which dex-cool chemistry?

[JHZR2]

Hi,

If I have a chevy truck that is potentially sensitive to dex-cool issues (98 S-10 ZR2 with the 4.3L V6), is there one dex-cool chemistry that is superior to another?

I understnad that there is a texaco dex-cool (this is whatr I used the first time I flushed my radiator, but I havent seen it in a while), the prestone "dex-cool approved" orange dyed dex-cool, the prestone "all makes and models" that is essentially dex-cool (and its clones from supertech to napa, advance auto and so on), a version made by peak, and then Glysantin G-34, which is what is used in mane late model saabs, incluidng my 04 9-3, and apparently is also a dex-cool clone, and I have read that Rotella ELC is actually the same stuff as texaco dex cool also... and then also the GM labeled dex-cool, which I understand was texaco made, but I cannot say for certain.

Is any one better than another? Since apparently some of the acid or additive technologies can vary, are they all 100% compatible, for exampole if some texaco made gets mixed with some prestone made dex cool?

Any suggestions of which to use? Any ideas where the texaco version can be purchased? Would it be smart in my situation to just buy the saab version of the Glysantin G-34, and use it in with the dex-cool in my truck as well as for replacement in the saab, or is my info that Glysantin G-34 is dex-cool incorrect? It would be nice to only need one bottle of fluid for two of my vehicles.

Any advice or info would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[kanling]

I thought I saw the Texaco Dex Cool at Wal Mart, of all places. But, they only had a couple of bottles, tucked in a dark corner of the coolant aisle... difficult to see the black Texaco bottles next to the ample supply of bright yellow Prestone ones.

 

[Meistersinger]

Rotella ELC and Texaco Dexcool are definately different formulations. However,the Shell Dexcool and Texaco Dexcool are more likely to be the same formulation or at least very similar. I am not sure what formulation Texaco is using these days, but during their joint venture with Shell under the name Equilon, alot of these formulations were based on Texaco's coolant technology.

GM Vehicare Dexcool is also packaged by Shell.

 

[Dominic]

I have never had a single problem with Prestone Dexcool. It's worked flawlessly in my Camaro and previous Firebird.

 

[Mickey_M]

from the BASF website, http://www.basf.de:

GLYSANTIN ® G 30 (VW)

Reserve alkalinity of 10 ml, ASTM D 1121, 8-11

Density, 20 °C, DIN 51 757 procedure 4, 1.122-1.125

pH-value, ASTM D 1287, 8.2-8.6

GLYSANTIN ® G 33 (Peugeot, Citroen)

Reserve alkalinity of 10 ml, ASTM D 1121, 12-14

Density, 20 °C, DIN 51 757 procedure 4, 1.135-1.145

pH-value 50 vol%, ASTM D 1287 7, 6-8.0

GLYSANTIN ® G 34 (GM)

Reserve alkalinity of 10 ml, ASTM D 1121, 3.5-5.5

Density, 20 °C, DIN 51 757 procedure 4, 1.11-1.12

pH-value, ASTM D 1287, 8.4 - 9.0

GM spec G 34 is used world-wide, and the Texaco version licenses the same technology and meets the same GM specs as the Saab, as do any other *licensed* DexCool clones.

You might also want to consider dumping the DexCool and, after a full thorough flush, using the G-05 spec coolant that's used in Daimler-Chrysler and FOMOCO. It also uses a long-life chemistry, but is somewhat more resistant to cavitation.


.

 

[Ray H]

Ditto so far (1 yr+ and counting) in my Hyundai Sonata's aluminum V6 with Prestone-made SuperTech extended life antifreeze concentrate.