And I thought DexCool extends waterpump life

[widman]

One of the advantages to Dex-Cool or Delo Extended Life Coolant addresses one of the points in the Car and Driver article. Traditional coolants coat all of the surfaces and reduce heat transmission. These products only adhere to areas that are trying to corrode, leaving more bare metal to transfer heat.
There are a lot of tests with a lot of good results. Maybe the Delo is better for non-GM vehicles. It meets the Japenese and European manufacturers specs, where the Dex-cool meets GM.
As we know from many detailed analysis and experiences with motor oil, not all problems are caused by the fluid.

 

[Christopher R. Wise]

This problem is real big with the S-10 truck and blazer. The full size trucks and cars did not have this problem.

The DEX-COOL works great is full size trucks and cars.

Remember to check level often, if level is low and keeps getting low with no apparent leaks, replace your intake gaskets, they like to leak internally, real slow but over time they allow air in system.

Now if you reseal the intake and switch to regular green coolant but still have a older water pump may need a W/P real soon, I have seen a lot of W/P failures after the switch.

Christopher (X-GM tech)

 

[vvk]

quote:

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Originally posted by nel:
I was in the midst of preparing for a water pump change on our family station wagon ('95 BMW 525iT). Various websites said to use only BMW coolant, and I wanted to really understand why considering the dealer quoted me $18/gallon.

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BMW uses G-48 coolant. You can buy G-48 coolant at your friendly neighborhood SAAB dealer for about $8-9 per gallon. Make sure to ask for "blue" antifreeze. It is exactly the same thing that BMW dealers sell for $14-18/gal.

G-05 is good, too. $10/gal at Mercedes dealers. This uses different chemistry than the original BMW stuff, so a flush will be necessary.

 

[therion]

quote:

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Originally posted by vvk:

quote:

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Originally posted by nel:
I was in the midst of preparing for a water pump change on our family station wagon ('95 BMW 525iT). Various websites said to use only BMW coolant, and I wanted to really understand why considering the dealer quoted me $18/gallon.

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BMW uses G-48 coolant. You can buy G-48 coolant at your friendly neighborhood SAAB dealer for about $8-9 per gallon. Make sure to ask for "blue" antifreeze. It is exactly the same thing that BMW dealers sell for $14-18/gal.

G-05 is good, too. $10/gal at Mercedes dealers. This uses different chemistry than the original BMW stuff, so a flush will be necessary.

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Can i use it in my van with Peak regular fluid in it now?? I will flush and refill with the G-05 in the spring when money arrives.

 

[Mike_dup1]

The problems associated with DexCool are often the result of letting the coolant tank run low. The tank can run low because someone removed the radiator cap and failed to clean the cap seal and radiator neck prior to replacing the cap. If the cap does not form a seal, the system will not come up to the 15psi pressure and this will lower the boiling point of the coolant. This in turn will boil it off sooner and lose coolant. Once a air gap forms in the top of the radiator, contamination begins form from the air and the chemicals in the coolant and its by-products, and a downward spiral of the coolant starts. It would be a wise idea to check the coolant tank often, say once a month. If you notice the coolant level is drooping, remove the cap when the engine is cold, if you see a sings of contamination, have the system flushed ASAP. Install a new cap and make sure that it seals the system.

All to often people think that "extended life" coolant means they don't have to pay any attention to the cooling system at all. But that is not true, you need to check things and when you see something that is not right, have it checked before it develops into a bigger problem. Most of the problems can be prevented with simple maintenance, yes people often won't take responsibility for their lack of care.

[ January 22, 2004, 09:56 AM: Message edited by: Mike ]

 

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by Mike:
The problems associated with DexCool are often the result of letting the coolant tank run low. ...... Most of the problems can be prevented with simple maintenance, yes people often won't take responsibility for their lack of care.

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The real problem with Dexcool is that the morons at GM released a fussy coolant on it's customer base which GM knows doesn't practice very good maintenance.

It was plain old irresponsibility on GM's part. It's a simple fact that most cars in the US are poorly maintained. GM knows this! What were they thinking? That their customer base would suddenly start maintaining their cars properly because GM released Dexcool?

GM didn't test the product adequately to determine if it was suitable for the application. The application being a coolant in poorly maintained cars.

 

[Ed]

I saw an article once that said that GM was dumping texaco in favor of Prestone to supply their coolant. It seems that Prestone "Dex Cool" equivalent is better than genuine Dex-Cool.

Also The initial run of Saturns were all recalled due to a coolant problem, another Texaco/Havoline
problem

 

[novadude]

I had to install a water pump on my '99 Grand Am this weekend. This car only has 65k miles on it. At 45k miles, I did a "drain and fill", replacing the OEM stuff with genuine Havoline Dexcool and distilled water (50/50).

If this stuff is easier on water pumps, how come so many of these cars are eating pumps?

 

[Lance]

The G-12 coolant in my VW has done well for 120K miles. I recently replaced the water pump at the above mileage, along with the water pump. Wow, these cars last a long time!

 

[oilrecovery2003]

Don't listen to all that bull **** . You know what they say about opinions... and you can take mine if you want.

I bought a 97 NIssan Pathinder with 50,000 miles on it. Had the green stuff in it. I went throught the whole truck changing everything from diff's, ATF, oil and antifreez.

