Dexcool or Not
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Glendale NY
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18- '19
Dexcool or Not
I have heard a lot or negative things about Dexcool in the last few months. Is it worth tring to flush the cooling system and add regular anti-freeze? Or are the problems isolated? I have 69,000 miles on a 1998 without a cooling problem......so far. Bob in NY
:steering:
:steering:
Racer
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 298
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From: San Antonio Texas
Re: Dexcool or Not (vette#one)
Can't say for sure :confused:
FWIW, we have 109,000 on our 96 truck and everything is just fine. Last year, I flushed the system (for the first time). There was a little bit of "gunk" when I first took off the cap, but after everything was drained and water cycled through, the core looked brand new :eek:
I'm going to keep using it until there is something definitive out there that says otherwise (like GM suddenly quits using it).
[Modified by John Nowak PE, 2:17 PM 12/31/2002]
FWIW, we have 109,000 on our 96 truck and everything is just fine. Last year, I flushed the system (for the first time). There was a little bit of "gunk" when I first took off the cap, but after everything was drained and water cycled through, the core looked brand new :eek:
I'm going to keep using it until there is something definitive out there that says otherwise (like GM suddenly quits using it).
[Modified by John Nowak PE, 2:17 PM 12/31/2002]
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Glendale NY
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18- '19
Re: Dexcool or Not (John Nowak PE)
John
Thanks for the input. Sounds like a good life, A new Vette, a new wife, and living in Montana. I've been to Montana a few times by motorcycle. Butte, Billings, Missoula, Flat Head Lake, and 2 trips to Glacier National Park. One in 1992 on our way to Alaska. 7 1/2 weeks, 14,638 miles on a Harley. Rode for 30 years, time to take it easy, first Vette, 1998, 6 spd. torch red, coupe.
Remember......Marriage is what you make of it Bob
:steering:
Thanks for the input. Sounds like a good life, A new Vette, a new wife, and living in Montana. I've been to Montana a few times by motorcycle. Butte, Billings, Missoula, Flat Head Lake, and 2 trips to Glacier National Park. One in 1992 on our way to Alaska. 7 1/2 weeks, 14,638 miles on a Harley. Rode for 30 years, time to take it easy, first Vette, 1998, 6 spd. torch red, coupe.
Remember......Marriage is what you make of it Bob
:steering:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
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Re: Dexcool or Not (vette#one)
Depends on a lot of things. For the Florida climate, I dumped the Orange for Prestone Green. Expect to change it once a year. Make sure you know how to flush the orange stuff out real well.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,565
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From: Chicagoland Illinois
Re: Dexcool or Not (1999 White C5 Coupe)
My mechanic has told me that the only bad he has seen in doing radiator fluid changes is that those that leave it in too long (read: Following the General's recommendations) might find that ORANGE gums up...I plan to do the 3 yr whatever mileage (I don't put a lot of mileage on a year) flush and fill of DexCool (Made along with Texaco) :thumbs: :steering: :seeya :chevy
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 39
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From: Norristown PA
Re: Dexcool or Not (vette#one)
I would caution you against using any coolant other that what GM recommends. Coolants today are more that just anti-freeze, They are formualted to be compatible with the engine, the materials in the engine and the rest of the cooling system. They are designed to resist internal corrosion and possible cavitation. Remember the Corvette has an aluminum block and heads. Be very careful with a change in coolants. I would follow GM's recommendations as to coolant type and change intervals. Also coolants should never be mixed. We sell heavy duty trucks and believe it or not those 15 and 16 liter 2500# diesels are just as fussy coolant wise as a C-5. We think proper cooling system maintenance is just as important as lube system maintenance. Incidentally they utilize coolant that is similar to the GM product. However, even though I probably have a 1000 galloons plus of anti-freeze in our parts department, I also have several gallons of GM anti-freeze
on the shelf. I haven't had to add an ounce of coolant to my C-5 since I got it three years ago, but when I do it will be the GM stuff.
:skep:
on the shelf. I haven't had to add an ounce of coolant to my C-5 since I got it three years ago, but when I do it will be the GM stuff.
:skep:
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Re: Dexcool or Not (Grayvette2)
If it was a problem GM would have some massive warranty issues since all of their cars come with Dexcool. Most of the problems you hear about are in somebody's head. I just wish GM would have started using this coolant sooner than 1996.
