see for yourself!
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
I think you better do a google search on the damages that dexcool does. GM has been in many a lawsuits over dexcool and the damages it has done. My friends 04 chev monte carlo came with dexcool and the system was damaged to the point of needing radiator work along with a few other issues. Take a look inside the radiator (when engine is cool), if you are seeing any signs of brown sludge, you have big problems and need to get the dexcool out asap.
Dont believe me, do a search and see for yourself!
Dont believe me, do a search and see for yourself!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,301
Likes: 6
From: LAND OF OZ Kansas
I think you better do a google search on the damages that dexcool does. GM has been in many a lawsuits over dexcool and the damages it has done. My friends 04 chev monte carlo came with dexcool and the system was damaged to the point of needing radiator work along with a few other issues. Take a look inside the radiator (when engine is cool), if you are seeing any signs of brown sludge, you have big problems and need to get the dexcool out asap.
Dont believe me, do a search and see for yourself!
Dont believe me, do a search and see for yourself!
F.ck dex-cool. How many formulas do you know for fuel, alcohol, or even water? F.ck Dex-COOL! Plus, if it starts to leak you cannot tell if its transmission fluid or antifreeze. Now, tell me how many antifreeze formulas do you know for "COOL@NT?" and please explain because I will learn from your knowledge?
So, how many different formulas do you know for Antrifreeze/Coolant? Please explain........
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,820
Likes: 34
From: Ravensdale WA
The main thing is do not mix coolants. There are 3 types and they do not mix. They will cause all kinds of problems. There are several brands that are dexcool compatible. They are all the same. You can change to one of the other types as long as you flush out every bit of what is in there. Make sure the container says Dexcool compatible. One of the others is also a 5 year coolant but is can not be mixed with it.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
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From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
F.ck dex-cool. How many formulas do you know for fuel, alcohol, or even water? F.ck Dex-COOL! Plus, if it starts to leak you cannot tell if its transmission fluid or antifreeze. Now, tell me how many antifreeze formulas do you know for "COOL@NT?" and please explain because I will learn from your knowledge?So, how many different formulas do you know for Antrifreeze/Coolant? Please explain........
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
Dexcool is only a problem if air gets into your system. Early GM cars using dexcool had some poor gaskets which allowed air into coolant and caused problems (muddy brown sludge). Of course you should never mix different types of coolant. Otherwise dexcool is okay, I use it.
If you are leaking coolant, check it out.
If you are leaking coolant, check it out.
Last edited by Oldvetter; Jan 20, 2012 at 08:06 AM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
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All the problems reported with Dexcool was always caused by owners either topping up with non-Dexcool compatible coolant or adding tap water. There are no problems otherwise. I have had GM cars all my life and have been using Dexcool since it's introduction and the only time I had a problem was when I added regular green coolant by mistake in my '97 Grand Prix. I paid a hefty price for that. My fault. The Dexcool in my Vette has remained crystal clean and I have experienced absolutely no problems.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,146
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From: Edmonton Alberta, Canada
All the problems reported with Dexcool was always caused by owners either topping up with non-Dexcool compatible coolant or adding tap water. There are no problems otherwise. I have had GM cars all my life and have been using Dexcool since it's introduction and the only time I had a problem was when I added regular green coolant by mistake in my '97 Grand Prix. I paid a hefty price for that. My fault. The Dexcool in my Vette has remained crystal clean and I have experienced absolutely no problems.
Could not have 'splained it better, all problems were with owners even just topping up with some other antifreeze other than dex cool!!! Dex cool is NOT compatible with any other product, except de-mineralized water. I have a friend that experienced this and that is why I posted this warning. He only topped up with a green antifreeze and has flushed his engine coolant twice a year since and still has rust issues (at least 10 coolant flushings) mechanic says some product still is in the block and the only way to do a complete flush is remove knock sensors and have cooland drain thru. Dex cool is not the problem its mixing with some other coolant!!
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 7
From: Pittsburgh PA
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.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
The DEX COOL "damage" occurred primarily in early to late '90s cars, usually in the 3.8L motors.
It was due to poor owner maintenance practices...allowing air in the system, mixing coolant types...and the tabs that GM used to put into the coolant. The gaskets of the 3.8L motors contributed to the problem. The tabs are no longer used and gasket technology has advanced.
All of that is old news but some just won't let it die...
It was due to poor owner maintenance practices...allowing air in the system, mixing coolant types...and the tabs that GM used to put into the coolant. The gaskets of the 3.8L motors contributed to the problem. The tabs are no longer used and gasket technology has advanced.
All of that is old news but some just won't let it die...
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 420
From: Taildragers rule! USA1
I think you better do a google search on the damages that dexcool does. GM has been in many a lawsuits over dexcool and the damages it has done. My friends 04 chev monte carlo came with dexcool and the system was damaged to the point of needing radiator work along with a few other issues. Take a look inside the radiator (when engine is cool), if you are seeing any signs of brown sludge, you have big problems and need to get the dexcool out asap.
Dont believe me, do a search and see for yourself!
Dont believe me, do a search and see for yourself!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 29,065
Likes: 1,839
From: cookeville tennessee
The DEX COOL "damage" occurred primarily in early to late '90s cars, usually in the 3.8L motors.
It was due to poor owner maintenance practices...allowing air in the system, mixing coolant types...and the tabs that GM used to put into the coolant. The gaskets of the 3.8L motors contributed to the problem. The tabs are no longer used and gasket technology has advanced.
All of that is old news but some just won't let it die...
It was due to poor owner maintenance practices...allowing air in the system, mixing coolant types...and the tabs that GM used to put into the coolant. The gaskets of the 3.8L motors contributed to the problem. The tabs are no longer used and gasket technology has advanced.
All of that is old news but some just won't let it die...
Dont mix it and dont use tap water you are good..
Robert
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
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St. Jude Donor '12
Good to hear some success stories. My friends 04 Monte Carlo was dex cool fluids. Now i cant say who was maintaining her car except that it was a dealership. I stopped by one day before she was going on a trip and she asked me to take a look at the oil, water, ect. Her overflow container and radiator was full of brown muck, it was a mess and cost her quite a bit to have the problem taken care of. My 04 Z16 Z06 is labeled dexcool. I just bought it so i better take a look at it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: ALL governments are legalized mobsters, so doesn't matter where I live :(
When I replaced my rad, I did a complete system flush, removing all the hoses to the block and using high pressure water to completely flush everything out then replacing dexcool with regular antifreeze. My mechanic worked for all the big names including GM, and now builds race cars so when he recommended that I switch over from Dexcool I took his advice.