It had the green stuff in it. I bought some Prestone cleaner and ran it for awhile., dumped it out. Rinsed with hose for about 10 min's, truck running, heater on high. Refilled with 60/40 Havoline Dexcool antfreeze.. Also added as always do , the Prestone lubricant for the cooling system including the water pump. I change every year. Its cheap for me. I only need 1 gallon of Dex cool I mix with Distilled water and in it goes. NO cooling problems what so ever. In fact, the only thing I have replaced now that I have 135,000 is the front struts with the OEM brand. Great struts. I couldn't ask for a better vehicle. I will NEVER AGAIN BUY A BRAND NEW VEHICLE WITH NO MILAGE ON IT. Give me a year or two old and I'll take over. They cant do to much damage in that time, Prefer a lease vehicle.

 

[M104-AMG]

I've switched all our vehicles to Zerez G-05, aka Mercedes coolant.

Much better for all of them, although I flush every 2-years. Less corrosion and works well with all the different metallurgy (aluminum, steel, copper, brass, and plastic).

neil

 

[kev99sl]

For every story about the evils of Dexcool, there's a success story. I've been running it in my Saturn for 200,000 miles, 3 changes with no problems. (I just replaced my water pump about 15,000 miles ago because the bearing went bad.)

Never had brown gunk. Level has never dropped. Looks as pink as the day I poured it in the tank. Temperature stays right where it always has. Original thermostat, hoses, radiator -- everything but the recent water pump due to the bad bearing.

If you don't trust it, replace it, but I can guarantee you that for every story of a radiator, water pump, etc. "ruined" by Dexcool, there's at least one story about a radiator, water pump, etc. "ruined" by the green stuff. I think it has more to do with statistics and the distrust of the new than with any real problem with the product. Would I leave it in for 150,000 miles? No, but I wouldn't leave spark plugs in my engine for 100,000 miles either, and I don't think that's an indictment of either technology.

 

[VaderSS]

quote:

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For every story about the evils of Dexcool, there's a success story.

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I'd call that ****ing praise at best, and I'm one of those with a sucess AND a failure from Dex. Funny thing is, the sucess was in a car NOT equipped form the factory with Dex, and the failure was in one that DID come from the factory.

I've heard plenty of sucess stories with no failure stories from Toyota red, so I'll stick with that.

 

[kev99sl]

quote:

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Originally posted by VaderSS:

quote:

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For every story about the evils of Dexcool, there's a success story.

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I'd call that ****ing praise at best, and I'm one of those with a sucess AND a failure from Dex. Funny thing is, the sucess was in a car NOT equipped form the factory with Dex, and the failure was in one that DID come from the factory.

I've heard plenty of sucess stories with no failure stories from Toyota red, so I'll stick with that.

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I should have said, "for every story about the evils of Dex-Cool, there are far, far more success stories."

I'll bet, statistically, you'll find little or no difference between success/failure rates with Dex-Cool vs. the green stuff. As I said in my post, I think this has more to do with perceptions about a new product. Look at how synthetic oil is still perceived by some people, or the way stories about Pennzoil sludging up engines continues to dog them.

I know ... let's see ... six vehicles that have been running Dex-Cool for well over 125,000 miles with 0 problems. See, anyone can make overarching assertions based on a small sample size.

 

[oilrecovery2003]

"or the way stories about Pennzoil sludging up engines continues to dog them."


I think you meant Quakerstate!! I would use Extra Virgin olive oil before I used that junk. Worst oil ever made, over the counter that is.

 

[got boost?]

quote:

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Originally posted by oilrecovery2003:
Don't listen to all that bull **** . You know what they say about opinions... and you can take mine if you want.

I bought a 97 NIssan Pathinder with 50,000 miles on it. Had the green stuff in it. I went throught the whole truck changing everything from diff's, ATF, oil and antifreez.

It had the green stuff in it. I bought some Prestone cleaner and ran it for awhile., dumped it out. Rinsed with hose for about 10 min's, truck running, heater on high. Refilled with 60/40 Havoline Dexcool antfreeze.. Also added as always do , the Prestone lubricant for the cooling system including the water pump. I change every year. Its cheap for me. I only need 1 gallon of Dex cool I mix with Distilled water and in it goes. NO cooling problems what so ever. In fact, the only thing I have replaced now that I have 135,000 is the front struts with the OEM brand. Great struts. I couldn't ask for a better vehicle. I will NEVER AGAIN BUY A BRAND NEW VEHICLE WITH NO MILAGE ON IT. Give me a year or two old and I'll take over. They cant do to much damage in that time, Prefer a lease vehicle.

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you bought a nissan, that's why the lack of problems.

 

[rgl]

Mixed results for me with Dexcool. I ran it for approximately 135,000 miles on a 93 Explorer, changing every 2 years or so (bought it with green coolant at about 70K and sold it at about 205K). At about 170K the radiator started visibly dropping coolant out the side tank gasket, replaced it and the system still disappeared coolant into thin air. I figure one of the intake gaskets was going. I told the guy I sold it to but he said he didn't care. The good side is I still had the original hoses and water pump when I sold the car, and both were as good as new. I believe the heater core was also the original, and it never leaked and heated well. So I am not sure what to make of all this, since the crapola plastic sided rads don't last forever and gaskets don't either. But I think it is highly unusual to have a Ford water pump last 205K miles with not the slightest jiggle or leak when pulled on.

 

[Alan]

Does Ford and GM both use plastic water pump impellers?