So my 1999 Pontiac (2.2L OHV) calls for Dexcool. I might wanna change the coolant/antifreeze this fall, so what do I use? The Dexcool with the rep for sludging? Or the regular green stuff that might conceivibly cause problems?
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GM Product: Dexcool or Green?
- Thread starter Nickdfresh
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Neither. GO5 or Peak Global Lifetime! Guaranteed no problems.
just be sure to get ALL the Dexcool out, it's not compatible w/GO5, not sure about the Global
I don't think Dexcool will cause any 'gasket' problems in your
Sunfire?. I don't think it will cause sludge as long as your radiator cap is good. Dexcool can be problematic in GM vehicles when it comes in contact with the gasket (the 2 EHA is a plasticizer). In your vehicle I'd stick with Dexcool or a clone like ST or Prestone.
Sunfire?. I don't think it will cause sludge as long as your radiator cap is good. Dexcool can be problematic in GM vehicles when it comes in contact with the gasket (the 2 EHA is a plasticizer). In your vehicle I'd stick with Dexcool or a clone like ST or Prestone.
Nickdfresh
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The fluid looks relatively clean and free of any sort of sludge. I would probably elect a Dexcool clone by Prestone if anything.
You can go with G05, which will require a complete flush. Upside: guaranteed no antifreeze-related problems. Downside: G05 is kinda expensive and hard to find.
Or you can stick with Dexcool. Upside: cheap, easy to find, will keep the system spectacularly clean so long as nothing goes wrong. Downside: will degrade certain plastics, and will produce copious amounts of sticky, nasty, radiator-clogging sludge under certain less than ideal (but fairly common) conditions.
Or you can stick with Dexcool. Upside: cheap, easy to find, will keep the system spectacularly clean so long as nothing goes wrong. Downside: will degrade certain plastics, and will produce copious amounts of sticky, nasty, radiator-clogging sludge under certain less than ideal (but fairly common) conditions.
Originally Posted By: bullwinkle
just be sure to get ALL the Dexcool out, it's not compatible w/GO5, not sure about the Global
That is incorrect.
http://www.eetcorp.com/antifreeze/Coolants_matrix.pdf
just be sure to get ALL the Dexcool out, it's not compatible w/GO5, not sure about the Global
That is incorrect.
http://www.eetcorp.com/antifreeze/Coolants_matrix.pdf
That's a mighty definitive statement regarding an issue with no definitive answers. And LOTS of readily available- and CONFLICTING- information.
From another thread:
Originally Posted By: onion
Depends on what you mean by 'compatible'. This isn't a question with a distinct 'yes' or 'no' answer.
If you trust Prestone, then you could say that their all-makes dexclone coolant is "compatible" with everything under the sun. So they're essentially saying that dexcool is "compatible" with every coolant in every vehicle ever made. Does that make it a good idea? I have my doubts.
Also, notice the caveats from your article. They aren't exactly confidence-inspiring:
Quote:
*Do not use SCA with conventional high silicate antifreezes
**Requires special silicate additive liquid or silicate filter to protect certain gasket materials
***Mixing different types of antifreezes can reduce their corrosion protection. Engine manufacturers recommend a 10% limit on mixing coolant types.
So yeah, you can mix them. And probably nothing will come of it. But considering Dexcool's long and sordid history, why would you even CONSIDER doing it??
From another thread:
Originally Posted By: onion
Depends on what you mean by 'compatible'. This isn't a question with a distinct 'yes' or 'no' answer.
If you trust Prestone, then you could say that their all-makes dexclone coolant is "compatible" with everything under the sun. So they're essentially saying that dexcool is "compatible" with every coolant in every vehicle ever made. Does that make it a good idea? I have my doubts.
Also, notice the caveats from your article. They aren't exactly confidence-inspiring:
Quote:
*Do not use SCA with conventional high silicate antifreezes
**Requires special silicate additive liquid or silicate filter to protect certain gasket materials
***Mixing different types of antifreezes can reduce their corrosion protection. Engine manufacturers recommend a 10% limit on mixing coolant types.
So yeah, you can mix them. And probably nothing will come of it. But considering Dexcool's long and sordid history, why would you even CONSIDER doing it??
I only buy GM vehicles and have run dexcool in everyone without any issues. Why people hate it so much is beyond me...perhaps they neglect their cooling systems all together until it's too late in which case it will not mater what coolant you are using you will have issues. Just flush the system and refill with dexcool and call it a day!
