So, when I change the head gasket, obviously the anti-freeze needs changing. I think I'm going to move away from Dex-cool. I want to go with an extended life AF, otherwise I'd go with Motorcraft Premium Gold. I'm thinking about going with G-05. What do you guys think?
What anti-freeze to use
- Thread starter Nick R
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I put Peak Global Lifetime in the Montana after I did the HGs. It says Dex-Cool, but it uses a different OAT chemistry.
G-05 Is good stuff to though. Could simplify what you have to keep around since the Expy and Mustang call for it as well, Im sure.
G-05 Is good stuff to though. Could simplify what you have to keep around since the Expy and Mustang call for it as well, Im sure.
sounds good to me! I know others have done it
If you are going to switch away from Dexcool, an OE coolant, then it makes little sense to switch to another OAT that is not really endorsed by anyone. Especially with the Cavalier that is not known to have issues with dexcool. If you are going to switch than the only reason is to get away from OATs and the pontential gasket compatibility issue (not saying the Cavalier has this issue) and go with G-05.
I use supertech all makes all models. No problem in about half a dozen cars so far.
Keep it changed every couple years..
Keep it changed every couple years..
I keep hearing people mention "DEX-CLONE"
Are there people having issues with these types of coolants in their vehicles other than the GM 3100/3400 ?
Im swithcing my daughters 06 Mazda3 2.0i over to PEAK All Makes/Models. Did the same with my 04 Altima 2.5s
Are there people having issues with these types of coolants in their vehicles other than the GM 3100/3400 ?
Im swithcing my daughters 06 Mazda3 2.0i over to PEAK All Makes/Models. Did the same with my 04 Altima 2.5s
Originally Posted By: Char Baby
I keep hearing people mention "DEX-CLONE"
Are there people having issues with these types of coolants in their vehicles other than the GM 3100/3400 ?
Im swithcing my daughters 06 Mazda3 2.0i over to PEAK All Makes/Models. Did the same with my 04 Altima 2.5s
The various all makes are called dexclone because Peak and Prestone are using their Dexcool formula for it without the orange dye. So it's basically dexcool without the label.
The late-model Mazda is probably designed for OAT. The potential issue is Dexcool not tolerating being low or having air in it. And most Japanese cars don't have a pressurized reservior to get around this issue. Sometimes dexclone gums in those systems but not usually. Several people have reported using dexclone in Japanese vehicles for years and not having a problem. I think Havoline and Zerex dexcool has less tendency to gum. It's also possible Peak Global doesn't have the issue if you can find it. The key is that your pressure cap and reservior work properly and you don't have leakes causing the coolant to go low.
The 3100/3400 didn't have a Dexcool problem per se. They had a manifold gasket issue. The early-model iron Vortec engines had the worst problem, a bad gasket, iron engine, cap on the radiator. And the 3.8 had a cap on the radiator design and could gum slightly sometimes moreso with the dexclones than the Havoline initial fill.
I keep hearing people mention "DEX-CLONE"
Are there people having issues with these types of coolants in their vehicles other than the GM 3100/3400 ?
Im swithcing my daughters 06 Mazda3 2.0i over to PEAK All Makes/Models. Did the same with my 04 Altima 2.5s
The various all makes are called dexclone because Peak and Prestone are using their Dexcool formula for it without the orange dye. So it's basically dexcool without the label.
The late-model Mazda is probably designed for OAT. The potential issue is Dexcool not tolerating being low or having air in it. And most Japanese cars don't have a pressurized reservior to get around this issue. Sometimes dexclone gums in those systems but not usually. Several people have reported using dexclone in Japanese vehicles for years and not having a problem. I think Havoline and Zerex dexcool has less tendency to gum. It's also possible Peak Global doesn't have the issue if you can find it. The key is that your pressure cap and reservior work properly and you don't have leakes causing the coolant to go low.
The 3100/3400 didn't have a Dexcool problem per se. They had a manifold gasket issue. The early-model iron Vortec engines had the worst problem, a bad gasket, iron engine, cap on the radiator. And the 3.8 had a cap on the radiator design and could gum slightly sometimes moreso with the dexclones than the Havoline initial fill.
G-05 should work fine, but you may have to search for it. NAPAs, John Deere dealers, and Ford and Chrysler dealers are the places to find it.
If I were in your situation, I'd just use some Peak Global Lifetime. You can find it anywhere. My roommate's '98 Civic was overheating from ancient coolant that was very low (none in the reservoir and a low rad) and being the piece of something that it usually is...a couple drain and fills with the Peak and it was back to its normal temperature again.
If I were in your situation, I'd just use some Peak Global Lifetime. You can find it anywhere. My roommate's '98 Civic was overheating from ancient coolant that was very low (none in the reservoir and a low rad) and being the piece of something that it usually is...a couple drain and fills with the Peak and it was back to its normal temperature again.
Originally Posted By: Nick R
So, when I change the head gasket, obviously the anti-freeze needs changing. I think I'm going to move away from Dex-cool. I want to go with an extended life AF, otherwise I'd go with Motorcraft Premium Gold. I'm thinking about going with G-05. What do you guys think?
Motorcraft Premium Gold IS a G-05 coolant, same as Zerex G-05, and same as Mopar G-05 except Mopar is dyed red. G-05 would be my pick for a conversion. Its got good protection for all common cooling system metals (OEMs of iron-block / aluminum head engines use it regularly) and it doesn't have 2EHA.
So, when I change the head gasket, obviously the anti-freeze needs changing. I think I'm going to move away from Dex-cool. I want to go with an extended life AF, otherwise I'd go with Motorcraft Premium Gold. I'm thinking about going with G-05. What do you guys think?
Motorcraft Premium Gold IS a G-05 coolant, same as Zerex G-05, and same as Mopar G-05 except Mopar is dyed red. G-05 would be my pick for a conversion. Its got good protection for all common cooling system metals (OEMs of iron-block / aluminum head engines use it regularly) and it doesn't have 2EHA.
i like motorcraft also
I found Zerex G-05 at the local NAPA. I'll probably go with that. Is that, and the MC long-drain coolant? I'd probably like to run them for 5 years, then change unless I have a reason to change it sooner.
Yeah, 5 years, 150k as long as you clean it out of Dex. You can run plain water through it a couple times to do just that.
When I mix, is regular tap water ok, or should I use distilled water?
Distilled.
Originally Posted By: Nick R
When I mix, is regular tap water ok, or should I use distilled water?
..don't mix up the coolant just yet..find out first what the coolant capacity is...put "half" that amount of straight coolant in first...then add water to top it up
When I mix, is regular tap water ok, or should I use distilled water?
..don't mix up the coolant just yet..find out first what the coolant capacity is...put "half" that amount of straight coolant in first...then add water to top it up
I have found Peak Global Lifetime at Walgreen Drug Stores of all places. They carry the 50/50 mix at all stores it seems. The latest purchase this year was in a gold bottle. I have used it in several Mazda's over the years with good results. FWIW--Oldtommy
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