Dexcool
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,021
Likes: 2
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'11-'12
Dexcool
OK, anyone know who makes the GM brand of Dexcool? What are the opinions of using GM vs any other brand for coolant??? I realize this is probably not a huge issue, but I am here for the obscure info 
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 247
Likes: 27
From: Edmonds WA
Dexcool
There was quite a discussion on this recently. Be careful mixing coolants especially w/dexcool. You need extended dexcool to protect the aluminum parts in your engine. If you mix other coolants with dexcool it will gel and then you will have all kinds of problems. Stick w/what the factory recommends for warranty reasons.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,021
Likes: 2
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'11-'12
Thanks Mike. I did a search and found what you are speaking of...
I plan to stay with the recommended stuff.
I just wanted to know which brand of Dexcool is preferred.
I plan to stay with the recommended stuff.
I just wanted to know which brand of Dexcool is preferred.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,563
Likes: 2
From: Dallas Tx
Texaco is GM's supplier. Go to Texaco's website and it talks about the Texaco/GM patent on Dexcool.
It is far superior than the green stuff but gets a bad rap from those that don't maintain their car. Primarily not keeping their radiator full or not being full from the factory.
One of the biggest differences between Dexcool and the green stuff is everything floats in Dexcool, everything sinks in the green. So the old green antifreeze stuff just sank all the rust and crud to the bottom of the block and rad and nobody ever saw that crud for many many years. In a Dexcool car, everything floats to the top - so every bit of crud in the system will be right under the radiator cap staring you in the face. Leave an air gap under the cap by not checking the level for 5 years and it will be crud city. Then everyone panics and spouts off about how crappy Dexcool is, when it was really the lack of opening the hood for many years that caused the problem.
But to answer the original question, it is Texaco. The patent probably ran out because now there are many others selling the same stuff. For quite a while it was only Texaco under their Havoline brand.
It is far superior than the green stuff but gets a bad rap from those that don't maintain their car. Primarily not keeping their radiator full or not being full from the factory.
One of the biggest differences between Dexcool and the green stuff is everything floats in Dexcool, everything sinks in the green. So the old green antifreeze stuff just sank all the rust and crud to the bottom of the block and rad and nobody ever saw that crud for many many years. In a Dexcool car, everything floats to the top - so every bit of crud in the system will be right under the radiator cap staring you in the face. Leave an air gap under the cap by not checking the level for 5 years and it will be crud city. Then everyone panics and spouts off about how crappy Dexcool is, when it was really the lack of opening the hood for many years that caused the problem.
But to answer the original question, it is Texaco. The patent probably ran out because now there are many others selling the same stuff. For quite a while it was only Texaco under their Havoline brand.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Diamond Bar ca
Is it ok then to buy Prestone brand that claims they are equivalent to Dexcool? I bought one from Walmart to top off my Silverado, they even have the one that already pre-mix which is convenient in my mind (more expensive since you pay same price but only get half of the concentrated one).
My Vette don't need any yet. Or should we just buy Dexcool from the dealer?
My Vette don't need any yet. Or should we just buy Dexcool from the dealer?
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,021
Likes: 2
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'11-'12
Thank you all for your comments. Even though I believed that what Michrider said in his last post, I thought I'd give it a good run by the group.
I've been tearing cars apart (and putting them back together - successfully) for nearly 35 years, but it's not my main job. Thanks for all the info ane I will have more Q's from time to time...
I've been tearing cars apart (and putting them back together - successfully) for nearly 35 years, but it's not my main job. Thanks for all the info ane I will have more Q's from time to time...
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Ct
Good Info on Dexcool
Go to the Valvoline Web Site. There is a complete explaination about the differences in coolant types. Zerex manufactures all the different types of coolant. The section for coolant is not sales oriented so you cannot be swayed into buying one over the other.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,611
Likes: 5
From: Thousand Oaks California
