Help - GM 3300 V6 Coolant Question

[Audioquest]

Need to change out the coolant on my brothers 92 Grand Am. This is a low mileage vehicle with a sketchy maintenance record. I'm a Honda guy, I have no idea what kind of coolant to put in this thing. Can you still buy plain old green Prestone? Should I avoid DexCool and it's clones at all cost?

Thanks

 

[charbaby]

Well, which ever coolant you choose, I'm sure that the whole system will need a complete flushing. If the maintenance is sketchy, this is the way I would go! Being a Buick motor, I don't know if that 3300(a detuned/downsizes 3800) motor was exposed to the gasket failures as the 3100/3400. Being cast iron though, one might assume that anything can be used. Others in the know will chime in soon with some great advise for this motor/cooling system.

 

[The_Jeff]

Give that motor a good flush; lots more rust and junk will be loose than in something with an aluminum motor. They are reliable, solid and torquey engines.

You can get generic green silicated if you look around. Pretty sure Peak still makes it, and there are a few store brands with "recochem" stamped in the bottom of the jug.

 

[Dan55]

Here's a long life green http://www.valvoline.com/products/consumer-products/antifreeze-radiator-products/antifreeze/40

 

[Audioquest]

Ended up using STP Universal after a good flush. Lots of [censored] came out. Man, for a 92 model, it's almost impossible to get the lower draincock off. The lower tie bar completely blocks it from below.

 

[charbaby]

Originally Posted By: Audioquest
Ended up using STP Universal after a good flush. Lots of [censored] came out. Man, for a 92 model, it's almost impossible to get the lower draincock off. The lower tie bar completely blocks it from below.



Are you satisfied with the end result?
The point is, is that you did it!

 

[1 SX]

Ive used super tech all makes, but, im happy you posted this thread. I was thinking about the intake gaskets and if the ST would degrade them... ST being a dexcool supposedly, But i dont think these engines suffered as bad as the 3.1/3.4 V6s with the gaskets failing. The 3.8L is also known for the gaskets giving out, and the 3.3 being based off it might also have these issues... BUT, My 225K mile buick seems to have the original gaskets, along with my 105K mile ciera, both use the same 3.3L motor. So for now, ill just keep it changed, and see what will happened..