Should I get rid of Dexcool in maintained system?

[Mud]

One of our cars is a 2001 Cavalier, 106k miles, very well maintained. Over its life I've maintained the cooling system with regular flushes and changes but always back with Dexcool. There are no deposits or discoloration in the overflow tank, no overheating issues either. A couple of years ago I replaced hoses/thermo for maintenance and did not uncover any sludge, everything looked normal.

However, I am thinking that it may be prudent to go back this time for flush/fill with G-05 coolant. Is this a good idea or just stick with the Dexcool again? I've read an awful lot of info here on pros/cons of all types of coolants, but I'm just not sure at this point.

thanks!

 

[nfs480]

I'm not sure if this is true or not but i've been told that the Dexcool problem was specific for the Dexcool that was manufactured by Texaco for GM. Therefore if you were to replace it with something like the Zerex Dexcool sold by Valvoline you shouldn't have to worry about the problem.

 

[LS2JSTS]

Plenty will chime in and say the Dex is junk, to get rid of it. But if you continue the proper maintenance you will be fine with it.

Also, you have the ecotec, correct? That engine iirc has very little trouble with it as far as I know. Just keep the levels up and all will be good.

 

[SLCraig]

G-05 is apparently the best... I wouldnt worry if you made the switch. However, if you notice no issues whatsoever using Dexcool, I wouldn't worry either.. Why not stick with what is working in your case? I switched to regular green coolant in my Saturn, also so far so good.

 

[Winston]

Stick with Dexcool. It is a good coolant for a properly maintained engine. Plus, you have seen good results with it in your engine, so no reason to switch.

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: Winston
Stick with Dexcool. It is a good coolant for a properly maintained engine. Plus, you have seen good results with it in your engine, so no reason to switch.


+1 I called Prestone about the Dexcool in my 10 year old boat to see if I should switch to G05 and they said no. Just flush and re-fill. I exchange 10% of the coolant each season since there are no petcocks to flush with. I also add the Prestone anti-corrosion additive (1 can each year) and the coolant is still 50-50 and no corrosion. I did get some sludge one year but it was floating on top and got sucked out by my fluid extractor. But the heat exchangers are clean...you can still see the factory brazing when you look inside.

I would recommend you check the radiator cap and if it is not sealing 100% replace it. A leaky cap can effect Dexcool by trapping air in the system.

 

[PeteTheFarmer]

Originally Posted By: PT1
+1 I called Prestone about the Dexcool in my 10 year old boat to see if I should switch to G05 and they said no.


I wouldn't expect Prestone to recommend switching to a product they don't make.

 

[moklock]

The Cavalier with its pressurized overflow tank setup should have no porblem using Dex.

It may not be a bad idea to put a new cap on there if still using the factory one, that cap type does tend to get a bit weak over time more than others and I saw one once that had become brittle and blown its spring out the plastic bottom as well.

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: PeteTheFarmer
Originally Posted By: PT1
+1 I called Prestone about the Dexcool in my 10 year old boat to see if I should switch to G05 and they said no.


I wouldn't expect Prestone to recommend switching to a product they don't make.

I was calling about the Prestone Heavt Duty Marine AF and not the DexCool.

So if you check the facts before you make a statement like that maybe you might realize how silly your comment is.

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: PeteTheFarmer
Originally Posted By: PT1
+1 I called Prestone about the Dexcool in my 10 year old boat to see if I should switch to G05 and they said no.


I wouldn't expect Prestone to recommend switching to a product they don't make.

Besides you are a farmer...stick to tractor anti-freeze...

If you call Zerex they will tell you the same thing. The bad rap for DexCool is the gaskets used in a few GM cars and not the coolant. Zerex/Valvoline will tel you this as well. The rest is simply hype. Any cooling system that is neglected will get corrosion and sludge.

 

[Mud]

Gents, thanks so much for the info. I will take your advice and continue to use Dexcool in it as I really have not experienced any cooling system issues with the car. It doesn't have an Ecotec engine, just a plain vanilla 2.2/auto, but it has been a good dependable basic car.

To get off-track here just a bit:
Some time ago we used to own a 99 Olds (Malibu clone) with the 3.1 that I had to replace the intake gaskets on. It also used Dexcool, but had been kept maintained and I continued to use Dexcool after the repair. The post above was right, it was not the coolant it was a poorly designed gasket and gasket retention system on the car that was at fault. I know these cars get a lot of criticism, but that car carried our son through school and we still see it driven around from time to time by the person we sold it to so I guess the replacement gasket worked!

I will replace the cap on the Cavalier's pressure overflow bottle though. No deposits on the inside of it, but I usually replace things like radiator caps/ thermostats every few years.

thanks again!

 

[PeteTheFarmer]

Originally Posted By: PT1
Originally Posted By: PeteTheFarmer
Originally Posted By: PT1
+1 I called Prestone about the Dexcool in my 10 year old boat to see if I should switch to G05 and they said no.


I wouldn't expect Prestone to recommend switching to a product they don't make.

I was calling about the Prestone Heavt Duty Marine AF and not the DexCool.

So if you check the facts before you make a statement like that maybe you might realize how silly your comment is.


Now I've got it. A post which mentions Dexcool and G05 is obviously about changing to marine coolant.

 

[PT1]

Now I've got it. A post which mentions Dexcool and G05 is obviously about changing to marine coolant

Exactly! Sorry to disappoint you. But really if you don't have anything constructive to add nobody needs your smart remarks.

 

[PeteTheFarmer]

Constructive remarks like 'stick to tractor antifreeze'?

I'm done with you. If you can't see how your own statement caused the confusion, you're beyond help.

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: PeteTheFarmer
Constructive remarks like 'stick to tractor antifreeze'?

I'm done with you. If you can't see how your own statement caused the confusion, you're beyond help.


Still nothing wothwhile to add eh?