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I want to get rid of the DexCool in my car and switch to a different coolant type. I've done a lot of reading on different coolants (OAT, HOAT, P-HOAT) but I'm left a little confused about what the best choice is. And every manufacture seems to want a different coolant type/brand these days.
Does anyone have any good advise on the best (non-Dexcool) coolant brand/type to use in a C6 is?
NAPS Free means there is NO NITRITE, NO AMINE, NO PHOSPHATE, and NO SILICATE.
I'm currently leaning toward either P-HOAT or NAP free. I know I don't want anything with silicates, or borates. All the Japanese manufactures seem to have gone to P-HOATs, which appear to me (at least on the surface) to be the safest choice. I don't know alot about the new NAP free stuff yet. What say you?
Last edited by CSixDude; Jan 19, 2020 at 11:48 AM.
Just curious.....why do you want to replace the DexCool? I've used it for years with no problems.
DexCool has a very bad history, and none of the other manufactures will touch it. Most other manufactures will void the warranty if you use it in their cars. The 2-EHA (2-ethylhexanoic acid) used in it has been proven to soften and eat away at gasket material. GM had to actually use a different gasket formulation in their cars to resist the acid in it, and they had several class action lawsuits over it in years past.
I know that the gaskets in the C6 can withstand it, but I'd just like to get away from it. It also has shown to congeal when it gets air in it, which is why the coolant tank is now up high on the car, to help purge any air out of the system. DexCool has just such a bad history of known issues that I'd like to go another route with a coolant that doesn't have all these problems.
Last edited by CSixDude; Jan 19, 2020 at 12:05 PM.
Only time I've had an issue was when I was ignorant on coolants and just matched color, I got that brown waxy nastiness forming in the expansion tank. I believe a lot of the reported issues are due to similar ignorance on the subject--I've had zero issues with Dexcool on this car and my 2014 Ford Focus was Dexcool also.
Regardless of whether you think Dexcool is a good coolant or not, I'm looking to switch and would like to get some feedback on alternative coolants others may be using.
Only time I've had an issue was when I was ignorant on coolants and just matched color, I got that brown waxy nastiness forming in the expansion tank. I believe a lot of the reported issues are due to similar ignorance on the subject--I've had zero issues with Dexcool on this car and my 2014 Ford Focus was Dexcool also.
GM spent a lot of time and money getting all the components in contact with the coolant compatible with DexCool and you want to randomly replace it with something else? Do you have a degree in organic chemistry? Yes there are other more modern coolants used (and tested) in other brands but chances are you will create more problems than you solve. I would just replace the DexCool on the 5 year scheduled maintenance and not worry about it.
If you really have to change it for changes sake, make sure you flush out the system really well. The vast majority of coolant problems are caused by people mixing coolants.
Coolant Confusion
