Problems with Dex-cool ???
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,959
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From: Tellico Plains, Tn "Wolf" Official Corvette Guard Dog
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Problems with Dex-cool ???
I have read that there are some problems croping up
with Dex cool antifreeze causing corrossion. Is this something to worry about
http://www.complaints.com/march2002/....march21.3.htm
:cry :cry :cry
with Dex cool antifreeze causing corrossion. Is this something to worry about
http://www.complaints.com/march2002/....march21.3.htm
:cry :cry :cry
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Re: Problems with Dex-cool ??? (FastMover)
No, you shouldn't be concerned. That is old news. The most common cause of the problem was low coolant and people who weakened the mixture under 50/50 mix. With the proper mixture in your car, you have what I believe to be the best protection for our system and all the aluminum parts that it contains. There is a link there to the IMCOOL web site, go read the GM/Texaco paper the was presented.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Victor ny
Re: Problems with Dex-cool ??? (FastMover)
I just got back from a trip to Indianapolis and caught the tail end of a newscast which was featuring this problem.It was reported that many people are having major problems from Dexcool where radiators and water pumps are failing.
They think the problem gets started if the engine gets overheated, which causes rust and coolant breakdown. The problem is worse where aluminum is involved.
It seems like Corvette owners will be involved in the class action lawsuit with the aluminum engines.
It would be helpfull if anyone who knows more about this can keep us posted. Texaco developed Dexcool and there will be a big issue as to who is responsible.
They think the problem gets started if the engine gets overheated, which causes rust and coolant breakdown. The problem is worse where aluminum is involved.
It seems like Corvette owners will be involved in the class action lawsuit with the aluminum engines.
It would be helpfull if anyone who knows more about this can keep us posted. Texaco developed Dexcool and there will be a big issue as to who is responsible.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
Re: Problems with Dex-cool ??? (hhan)
To learn more about this ... look at:
http://imcool.com/articles/anitfreez...l-macs2001.htm
Thiss issue has been around for several years, and the bottom line is that you need to be sure that your coolant reservoir is always filled, and that if you add coolant, that the mix is at least 50/50 Dexron (Dex-cool).
Steve :cheers:
http://imcool.com/articles/anitfreez...l-macs2001.htm
Thiss issue has been around for several years, and the bottom line is that you need to be sure that your coolant reservoir is always filled, and that if you add coolant, that the mix is at least 50/50 Dexron (Dex-cool).
Steve :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,803
Likes: 0
From: Panama City Beach FL
Re: Problems with Dex-cool ??? (BlackZ06)
The best way to use Dexcool is not to keep it for longer than 2 years (for my garage queen Vette, it's a time issue not a mileage issue). It has a good tendency to become acidic and eat away at any plastic or rubber compounds (ie. hoses). Plus it causes gaskets to fail if it becomes acidic and chews up water pumps. Further, it does tend to coagulate as it ages.
For the cost of a coolant exchange, do not run the Dexcool stuff to 5 yrs or 100k miles.
For the cost of a coolant exchange, do not run the Dexcool stuff to 5 yrs or 100k miles.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,959
Likes: 0
From: Tellico Plains, Tn "Wolf" Official Corvette Guard Dog
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: Problems with Dex-cool ??? (vettenuts)
No, you shouldn't be concerned. That is old news. The most common cause of the problem was low coolant and people who weakened the mixture under 50/50 mix. With the proper mixture in your car, you have what I believe to be the best protection for our system and all the aluminum parts that it contains. There is a link there to the IMCOOL web site, go read the GM/Texaco paper the was presented.
but SOME of us never seen to get the word.... Tnx Jim :yesnod: :yesnod:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 0
From: Bristol Ct
Re: Problems with Dex-cool ??? (FastMover)
No, you shouldn't be concerned. That is old news. The most common cause of the problem was low coolant and people who weakened the mixture under 50/50 mix. With the proper mixture in your car, you have what I believe to be the best protection for our system and all the aluminum parts that it contains. There is a link there to the IMCOOL web site, go read the GM/Texaco paper the was presented.
Thanks for the info and link, very informative. It may BE old news
but SOME of us never seen to get the word.... Tnx Jim :yesnod: :yesnod:
Thanks for the info and link, very informative. It may BE old news
but SOME of us never seen to get the word.... Tnx Jim :yesnod: :yesnod:
:mad :mad :mad
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 439
Likes: 1
From: Palm Desert CA
Re: Problems with Dex-cool ??? (FastMover)
This stuff went bad on my wife's GP GT about a year ago. At the time the car was 6 years old. When it went bad it took out the water pump and the cooling system had to be flushed several times to clean out the gunk. The dealer indicated that the coolant was very good, but that it did need to kept topped off and changed no later than 3 years. Dealer also indicated that this stuff was very sensitive to any contamination by other coolant additives or anti-freezes.
It seems to be good stuff, but requires allot more attention than the regular old anti-freeze.
My two cents. :)
It seems to be good stuff, but requires allot more attention than the regular old anti-freeze.
My two cents. :)
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Re: Problems with Dex-cool ??? (Highroller)
Oh I had low coolant due to a bad cap.
http://www.imcool.com/articles/antif...ohnbrunner.htm
Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 568
Likes: 1
From: South Florida
Re: Problems with Dex-cool ??? (lost)
Down here, they call it DEXMUD!!! I have seen first hand some of these cars and it does really make a mess... I changed over my coolant to Zerex G-05 which is great stuff.. It is supposed to be very efficient and I went with a 50-50 mixture with distilled water.
It is used as standard eqpt in Mercedes and other high priced vehicles so I have no problem using it in the Vette... I have also read in some engineering paper that it is one of the best coolants the OEM's have tested..
It is used as standard eqpt in Mercedes and other high priced vehicles so I have no problem using it in the Vette... I have also read in some engineering paper that it is one of the best coolants the OEM's have tested..
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,596
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta GA
Re: Problems with Dex-cool ??? (BlkFRC)
My dad and I just flushed out his 97 caddy (northstar) with 100k miles. It had the dexcool in there from day one. The stuff was pink in color and it had some small particles in it. We got the block and radiator flushed out real good. It was not muddy or whatever everyone says it does. But it was past needing changed. I will change it in my vette every 3 years.
