Dex-cool flush after 100k

[gunia]

Hi everyone,

I just joined the forum. I've read over some of the posts about Dex-cool and all the bad things that can happen. I drive a 2003 Chevy Impala 3.8L with 107,000 miles on it. I'm pretty good with changing the fluids on a regular basis but I couldn't remember the last time I changed the coolant. I went back to my records and checked the last time I flushed the cooling system and I couldn't find anything. I don't know how it slipped through the cracks, but I had recently had the coolant flushed at a local BJs/Monroe shop. They told me that they used a universal coolant and it should be compatible with Dex-cool. I did this at about 104,000 miles. The fluid in the reservoir looks darker than the original Dex-cool. Should I have the coolant flushed out again and replaced with Dex-cool?

I'm sorry if I repeated another post...I didn't get a chance to read through everything.

 

[daman]

so was that your original DEX they flushed out??,,how did it
look??

i would ask and see what they used,not just there word on it.

 

[gunia]

As far as I know that was the original Dex-cool. The fluid in the reservoir was clean. Now it has a darker orange brown look.

 

[gunia]

I just called the shop up. They didn't flush the system, they just drained the radiator and replaced it with a universal yellow coolant. I'm trying to figure out more about the coolant. They said it gets deliver to them by a company called Safety Kleen...I'm not sure if I spelled that right. I think I'll have my system flushed and filled with Dex-cool.

 

[daman]

Yes if it were me i'd reflush and get the same stuff put in,no
mixing..

 

[gunia]

I called Safety Kleen and they provided me with a data sheet for their univeral coolant. The offical name is Safety Kleen Khameleon Global Extended Life Antifreeze & Coolant. The color is yellow, as the name suggest it takes the color of the coolant in the system. I was told that when mixed with Dex-cool it will turn red, which explains the darker color. It's prediluted 50/50 and is fully compatible with Dex-cool or any coolant.

It meets all the primary specifications for automotive and diesel trucks.

 

[wagsg]

Hopefully they didn't charge you for a full flush if all they did was drain and fill. If they did, have them do it again... on their dime!

It should be fine. Drive it for a while then have it completely flushed and filled with a universal of your choice or G-05.

 

[sciphi]

^^^ what he said. You ought to be fine.

If you get really bored one fine Saturday you could always do it yourself. Takes a few hours to do, and the cost was about $30 or so in coolant, distilled water, and a new thermostat.

 

[gunia]

Thanks guys...I'll have to find the receipt and check if they charged me for the flush or the drain. But I might flush the whole system anyway since fluid has about 5 years and 107,000 miles on it (not including the drain at 104,000). I'll probably stick with the Dex-cool since it worked so far without a problem. I still can't believe I didn't flush it sooner...must have lost track when I got my second car.

 

[Big Jim]

Although I like to change it more often, IIRC, Dexcool is supposed to last 5 years or 100,000 miles. You are not that far off. Unless you have another reason for concern, leave it alone. Flush it next year and it will still be very aggressive maintenance.