Dexcool

[jhm]

Was at the dealer the other day and noticed he had a bunch of service write ups on the counter and every one I saw that had cooling system service stated: green coolant flush. Now I assume this meant they were replacing the Dexcool with the green stuff, not the otherway around. Does anyone know for sure if this is being done routinely now? I thought the Dexcool problems were isolated, but now I wonder.

[Norseman]

Was at the dealer the other day and noticed he had a bunch of service write ups on the counter and every one I saw that had cooling system service stated: green coolant flush. Now I assume this meant they were replacing the Dexcool with the green stuff, not the otherway around. Does anyone know for sure if this is being done routinely now? I thought the Dexcool problems were isolated, but now I wonder.

 

I haven't had a problem with the stuff in over 165 thousand miles so I don't know what to tell you.

[jhm]

I havent had any problem with mine, it has been in there for 6 years and 57k miles. I noticed on my write up, they always put reccommended services, they put "green coolant flush" as well. I should have asked the guy when I was there, but you hardly ever get the real answer.

[asilverblazer]

I find it odd that, I assume a GM, dealer/service department would recommend something contrary to what GM Corporate recommends.

[jhm]

I find it odd that, I assume a GM, dealer/service department would recommend something contrary to what GM Corporate recommends.

Yea, it is the dealer. It appears they are getting rid of dexcool.

[Westlotorn]

Was at the dealer the other day and noticed he had a bunch of service write ups on the counter and every one I saw that had cooling system service stated: green coolant flush. Now I assume this meant they were replacing the Dexcool with the green stuff, not the otherway around. Does anyone know for sure if this is being done routinely now? I thought the Dexcool problems were isolated, but now I wonder.

 

I work in the industry and will share what I have seen, radiator shops love the Long Life Antifreeze because it is very good for their business.

Repair shops love the long life antifreeze because it is good for their business.

These same people will use the old Green glycol based antifreeze in their own cars and many Repair shops only use the glycol based in repairs.

 

The long life has gotten better over the years but the early stuff had a bad habit of eating the plastic GM intake manifold gaskets. Vortec engines typically needed new Manifold gaskets between 60 and 130,000 miles when the leaks start.

 

Head repair shops also report an increase of corrosion from long life antifreeze.

 

This is just facts based on what I have seen. Most of these may have been caused by people not changing the long life after 5 years use.

 

We know that the green glycol based antifreeze is safe for 2 years and people trust it.

[jhm]

Was at the dealer the other day and noticed he had a bunch of service write ups on the counter and every one I saw that had cooling system service stated: green coolant flush. Now I assume this meant they were replacing the Dexcool with the green stuff, not the otherway around. Does anyone know for sure if this is being done routinely now? I thought the Dexcool problems were isolated, but now I wonder.

 

I work in the industry and will share what I have seen, radiator shops love the Long Life Antifreeze because it is very good for their business.

Repair shops love the long life antifreeze because it is good for their business.

These same people will use the old Green glycol based antifreeze in their own cars and many Repair shops only use the glycol based in repairs.

 

The long life has gotten better over the years but the early stuff had a bad habit of eating the plastic GM intake manifold gaskets. Vortec engines typically needed new Manifold gaskets between 60 and 130,000 miles when the leaks start.

 

Head repair shops also report an increase of corrosion from long life antifreeze.

 

This is just facts based on what I have seen. Most of these may have been caused by people not changing the long life after 5 years use.

 

We know that the green glycol based antifreeze is safe for 2 years and people trust it.

 

Mine is original from 2001, but has been partially changed due to water pump leaks and replacement. I guess it is time to go green. Aparrently the dealers are doing this, has to be a reason.

[KCXLT]

Make sure you pick a quality brand of green anti-freeze. I used to test anti-freezes at a research lab 20+ years ago. We would set up a test cell with an aluminum ford water pump, heat the anti-freeze and then purposely cause the pump to cavitate. Crap anti-freeze would eat a hole in the pump overnight. Back then it looked like Prestone was the best(no, I didn't work for them).

[jhm]

Talked to my local mechanic yesterday, he had just replaced the front axel seals on my truck. I asked him about the green coolant flush, he said it means they are flushing out the "contaminated by green coolant" Dex. He said he sees it all the time, people let someone top off the Dex coolant with green which ruins it. He says he just flushes out the coolant and refills with Dex.

[zozmanGMC]

There is nothing wrong with Dexcool. According to the internet data examined, Dexcool hasn't conclusively been linked to any engine failures. When it came time to change mine out on the Z06, I used Prestone Extend. If you want to be problem free: 1. Don't let your coolant stay 5yrs/150,000 miles in your vehicle. 2. Get all the air pockets out when re-filling. 3. Don't use any radiator additives. 4. Don't mix different types of coolant. 5. Relax and have a beer.

 

zoz

[jhm]

There is nothing wrong with Dexcool. According to the internet data examined, Dexcool hasn't conclusively been linked to any engine failures. When it came time to change mine out on the Z06, I used Prestone Extend. If you want to be problem free: 1. Don't let your coolant stay 5yrs/150,000 miles in your vehicle. 2. Get all the air pockets out when re-filling. 3. Don't use any radiator additives. 4. Don't mix different types of coolant. 5. Relax and have a beer.

 

zoz

That sounds pretty tough except for no. 5

[alvocado]

There is nothing wrong with Dexcool. According to the internet data examined, Dexcool hasn't conclusively been linked to any engine failures. When it came time to change mine out on the Z06, I used Prestone Extend. If you want to be problem free: 1. Don't let your coolant stay 5yrs/150,000 miles in your vehicle. 2. Get all the air pockets out when re-filling. 3. Don't use any radiator additives. 4. Don't mix different types of coolant. 5. Relax and have a beer.

 

zoz

 

Agreed. Seems like a lot of people complain and debate the topic but few have issues when following the recommended maintenance. Mine hit the 5 yr mark this month and it's getting flushed next week. I'll refill with Dexcool and go another 5 yrs.

[Wingnut]

What is wrong with you people?

 

I usually click on a Dex/green thread and see people blowing gaskets instead of motors.

 

You guys are letting me down...Being all civil to each other.

[asilverblazer]

We aren't talking about Toyota's and how they affect the trade deficit.