DEX-COOL or not?

[Doublebase]

I haven’t seen a dexcool problem in 15 years.

 

I used to change intake gaskets daily because of this stuff on the 3.4’s...usually at 40,000 miles...then again at 80,000 miles.

[Colossus]

The new stuff is safe.  Flush it out every 5 years. 

[Z45]

Millions and millions of vehicles on the road successfully using DexCool for the past 25 yrs. It is an excellent product. Like anything, it can be misused and misrepresented and blamed for things that are not it's fault. The world is a better place because of DexCool.

[beetle]

Yep, old myths die hard, just like back pressure is needed for an exhaust system.

[Ravenkeeper]

6 hours ago, beetle said:

Yep, old myths die hard, just like back pressure is needed for an exhaust system.

Is one of those myths "Crossing the Streams?"  In this case, mixing the colors of coolant.

 

I was informed that you can NOT mix DexCool and the standard 'green' coolant/anti-freeze.

[Colossus]

8 minutes ago, Ravenkeeper said:

Is one of those myths "Crossing the Streams?"  In this case, mixing the colors of coolant.

 

I was informed that you can NOT mix DexCool and the standard 'green' coolant/anti-freeze.

You can, but don't want to leave it in there forever. 

[TXGREEK]

You’re not supposed to, I’ve heard the same exact thing from a very seasoned mechanic, different chemical compositions for different metal alloys. What’s the big deal anyway, just have it drained or do it yourself and fill with DexCool.


Sent from Above

[davester]

Mixing different color coolants:

https://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/28/coolant-color/

 

Basically, they will chemically react with each other, and form a gel.  Not good.

[TXGREEK]

Sent from Above

[Colossus]

So essentially if you do run low on coolant and don't have the same type, put water in there instead then have everything flushed out once you repair the issue causing coolant loss.

[TXGREEK]

So essentially if you do run low on coolant and don't have the same type, put water in there instead then have everything flushed out once you repair the issue causing coolant loss.

Distilled water would be better, no mineral buildup, this way you don’t have to flush it, unless needed to and just add concentrated GM DexCool when you can.


Sent from Above

[flyingfool]

distilled water can have an acidic Ph so you should get a  cheap acid test strip and refractometer from chem lab..these are cheap tools to maintain coolant quality.  

[carkhz316]

Simply mixing Dexcool and plain green does nothing. It presumably takes heat and pressure of the cooling system to have any effect. Some years ago as a curiosity experiment, I mixed a jar of half Dexcool and half green and set it on the work bench for a year, and nothing happened. It was still a water-like consistency.

[Doublebase]

On 1/27/2020 at 8:55 AM, carkhz316 said:

Simply mixing Dexcool and plain green does nothing. It presumably takes heat and pressure of the cooling system to have any effect. Some years ago as a curiosity experiment, I mixed a jar of half Dexcool and half green and set it on the work bench for a year, and nothing happened. It was still a water-like consistency.

It must take a mixture of pressure, heat and oxygen because believe me, you put that stuff in a car and drive with it mixed for a couple weeks??  Cake batter.

[L86 All Terrain]

Used to run it in the Vortec's. It (or something in it) would seemingly eat away a white metal fitting on top of the 350's and you would have to change them every few years, did 2 water pumps on that truck too. Stopped using Dexcool after replacing that fitting on my 98. No noticeable difference in cooling performance switching to a generic green antifreeze. If your truck is under warranty, put the recommended coolant in it. You can put anything in these to get you home though. Last rad hose I blew was on one of the class 8's in the middle of no where, get a jug of puddle water from the ditch and filter it through a rag, keep the rad cap off. You'll get home.