Bill
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Re: Dexcool or Not (vette#one)
Dexcool is not a problem.
It is the right stuff for our muti-materialed LS1s.
Dex does better at minimizing any galvanic reactions between dissimilar metals.
I have a 96' Impala SS that had Dex problems. IMHO, Texaco(maker) improved the Dex based on the 1st year release problems in 96'. Might be another reason a whole lot of water pumps were put on free!
Th 96' Impala SS LT-1had lots of dissimilar metals in the cooling system. Between that, Leak tablets from the factory and Dex being new, it was a learning curve for all.
You could get a brown gummy yuk! in your overflow tank. Lots to read about if you surf the web. Lots of misinformation too! :eek:
I did a good cleaning job on my 96', reverse flush too. Refilled with Dex & demineralized water. No issues for over 2 years.
No problems with my 99' GMC 4.8 (LS1 design) at 56K miles.
I recommend Dex use where you are suppose to. :yesnod:
[Modified by ALLTHROTTLE&NOBOTTLE, 7:52 AM 1/2/2003]
It is the right stuff for our muti-materialed LS1s.
Dex does better at minimizing any galvanic reactions between dissimilar metals.
I have a 96' Impala SS that had Dex problems. IMHO, Texaco(maker) improved the Dex based on the 1st year release problems in 96'. Might be another reason a whole lot of water pumps were put on free!
Th 96' Impala SS LT-1had lots of dissimilar metals in the cooling system. Between that, Leak tablets from the factory and Dex being new, it was a learning curve for all.
You could get a brown gummy yuk! in your overflow tank. Lots to read about if you surf the web. Lots of misinformation too! :eek:
I did a good cleaning job on my 96', reverse flush too. Refilled with Dex & demineralized water. No issues for over 2 years.
No problems with my 99' GMC 4.8 (LS1 design) at 56K miles.
I recommend Dex use where you are suppose to. :yesnod:
[Modified by ALLTHROTTLE&NOBOTTLE, 7:52 AM 1/2/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
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From: At the beach in little Rhody
Re: Dexcool or Not (ALLTHROTTLE&NOBOTTLE)
Dexcool is one of the better if not the best coolants on the market. There were some issues with it a few years ago, and Texaco and GM did a joint study to determine the reason for systems getting gummed up. The reason, low coolant. Here is a link to the issue. I wouldn't change to the green stuff with the LS-1, it is inferior and won't protect your system as well.
http://www.imcool.com/articles/anitf...l-macs2001.htm
http://www.imcool.com/articles/anitf...ohnbrunner.htm
Be careful with the guidance on overfilling the overflow tank, the Vette doesn't have one and if you overfill the plastic tank, it will expand and could fail. Keep full to the recommended lever and just check it when you check the oil. Larger leaks should be apparent with coolant on the ground.
[Modified by vettenuts, 10:06 AM 1/2/2003]
http://www.imcool.com/articles/anitf...l-macs2001.htm
http://www.imcool.com/articles/anitf...ohnbrunner.htm
Be careful with the guidance on overfilling the overflow tank, the Vette doesn't have one and if you overfill the plastic tank, it will expand and could fail. Keep full to the recommended lever and just check it when you check the oil. Larger leaks should be apparent with coolant on the ground.
[Modified by vettenuts, 10:06 AM 1/2/2003]
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Glendale NY
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18- '19
Re: Dexcool or Not (1999 White C5 Coupe)
I have heard from a few mechanics that the Dexcool seems to eat away at certain gasket materials.
I can't see GM stop using it because that would be admitting there is a problem.
:steering:
I can't see GM stop using it because that would be admitting there is a problem.
:steering:
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,927
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From: Glendale NY
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18- '19
Re: Dexcool or Not (vette#one)
O.K. I'm convinced, I'm going to stay with what GM recommends for my LS1. Thanks for all the input. God, I love this site
:steering:
:steering:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,361
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From: Sugar Land, TX USA
Re: Dexcool or Not (vette#one)
O.K. I'm convinced, I'm going to stay with what GM recommends for my LS1. Thanks for all the input. God, I love this site
:steering:
:steering:
I would stick to the owners manual on this one. Mine says, 50/50 mix of clean water and DEX-COOL with drain/flush/refill at 150K miles or every 60 months since last service. Sure seems like a long time. Doesn't seem that long ago when it was a good idea to service once a year.