Coolant Situation

[00Molavi]

New to the forum and 1st post-great info by the way.

Have a 2000 Dodge Caravan 3.3. Owner's manual calls for HAOT coolant. The shop put the Prestone Dexcool that says can be used on Ford and CHrysler too in when doing a drain and refill. Bought my own Zerex HOAT and took the car back, asked for a flush and refill but they did a drain and refill. Got more than 2 gallons out and the capacity is around 3 gallons. Is the small amount of Prestone Dexcool in the system going to give me big headaches or should I forget about it now and just do another drain and refill like in a year.

Thanks in advance.

 

[The Critic]

DC prefers the HOAT type coolant as the small amount of silicate contained provides better protection against water pump cavitation compared to a strict OAT based coolant such as Dexcool, which contains no silicates or phosphates. HOAT as I recall, does not contain the controversial 2-EHA ingredient found in DexCool, which some automakers believe can be a plasticizer. Prestone does make an universal fluid that is dyed yellow/green containing 2-EHA yet no silicates/phosphates, but recommends it for use in just about any automobile on the road today.

While some may disagree with me, I think your cooling system is fine and you have nothing to worry about. Just keep the system drained and refilled every few years and you'll be OK.