Are the new Corvette's using Dex Cool? If so are owners replaceing it?
Capt Bob

 

I dunno what the drama is..I have ran DexCool exclusively in my 99 since day 1 and 110K later it is fine...actually I have started using the pre-mix as it is just easier

 

yes. the only time to replace it is when it needs it. and with dex.

 

Earlier problems with Dexcool do not seem to be an issue in the C6.

 

all the way back from 2001

http://www.imcool.com/articles/antif...l-macs2001.php

GM’s Jay Dankovich and Equilon Enterprises’ (Texaco) Stede Granger directed a 2-year study of thousands of DEX-COOL cooled vehicles. Armed with the results, they really didn’t have anything bad to say about the coolant. In fact, they strongly defended the product’s reputation. What they revealed to the audience is that specific models of GM vehicles have specific cooling system contamination problems. And essentially, that DEX-COOL is not the culprit!

 

For those who use Dex-Cool, are you using the GM Dex-Cool or buying an off the shelf version, such as Prestone which sells a GM Dex-Cool approved antifreeze?

When I first got my corvette, the check coolant light came on. Since it was after hours, I went to Walmart (yea... I know...) and picked up a jug of Prestone that was GM Dex-Cool approved and added a small quantity to the radiator reservoir even though it looked full. The light went off and everything has been fine since.

This has always bothered me and I want to make sure the mixing of the two coolants will not have a negative effect down the line.

Thanks

 

Texaco developed DexCool for GM, and the aftermarket versions that are properly labeled are just fine for our cars.

I converted my 1984 C10 to DexCool 15 years ago, with zero problems ever since. Just keep it full, and no air in your cooling system.

 

I believe that Dexcool has been used in Corvette cooling systems since the 1996 model year. Owners have been replacing it with Dexcool at 150,000 miles or 5 years which ever comes first. The only difference between Dexcool and silicated green coolant is the corrosion inhibitor package. Both are ethylene glycol base. The green stuff has a 24 month change interval vs that mentioned above.

 

GM has been factory filling cars with DEXCOOL a very long time. Don't remember but it might be close to 20 years.

 

Close to but not 20 years yet. I believe '95 MY Cadillac North Star LD8 and L37 powertrain.

 

I had a 93 Astro Van but don't remember now what was in it.

 

From Wikipedia:

Certain cars are built with Organic Acid Technology (OAT) antifreeze (e.g., DEX-COOL[11]), or with a Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT) formulation (e.g., Zerex G-05[12]), both of which are claimed to have an extended service life of five years or 240,000 km (150,000 miles).

DEX-COOL specifically has caused controversy. Litigation has linked it with intake manifold gasket failures in GM's 3.1L and 3.4L engines, and with other failures in 3.8L & 4.3L engines. Class action lawsuits were registered in several states, and in Canada,[13] to address some of these claims. The first of these to reach a decision was in Missouri where a settlement was announced early in December, 2007.[14] Late in March 2008, GM agreed to compensate complainants in the remaining 49 states.[15]

There are rumors that mixing DEX-COOL with standard green (non-OAT) coolant causes a chemical reaction that produces sludge in the cooling system. According to the DEX-COOL manufacturer, however, "mixing a 'green' [non-OAT] coolant with DEX-COOL reduces the batch’s change interval to 2 years or 30,000 miles, but will otherwise cause no damage to the engine."[16]

According to internal GM documents, the ultimate culprit appears to be operating vehicles for long periods of time with low coolant levels. The low coolant is caused by pressure caps that fail in the open position. (The new caps and recovery bottles were introduced at the same time as DEX-COOL). This exposes hot engine components to air and vapors, causing corrosion and contamination of the coolant with iron oxide particles, which in turn can aggravate the pressure cap problem as contamination holds the caps open permanently.[17]

Typically OAT antifreeze contains an orange dye to differentiate it from the conventional glycol-based coolants (green or yellow). Some of the newer OAT coolants claim to be compatible with all types of OAT and glycol-based coolants; these are typically green or yellow in color (for a table of colors, see [4])

 

Yes and after five years I replaced it with Dex-Cool.

 

Dex Cool may be OK now.......... but for years it had the name DEATH COOL

 

just remember, as said by some above, dex is fine for your Corvette, and has been for a long time.

but just as there are people who don't check their gas gauge (and run out of gas), don't check their tires (and run on 10 lbs. of pressure which then blows out) --- there are many who don't check their coolant level (and run on low, or very low fluid)-----and that is when dex has had an "issue" or problem.

kinda like people who run low on fluids and decide to take a long walk in the desert..... there's nothing wrong with the tires, the gas tank or the dex---it's the people who drive/own these vehicles.

 

 

I drained mine during my cam swap and used the yellow mix to with any thing stuff. The DEX a cool was causing some nasty sludge in my reservoir.

 

then your car went low on fluid for some period of time. a full cooling system will not get sludge in it. not arguing with you, just saying...

 

After 5 years and 34,000 miles I replaced the Dexcool with the Amsoil anti-freeze.

 

Perhaps you could help focus this issue better if you explained what has prompted your question?