2005 Impala radiator gellling up.

[brick]

2005 Impala with the original factory radiator fluid.Car only has 35,300 miles on it mind you.
Issue is the fluid is brown and going gel like.
Do i have to stay with the factory fluid?Can i just use the good old green instead?
It's been a short trip car,no LONG trips.
WHY does it gel up,is the factory stuff that [censored] to have in ones car?Have heard BAD stories about the factory fluids eating at gaskets.
I will have it power flushed at a auto center soon.
Thoughts???

 

[Stu_Rock]

Is this a 3.4 or a 3.8? The 3.8 has an unpressurized tank and it's my opinion that Dexcool should not be used in unpressurized tanks.

You may use conventional green antifreeze, but think about how yucky cooling systems got in the old days if you weren't dedicated to their maintenance. Another option would be G-05, which is a modern coolant that still has a touch of silicate (Zerex, Ford Gold, or Mopar orange).

Yet another option is Peak Global Lifetime (not Longlife), which is silicate-free like Dexcool, but seems to be less prone to sludging.

I am using the Peak Global Lifetime in my 3.8. It stays pretty clean, but I have noticed a small amount of particles in my coolant since flushing two years ago. I think it is old sludge residue getting released.

 

[brick]

DUH. It's a 3.4.
So is the silicate free better?
Wow..quick post. NICE!

 

[brick]

Me..again! lol.
In the old days i used to change the fluid every 2-3 years for maintenance with never any issues.I will change it much sooner now that i see the gel or "the goo" as i call it.I do prefer to stay away from the dexcool if i can,i just don't trust that stuff.

 

[RF Overlord]

The basic issue with Deathcool is that it deteriorates quickly when exposed to air. There were many articles/TSBs/tech notes published a while ago that indicated there was nothing "wrong" with Dexcool as long as the system was kept properly filled. If the reservoir was allowed to run low/out and introduce air in the system, that's when all the troubles started.

Case in point: my company-issued work van, a 2001 GMC Safari 4.3L, now has almost 90,000 miles, all which were put on by me. It still has the factory coolant (I know, I know) and it is still clean and pink, but I've never allowed the reservoir to run low. What I can see of the radiator through the cap opening is clean, too...no gelling, scale, nothing.

 

[SteveSRT8]

we have a fleet of dex vehicles, not a single dex related problem.

Normally we do not service the cooling system until failure, usually over 200k miles or so. Not to mention we use heat exchangers in stationary operation, a VERY difficult duty cycle.

 

[ls1mike]

By 05 the intake was fixed. You have something else going on there. Who services the car? Did they add the incorrect coolant to it? What about the radiator cap?

 

[Boss302fan]

I would do a full flush/clean system and use Dexcool. Then do a radiator drain and fill every 2 years...

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: ls1mike
Who services the car? Did they add the incorrect coolant to it? What about the radiator cap?


I'll be very curious to know these answers as well.

 

[Boss302fan]

Good idea to replace with a new rad cap...

 

[Stu_Rock]

I looked up the 3.4, and it looks like it has an unpressurized tank as well. I agree that the radiator cap should be replaced--sludge may be propping the suction valve open so that the system never pressurizes.

Personally, I would never refill a sludged Dexcool system with Dexcool (I would be perfectly OK using it in an unsludged closed system). Whether the underlying problem that lead the sludge formation is fixed or not, I don't think new Dexcool will ever make this car's cooling system get better.

If it were my car, I would flush, run a surfactant fill for an hour or so, flush again, and fill with Peak Global Lifetime, distilled water, and two seal tabs.

 

[brick]

I did have an issue about oh...a year ago where i had to add about 2 qts of new dexcool to the overflow tank.I heard bubbling in the system and knew something was amiss and yup,the tank was almost empty. WHY?? I have no clue.Maybe that started the whole problem,pretty sad if just air ruins the dexcool(imho).
Engine wise it runs wonderfull!
Thanks for all the great replies!
Will change the cap also.
I would assume that normal tap h20 is not the best for any system?

 

[Boss302fan]

Use distilled water to top off the overflow bottle. Also, fill it to the higher hot mark on bottle when engine is cold...

 

[brick]

I spoke with 2 mechanics in the area i know,they said that they would suspect the intake gaskets for causing the small leak.
Anyone know how bad gm is with their gasket issues. I know they have not been too good with "quality" gaskets.
They did say the peak global would be a great choice for coolant.
35,000 miles on the car and i'd hate for it to be that intake gasket allready,i know many intake gaskets fail around 50,000 miles +.
Was told...why change coolant when the gasket is the most likely cause.I've know both guys for a LONG time and they do great work but...not everyone is correct on everything.
Thoghts?

 

[Boss302fan]

I thought the gaskets were improved in 2004... You could try (2) crushed up GM tablets in your radiator hose to see if that helps your issue. I was told that BarsLeaks supplys the tablet to GM... Bars leak tablets can be found at many auto supply stores.