dex-cool???
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
Do a search or search this forum in C5 Tech (in the red banner) using "dex cool" as keywords.
Those "GM techs" have apparently not kept up with the times.
This is very old news, mainly a concern in the '90s with owners of vehicles who didn't maintain their cooling systems with correct fill levels. At that time, GM used tablets to supplement the coolant. They also used lesser quality gaskets on some components. The tablets, mixed with air in the system, caused "sludge" in the coolant system and gaskets to fail. The tablets are no longer used and gasket technology has come a long way.
It's the owners car to do with as the owner pleases.
Those "GM techs" have apparently not kept up with the times.
This is very old news, mainly a concern in the '90s with owners of vehicles who didn't maintain their cooling systems with correct fill levels. At that time, GM used tablets to supplement the coolant. They also used lesser quality gaskets on some components. The tablets, mixed with air in the system, caused "sludge" in the coolant system and gaskets to fail. The tablets are no longer used and gasket technology has come a long way.
It's the owners car to do with as the owner pleases.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 490
Likes: 5
From: Tampa Bay Area, U.S.A. (Zombie Nation)
Do a search or search this forum in C5 Tech (in the red banner) using "dex cool" as keywords.
Those "GM techs" have apparently not kept up with the times.
This is very old news, mainly a concern in the '90s with owners of vehicles who didn't maintain their cooling systems with correct fill levels. At that time, GM used tablets to supplement the coolant. They also used lesser quality gaskets on some components. The tablets, mixed with air in the system, caused "sludge" in the coolant system and gaskets to fail. The tablets are no longer used and gasket technology has come a long way.
It's the owners car to do with as the owner pleases.
Those "GM techs" have apparently not kept up with the times.
This is very old news, mainly a concern in the '90s with owners of vehicles who didn't maintain their cooling systems with correct fill levels. At that time, GM used tablets to supplement the coolant. They also used lesser quality gaskets on some components. The tablets, mixed with air in the system, caused "sludge" in the coolant system and gaskets to fail. The tablets are no longer used and gasket technology has come a long way.
It's the owners car to do with as the owner pleases.
This is a non-issue.
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
On my second fill of Dex-Cool and after 9 years and 151K+ miles, no worries. This DOESN'T mean I have been ignoring performing periodic cooling system maintenance.
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 666
Likes: 5
From: Mt. Pleasant SC
Just replaced the coolant in my 2000. After four years it looked like new. I'm sold on Dex-Cool. I've never had a mechanic recommend against Dex-Cool; however, they all say DON'T mix ANY other coolant with it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,398
Likes: 2
For a tech to make a comment like that about their product shows about as much forethought as a chimp eating a banana and saying he will never eat another one.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati OH
I changed mine recently and found what looked like gasket or hose material in it. Also, every mechanic I know says to stay away from the stuff. I switched to the regular green stuff with no noticable difference except piece of mind. Have you ever heard anything bad about the regular green coolant? I havn't, but who the hell knows anyway.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Well, the Dexcool in my 2001 S-10 was starting to turn into brown sludge about 4 years and 60k miles into driving it. The level was kept up and I've never had any leaks. I flushed it and changed it to green.
My 98 Vette had green when I bought it and I really have no intention of going back to Dexcool.
I think the Vette might fare better because it has a completely closed cooling system. The coolant doesn't go back and forth to an open reservoir. Also, many Vette's don't see a lot of driving and use is probably what turns it bad more than anything else.
If you're going to run it then just keep an eye on it.
Peter
My 98 Vette had green when I bought it and I really have no intention of going back to Dexcool.
I think the Vette might fare better because it has a completely closed cooling system. The coolant doesn't go back and forth to an open reservoir. Also, many Vette's don't see a lot of driving and use is probably what turns it bad more than anything else.
If you're going to run it then just keep an eye on it.
Peter
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
Well, the Dexcool in my 2001 S-10 was starting to turn into brown sludge about 4 years and 60k miles into driving it. The level was kept up and I've never had any leaks. I flushed it and changed it to green.
My 98 Vette had green when I bought it and I really have no intention of going back to Dexcool.
I think the Vette might fare better because it has a completely closed cooling system. The coolant doesn't go back and forth to an open reservoir. Also, many Vette's don't see a lot of driving and use is probably what turns it bad more than anything else.
If you're going to run it then just keep an eye on it.
Peter
My 98 Vette had green when I bought it and I really have no intention of going back to Dexcool.
I think the Vette might fare better because it has a completely closed cooling system. The coolant doesn't go back and forth to an open reservoir. Also, many Vette's don't see a lot of driving and use is probably what turns it bad more than anything else.
If you're going to run it then just keep an eye on it.
Peter
As I stated earlier, I'm on my second fill of Dex-Cool and have 151K+ miles on the car, so I better be careful. Huh?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati OH
Hmm, the manual says use dexcool. Funny how GM recommmends using only GM products. Its almost like they are a company out to make a profit. They're just trying to sell you expensive stuff you really don't need. I say read the manual and make your own educated decision.
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
Hmm, the manual says use dexcool. Funny how GM recommmends using only GM products. Its almost like they are a company out to make a profit. They're just trying to sell you expensive stuff you really don't need. I say read the manual and make your own educated decision.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati OH
Here is one. "It lengthens the life of your water pump because there is less abrasion". Well I had to replace my water pump after 91,000mi. Thats seems like a normal wp lifespan to me. So I don't see what the hype is about. Oh yeah and my Nissan had over 120,000mi. on the clock when the wp went bad and uses conventional anti-freeze. And at 161,000mi. its still is as reliable as a refrigerater.
I'm guess I'm speculative because in all my years I've really never had a single coolant related problem on any of the cars I've owned. Yet stories about dexcrap are everywhere.
And I did say that when I drained my dexcrap the last time there were pieces of black hose or gasket material in it. But the stories about dexcrap deteriorating gaskets and hoses are probably bogus huh?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
If you want to belittle someone who says use whatever they want or Dexcool isn't better than green than please prove Dexcool is better.Besides, no matter how well it worked for some it was on it's way to turning into sludge in my S-10 when it should never have been according to GM who put it in there.
Peter
Last edited by lionelhutz; Nov 3, 2008 at 11:28 PM.