It seems that it is a big issue on the C5 forum and elsewhere on some of the other forums lately.
DexCool Issues
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Team Owner
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From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
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DexCool Issues
Has anyone changed out the anti-freeze on their C6 to get rid of the DexCool ? I know that StanleyP has and is or, was a part of the class action lawsuit involving the stuff. If you have replaced the DexCool, what did you go to ?
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Team Owner
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From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
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Burning Brakes
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The complaints have been about goopy/sludge-type build up of the coolant. I have an '03 Z06 with no goop/sludge coolant problems. My radiator cap and reservoir cap are also clean as a whistle. Check those caps to see if you have any build up. I change my coolant about every 1.5 years and use Texaco Dex-Cool, the originator of Dex-Cool.
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DEXCOOL...flush and fill a few times 84K on my 99 still going strong no issues
I think people make sh** up to cause drama
do you think if there was this HUGE issue it would still be for sale or still be used by GM and everyone else??
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From: Big Bend Country, TX
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15- '16-'17-‘18-‘19-'20-'21
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Fixed Glad you caught that.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: NOVA VA
The problem with it is that it eats through the intake manifold gaskets on some GM engines. (to the tune of about every 40k miles and the repair isn't exactly cheap.....~$700 if done by a mechanic)
From what I have read, this issue is concentrated mostly on GM V-6 engines though also effected various GM V-8's as well. The intake manifold gasket went back on my old LT-1 at about 45k miles (though it was fixed under warranty)
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Le Mans Master
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From: Thousand Oaks California
DexCool (by Texaco) is OK. Just do not let the cooling system get low. You want to keep air out of the system.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
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My understanding - keep the system in good shape, which keeps the coolant inside the system, and keep it full - there is no problem.
Let leaks go, get air inside the block, and there may be rust formed on iron block areas. This mixed with Dexcool causes the 'gloop' issue.
So, don't do needed maintenance, there may be a problem.
Let leaks go, get air inside the block, and there may be rust formed on iron block areas. This mixed with Dexcool causes the 'gloop' issue.
So, don't do needed maintenance, there may be a problem.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
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I have an '03 Z06 and have used Dex-Cool, distilled water, & Water Wetter ever since it was new. Within in a week after getting the car, I put Water Wetter in it. Water Wetter & coolant will not affect the temp; I use its protection properties. I do the same routine with my wife's Pontiac. Both cars do not have any coolant problems.
So, how is it that you know Dex-Cool and Water Wetter "make for a big sludgy mess"?
Le Mans Master
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From: AZ
St. Jude Donor '06-'08-'10-'11-'12-'13 '14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19
My understanding - keep the system in good shape, which keeps the coolant inside the system, and keep it full - there is no problem.
Let leaks go, get air inside the block, and there may be rust formed on iron block areas. This mixed with Dexcool causes the 'gloop' issue.
So, don't do needed maintenance, there may be a problem.
Let leaks go, get air inside the block, and there may be rust formed on iron block areas. This mixed with Dexcool causes the 'gloop' issue.
So, don't do needed maintenance, there may be a problem.
the "issue" has received lots of discussion on BITOG. Leaks allowing air in seems to be the biggest culprit so if there are no system leaks and your cap is good, the Dexcool should be okay. The gasket issue IIRC is restricted to the 6's, very little V8 issues and the gasket AFAIK. Seems it was actually the gaskets fault and not the Dexcool, again IIRC.
Burning Brakes
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From: Eagle River Wisconsin
St. Jude Donor '08
I didn't hear of a problem with Corvettes. My C5 never had an issue with it. What I heard was that GM had some problems with it on some trucks w/ the 4.3L engine a few years ago.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Wisconsin
I am surprised that anyone would have brought this topic up. DexCool had been in all GM products for such a long time. The only problem that I could think of is IF someone mixed something else into it and it was not compatable.
Melting Slicks
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From: Sun Devil Country
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16,'17,'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
I retrofitted my 1984 C-10 to DexCool seven years ago, and have had zero issues with it. I always use distilled water to mix, and change half the charge every year.