I have only owned 4 cyl GM vehicles so I have escaped the gasket and Dexcool sludge issues. I just picked up a 2004 GMC Canyon, the Dexcool which I am guessing is orginal looks great, but I plan on doing a drain and refill shortly with the Prestone Dexcool clone (only due to the cost savings over GM Dexcool)
Nickdfresh
Thread starter
In any case, my father actually had a bottle of unopened GM Goodwrench Dexcool laying around. I believe one of his friends gave it too him even though he owns Fords. So I did a drain and fill and it seems to have made a big difference in temperature as it takes a little longer to heat up and the heat gauge stays a lot more stable when I come to a stop after highway driving...
Originally Posted By: Nickdfresh
In any case, my father actually had a bottle of unopened GM Goodwrench Dexcool laying around. I believe one of his friends gave it too him even though he owns Fords. So I did a drain and fill and it seems to have made a big difference in temperature as it takes a little longer to heat up and the heat gauge stays a lot more stable when I come to a stop after highway driving...
Ive heard of people having problems with Dexcool solidifying in their system but I've never had any problems with it in my car. I'm still not sure I would do what your doing though since your cooling system was not designed for Dexcool.
In any case, my father actually had a bottle of unopened GM Goodwrench Dexcool laying around. I believe one of his friends gave it too him even though he owns Fords. So I did a drain and fill and it seems to have made a big difference in temperature as it takes a little longer to heat up and the heat gauge stays a lot more stable when I come to a stop after highway driving...
Ive heard of people having problems with Dexcool solidifying in their system but I've never had any problems with it in my car. I'm still not sure I would do what your doing though since your cooling system was not designed for Dexcool.
Dexcool is fine as long as you have ZERO leakage, and ZERO plastic gaskets in contact with it. Use a BRAND NEW radiator cap, & use a BITOGer's anal fluid level check ability, and you'll PROBABLY be fine. I personally have had 3 vehicles with Dexcool, zero problems, but the company had numerous 5.7/350 small block intake gasket failures when they ran them in the early 2000s.
Anal isn't censored?? who'd a thunk it?
Nickdfresh
Thread starter
Originally Posted By: brian12
Originally Posted By: Nickdfresh
In any case, my father actually had a bottle of unopened GM Goodwrench Dexcool laying around. I believe one of his friends gave it too him even though he owns Fords. So I did a drain and fill and it seems to have made a big difference in temperature as it takes a little longer to heat up and the heat gauge stays a lot more stable when I come to a stop after highway driving...
Ive heard of people having problems with Dexcool solidifying in their system but I've never had any problems with it in my car. I'm still not sure I would do what your doing though since your cooling system was not designed for Dexcool.
Gee. The funny thing is the manual and the actual cap both mention it.
Originally Posted By: Nickdfresh
In any case, my father actually had a bottle of unopened GM Goodwrench Dexcool laying around. I believe one of his friends gave it too him even though he owns Fords. So I did a drain and fill and it seems to have made a big difference in temperature as it takes a little longer to heat up and the heat gauge stays a lot more stable when I come to a stop after highway driving...
Ive heard of people having problems with Dexcool solidifying in their system but I've never had any problems with it in my car. I'm still not sure I would do what your doing though since your cooling system was not designed for Dexcool.
Gee. The funny thing is the manual and the actual cap both mention it.
After finding out my '02 Buick (VIN K - RPO L36) has the problematic intake gaskets, I flushed it out and switched it over to Zerex G-05.
You gotta love the GM weaseling on the issue:
Quote:
Bulletin No.: 04-06-01-017 Date: May 26, 2004 ... New upper intake manifold and gasket kits have been released. These new kits will provide the dealer with the ability to get exactly what is necessary for a correct repair. In addition some of the gaskets have been updated to a more robust design. ...
I guess "more robust design" is GM-Speak for "doesn't disintegrate with DexCool."
You gotta love the GM weaseling on the issue:
Quote:
Bulletin No.: 04-06-01-017 Date: May 26, 2004 ... New upper intake manifold and gasket kits have been released. These new kits will provide the dealer with the ability to get exactly what is necessary for a correct repair. In addition some of the gaskets have been updated to a more robust design. ...
I guess "more robust design" is GM-Speak for "doesn't disintegrate with DexCool."
The following is a quote from a website I visited:
'Prestone doesn't use 2-EHA in it's long life coolant, instead uses carboxylate.'
I thought that Prestone All Makes/ All Models was a Dexclone and therefore contained 2-EHA. This is the second time that I've read that it doesn't. Does anybody know for sure ?
'Prestone doesn't use 2-EHA in it's long life coolant, instead uses carboxylate.'
I thought that Prestone All Makes/ All Models was a Dexclone and therefore contained 2-EHA. This is the second time that I've read that it doesn't. Does anybody know for sure ?
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