That is it, the surge tank on my Sierra. As you can see, no sludge or residue. In spite of all the dire warnings about using Deathcool, in over a decade of using Dexcool I have never seen the slightest trace of sludge.
The coolant is over three years old now. I plan on draining the coolant soon and refilling with fresh Dexcool.
Dexcool Picture of the Day.
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That is it, the surge tank on my Sierra. As you can see, no sludge or residue. In spite of all the dire warnings about using Deathcool, in over a decade of using Dexcool I have never seen the slightest trace of sludge.
The coolant is over three years old now. I plan on draining the coolant soon and refilling with fresh Dexcool.Only three years because of all warnings about using Dexcool. Dexcool, when it does have problems, does seem to create a lot of sludge. So I am being safe rather than being sorry.
My take on Dexcool. Dexcool is different from Toyota LL in that Dexcool does not have phosphates and Dexcool has 2-EHA. Not having phosphates (or silicates) means that air in system leads to corrosion, causing sludge. 2-EHA softens plastic intake gaskets, leading to leaks and more sludge.
My contention is that as long as you avoid the above two situations, Dexcool works very well. This is based on my admittedly limited experience with Dexcool.
Thanks for posting the pic. Very interesting you chose Dexcool over the Toyota coolant.
It's like many have said in this forum. IF, you are attentive and service your cooling system regularly, the coolant products, even containing 2eha, will serve you well. JMO
Toyota red has 2EH and Sodium Neodecanoate in it just like dexcool. No phosphate or silicate either.
I don't know what Toyota Pink has.
Some cars have a factory fill of Dexcool that is pink. My dad's Pontiac G6 did.
The problem with dexcool is that it can last 5 years under ideal conditions, however, usually it is putrid by the 4th year.
"The coolant is over three years old now. I plan on draining the coolant soon and refilling with fresh Dexcool. "
Only running engine coolant for three years isn't exactly a ringing endorsement.
I'm on year six on Toyota pink, FWIW...
I had dexcool in the wife's 01 cavalier for 6yrs and 110K miles. Looked and almost smelled brand new when i flushed it out. No sludge anywhere. Must like the little 2.2L OHV motor cooling system.
Just changed out original factory (6 years old with 60,000 miles) DEXCOOL yesterday in my wife's car. It was a light pinkish orange color. The replacement Prestone DEXCOOL coolant was a deeper, more fluorescent orange color.
There were some rust flakes in the puke tank, so I was a little concerned what would drain out during the change. Other than being a slightly different color, it looked clean. No muck, sludge or rust particles.
Originally Posted By: artificialist
Toyota red has 2EH and Sodium Neodecanoate in it just like dexcool. No phosphate or silicate either.
I don't know what Toyota Pink has.
Some cars have a factory fill of Dexcool that is pink. My dad's Pontiac G6 did.
The problem with dexcool is that it can last 5 years under ideal conditions, however, usually it is putrid by the 4th year.
Dexcool isn't a problem as long as the overflow system is a "closed" system that air can't enter and the cooling system its self is not low.
The issue is when air mixes with the hot coolant it turns into a acid. My 99Firebird has a open type coolant overflow and i had terrible problems with dexcool for the 1st 5 years i owned it, I finally changed to low tox and the troubles stoped to some degree. Unfortunaely once the dexcool starts its acid eatting feast on your internals it doesn't seem to want to stop. Even after a COMPLETE flush twice the dexcool still messed with the low tox fill.
I'm trying a different route this time on my 02 firebird. I'm using peak long life chamgimg it once a year. WHICH IMO is complete [censored] because the old green stuff i only changed every 3 years and NEVER had any trouble.
I gm think lost their minds with dexcool. I went to look at a used 2000 firebird with 75 thous miles on the car. When i opened the rad cap what ui saw was UNBELIEVEABLE! I've never seen so much damage and [censored] in any radiator. I showed the dealer and he just shrugged it off. It looked like someone filled the rad with dirt!
I will never understand the Internet crucifixion of Dex.
We run a fleet of GM Vans and P/U and have never had a problem! Absolutely none. Our oldest van has 300,000 miles on it.
what I don't get is that the E2H they say is the problem...well E2H is in mostly all the all makes/all models anti freeze , except peak global lifetime...so can that really be the problem that it is an alleged plastic melter? don't real think so..
The dexcool in my '97 Taurus and '00 Nissan always looked good and I had about 7-8 years on each . I treated dexcool like I do all my coolants. A single radiator drain/refill every year or 2 depending on miles driven keeps every one my vehicles spotless always. I just don't understand why so many have cooling system issues.
Originally Posted By: Pluto5
You didn't say what the mileage was. Any coolant can last for 3 years. I changed the Dex after 4 years and it was clean, too.
Originally Posted By: George7941
That is it, the surge tank on my Sierra. As you can see, no sludge or residue. In spite of all the dire warnings about using Deathcool, in over a decade of using Dexcool I have never seen the slightest trace of sludge.
The coolant is over three years old now. I plan on draining the coolant soon and refilling with fresh Dexcool.
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