Dexcool Question
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 779
Likes: 67
From: Simi Valley Ca
St. Jude Donor '12
This is what I have been Using instead of Dex Cool
Did you do a total flush as others have posted or just a normal drain and refill?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,115
Likes: 669
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
DexCool and modern Technology
I use Dexcool in my 2002 Vette and the 1998 WS6 and have never had an issue with it, When it comes time to change them Dexcool will be going back in them. I would say that most of the people that have issues with Dexcool was self inflicted. We also have a 2002 Tahoe with Dexcool, Again no issues.
There is NOTHING wrong with DexCool chemical construction. The only problem anyone ever has with the coolant is if for some reason they fail to read their cars Owners Manual. DexCool is what GM wanted to be used in your 2002. There's only one problem with the coolant is if it is exposed to the atmosphere air. Then it does what it was engineered to do and that is become inert. If this upsets you direct your anger at the EPA as they are the ones who decided it's construction and it's use in all modern automobiles built in the United States and any imported.I'm quite sure once you have done a really good flush it will be perfectly clean, but at that point stop, 1. Look over every single hose and your radiator and anything the coolant is passes through. Your cooling system MUST be completely leak-proof. Otherwise the new DexCool will suffer a similar demise as the current 11 year old stuff. And 2. Make sure you change the coolant every 5 years. Lets face it, changing your coolant every 5 years is pretty cheap, cost me $41 every five years to have it serviced. Good luck and please read your owners manual. If you have a 5 speed transmission, . . . I'll bet you clutch fluid is also way overdo for a flush and refill. Good Luck !
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,798
Likes: 8
From: It's true money can't buy happiness, but it is more comfortable crying in a Corvette than on a bicyc
St. Jude Donor '13
Funny. My owners manual is worded differently than one I found in PDF form. Its much more graphic in describing the evilness of other coolants, but still here's the wording about other coolants.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner -- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first.
Notice the word "may", as long as you use silicate free antifreeze you're ok for 24 months, 30,000 miles. Dexcool is a 5 year fluid. I wouldnt leave any type of fluid in any loacation in my car for 5 years.
If coolant other than DEX-COOL is added to
the system, premature engine, heater core or
radiator corrosion may result. In addition, the
engine coolant will require change sooner -- at
30,000 miles (50 000 km) or 24 months,
whichever occurs first.
Notice the word "may", as long as you use silicate free antifreeze you're ok for 24 months, 30,000 miles. Dexcool is a 5 year fluid. I wouldnt leave any type of fluid in any loacation in my car for 5 years.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,855
Likes: 78
From: Sammamish WA
WA Events Coordinator
Mine could have had the original fill (bought my '04Z with 17K on it) so I drained it as much as I could and refilled with a Dex-Cool/Water mix and its been fine. Orange in the Vette, and BMW Blue in the M3....
Racer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 489
Likes: 6
From: Brockton MA
"Prestone® Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant is compatible with ANY antifreeze/coolant – regardless of color – for use in ALL makes or models of cars and light duty trucks. This patented formula provides a high degree of performance durability and carefully balanced protection against temperature extremes and rust and corrosion of all cooling system metals, including aluminum."
Did you do a total flush as others have posted or just a normal drain and refill?
Did you do a total flush as others have posted or just a normal drain and refill?
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: TUCSON ARIZONA
I more than dislike it. First thing I did when I bought the car was flush it out of the system and fill with non-Dex Cool. I had sufficient previous experience with Dex Cool to know what can happen with it. Never ever had a problem with non Dex Cool coolants but then I'm **** about servicing (flushing) coolant ever 3 to 4 years.
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Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 450
Likes: 9
From: SOUTH NJ
I just drain and refill the radiator every two years with 50/50 in the corvette, and every year on my higher millage driven vehicles. About 1/2 of the coolant comes out that way. I have done this with all my vehicles that have a "extended life antifreeze" and never had a problem yet. It only takes a few minutes, a lot easier than doing a complete flush.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 302
Likes: 2
From: Baton Rouge LA
I just pull the rad plug every two years and replace whatever came out. Refill with Dex. Always looks fantastic. 2003 with 71k on it, nothing in the bay has been touched since it left the factory.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 19,548
Likes: 523
From: Ideals are peaceful...History is violent...St.Charles, MO.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'12 thru'22
I more than dislike it. First thing I did when I bought the car was flush it out of the system and fill with non-Dex Cool. I had sufficient previous experience with Dex Cool to know what can happen with it. Never ever had a problem with non Dex Cool coolants but then I'm **** about servicing (flushing) coolant ever 3 to 4 years.
Can't argue with this, green has never been unreliable.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,115
Likes: 669
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
Ah Why ?
Not wanting to be sarcastic, but why would you drain the DexCool every two years ????? The fresh DexCool coolant is good for 5 years. I mean why would you cut yourself short just because it's half the time it is good ? If you don't have any leaks and the coolant never comes into contact with the air, it won't fail you ? Not judging, . . . just wondering.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3,716
Likes: 13
From: Staten Island NY
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Lanark IL
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,939
Likes: 1
From: Summerville SC
Evans coolant is what I use.
http://www.evanscooling.com/products/coolants/
http://www.evanscooling.com/products/coolants/
Last edited by 4deatr; Apr 19, 2014 at 05:16 PM.