Replacing Therm.

[Herz]

Well I got to redo the seal on the metal coolant pipe that goes ontop of the engine and has the thermostat in the middle. I have been having a problem with a small coolant leak that has gotten annoying. I am going to do a full coolant flush and I was wondering if you can use just regular green coolant. I dont want to use dexcool anymore. Or should I just stick with the dex cool?

truck: GM sierra 4.3, 2002, 124k miles.

 

[Colt45ws]

You can, but you have to make sure you get ALL of that dexcool out. Good luck finding regular green anywhere, though.

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: Onmo'Eegusee
Good luck finding regular green anywhere, though.
It's still quite common around here. Pep boys proline concentrate is the green stuff as is Chevron low silicate. The Chevron stuff is what we use at my work in Hesperia,Ca.

He can get the Chevron green from Goodspeed on "I" st. Another great option is Trinity from Goodspeed. It's got the SCA's for heavy duty diesels in it. Overkill for a gasser but a good coolant.
Looking at A-Zones site they carry it too.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog...equestid=325375

 

[Herz]

thanks guys, I never even heard of that place. Got to check it out. So if I drain the radiator and fill it with a cleaning agent and water, run it for a while and drain again will all the dexcool be out?

What are the advantages/disadvantages to dexcool vs green?

Thanks again guys.

 

[Chris142]

I work at a radiator shop in town. Granted I only see cars with problems but IMO Dexcool has problems. If air gets into the system from a leak the Dexcool becomes a muddy mess that can't be cleaned with anything I have found.

If green coolant gets low and gets air in it then you fill it up and drive it. No rusty mess from air.

In a perfectly sealed and maintained cooling system Dexcool will work great for many years. Unfortunatly GM doesn't make a perfectly sealed cooling system very often. Plus there is a sticker under the hood that says that cooling system maintenance is not required for 5 years or 150K so nobody checks it untill it's too late.

Green needs to be changed every 2-3 years.

BTW do not use Hesperia(Or Apple Valley, Phelan, Lucern or Barstow) tap water in your cooling systen. It contains too much Calcium and Limestone and will plug the radiator up quickly.

Ever wonder why there are so many Cement plants around? Under us is lots of Limestone. Limestone and Calcium are good for bones but no good for a cooling system.

 

[Herz]

I only use distilled water in my radiators. Very informative, thank you.

 

[The Critic]

I would just refill it with Dex-Cool. If you're certain that your system does not have any leaks, then there's nothing to worry about.

At 124k, I would be looking into a complete cooling system overhaul anyway.

 

[Herz]

well, the only leak that I have is on the therm housing, I have to replace the gasket. Other than that no major leaks I loose probably 2 cups every 2 months.

 

[Chris142]

Thats odd that the gasket is leaking. Make sure that the area where the seal goes doesn't have any corrosion. Usually those leak from a quick connect heater fitting near the stat housing.

 

[Herz]

well it is leaking from where the metal pipe connects to the engine. I notice every now and again antifreeze looking liquid there. I will probably have it apart tommorow i hope there is no corrosion.

 

[Herz]

Here is a photo of where it is leaking, at the moment it is dry but occasionally under the metal coolant pipe there will be dex cool colored coolant on there. sometimes alot sometimes just enough to wet it. I want to fix it before it becomes a problem.

 

[Chris142]

That uses an O-ring and not a paper gasket. The part from the dealer fits better than the aftermarket ones do.

 

[Herz]

cool, thanks.

 

[mechtech2]

Like mentioned, you gotta get all the old stuff out.
Then you can use pretty much anything you want.
I like the Ford/Lincoln/Chrysler/Mercedes G-05. It is a hybrid dual action coolant. It uses a bit of silicate . A very good choice at this point