coolant overflow tank discoloration

[tibbitts]

There is a crusty red "ring" around the inside of my coolant overflow tank, at the "normal" line where the top of the dexcool is. I can scrape off the crusty part where it can be reached, but is there a chemical cleaning I could do to get rid of the crust and discoloration?

 

Thanks

 

Paul

[asepgrad98]

you could remove the jug and hose it out, may still be discolored, but hey its a coolant jug not a canteen.

[Victory Red]

There is a crusty red "ring" around the inside of my coolant overflow tank, at the "normal" line where the top of the dexcool is. I can scrape off the crusty part where it can be reached, but is there a chemical cleaning I could do to get rid of the crust and discoloration?

 

Thanks

 

Paul

What year and how many miles? Have you ever added water or anything else besides Dexcool to the tank?

[tibbitts]

This truck was manufactured the week of 12/7/1999. 37k miles total now. Have only owned the truck for 8k miles, was bought from GM dealer. Coolant itself appears clear and bright pink/red. Have only added a few ounces dexcool + a few ounces water since we've had it.

 

Paul

[Ben]

Suggest you flush the DeathCool, as the crusting of the overflow bottle telltale sign of it boiling inside the pressurized system and acidic gel forming.

 

Switch to Green if out of warranty. Debatable and your choice. I've gone to green after almost losing my 7.4L to DeathCool gel'ing and plugging up the radiator.

[Black02Silverado]

The more I searched online the more I found on the Dexcool. Our 3.4 venture engine is in the shop not. Possible head crack, but not sure. There is a rash of intake leaks. I have read several sites that ever since Dexcool came out there has been a serious increase in intake and head gasket problems. Nothing else has changed in the manufacturing of the engines. At least the Venture is under warranty. Hate to pay that bill. Once my vehicles are out of warranty I'm flushing and switching over to the green stuff. Either way then I would have to pay for it and since you never hear of problems with systems running the old green fluid then chances are it will last.

 

The overflow in the venture was dark and had a film on the inside. Took it to the dealer and that is when they told me of the head gasket leak and possible head crack. The thing only has 27k on it.

[dukbludvl]

Is it OK to run any kind of green coolant in my Yukon? I've got the pink Dexcool and it seems to be fine still at 52K miles -- no discoloration or anything. I'll probably flush it at 60K -- I'm not waiting until 100K -- and I want to make sure I use whatever's best. I don't want any intake problems or anything as a result of my coolant.

 

What should I use

[Black02Silverado]

I would stick with Prestone. Just make sure you do a complete flush. Run it till clear water comes out. Don't forget your heater core also. Get it all flushed and pour in the Prestone at a 50/50.

[lrymal]

....I have read several sites that ever since Dexcool came out there has been a serious increase in intake and head gasket problems.

Could you please list a good URL for this? Thanks!!!!!

Nothing else has changed in the manufacturing of the engines. 

Also the URL for this one. Would be a big help!

[cyclejerk]

should I get rid of the PINK at 74K I'm going to flush but had pon using the PINK. What is the difference between the PINK and the trusty GREEN?

[Black02Silverado]

Here is are a few links to check out. The first one, check out the post from QuadDriver. and VaderSS. Green coolant vs orange

 

Here are the other sites I found about GM intake leaks and the causes of the coolant. GM intake leaks

 

Also just do a search on Google for Deathcool or dexcool and it will bring up all kinds of sites with indiviuals and their problems. It really sucks that this is happening. There are individuals with no problems at all but then there are the ones like myself that are having trouble. I'm the lucky one at least it is under warranty.

 

Hope this helps.

[cyrylyn]

most of the problems appear to be due to people trying to out guess their manufacturers and using something other than what's recommended.

 

Green stuff doesn't cut it on today's newer radiators and heads that have Dexcool from the factory. Similarly, Dexcool may damage older radiators or big blocks it wasn't designed for.

[Black02Silverado]

most of the problems appear to be due to people trying to out guess their manufacturers and using something other than what's recommended.

 

Green stuff doesn't cut it on today's newer radiators and heads that have Dexcool from the factory. Similarly, Dexcool may damage older radiators or big blocks it wasn't designed for.

I would have thought the same thing. Untill my Venture had this problem and Nothing was touched since it has only 27k on it. At least you would think that a 5 year 150k coolant should live up to its claim.

 

What gets me is there never was a problem like this till Dexcool came out. I have read several sites of owners of Radiator shops stocking intake and head gaskets for the 3.1/3.4 engines. My understanding to this is in 96 when dexcool came out the problems started and nothing in the way these are being assembled has changed. At least that is what I'm getting from the searches on the net.

 

I found that the dexcool has no silicates (an aluminum corrosion inhibitor) instead it uses 2-ethylhexonaic acid instead. Just seems odd. An acid in the system. Has to be a reason for it but what?

 

I guess it is something more to research. But since the warranty will be out real soon. I'm just taking my chances with the green. Either way I would have to pay for it. Since the green coolant isn't reactive to air as much as the Dexcool then that would be one less thing to worry about, since the Venture doesn't have a pressureized overflow.

[bigtruck21]

Be careful about switching to green. You can't flush everything out and when you introduce green into a pink system, thats when many people were having problems. Do a search in light duty for deathcool or dexcool also a few months back. Someone in florida has a class action lawsuit for dexcool, but gm says it's due to not keeping the system topped off and mixing with non-dexcool.