Zerex DEX-COOL

[newfiecharger]

HI,

I have to top-up a 2005 Silverado vortec 4.8l. The manual calls for dexcool and the best dexcool I could find around hear is Zerex Dexcool. The fluid colors are different, the fulltank fluid is pink (it looks pink to me) and the Zerex is orange. Is Zerex 100% compatible with the fluid in my truck?

thanks

 

[Matt89]

If the zerex says "Dexcool", then it is compatible with what is already in your truck.

I have seen a few GMs with a pinkish Dexcool in the overflow tank, but when I bought a jug of Texaco Dexcool it was indeed orange (as was Prestone Dexcool IIRC).

Just a dye issue.

 

[sciphi]

Isn't there an issue of different anti-corrosion additives between GM factory Dex and everybody else's Dex? I heard GM's was patented, and that the oil companies had to come up with their own formulations that met GM's spec, but had different additives.

 

[Matt89]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
Isn't there an issue of different anti-corrosion additives between GM factory Dex and everybody else's Dex? I heard GM's was patented, and that the oil companies had to come up with their own formulations that met GM's spec, but had different additives.


AFAIK, Dexcool is a license given to companies to produce a compatible coolant that meets certain performance specifications. So, in theory...by definition a coolant that is licensed is compatible.

In practice, from what I've read on here there have been multiple suppliers for GM Dexcool (ie Texaco, Prestone etc.). So, who knows what's even in there to begin with?

If it were me I'd have no hesitation about whose Dexcool to use. A better thing to be worried about is making sure that there are no issues that let air into the system and cause Deathcool sludge. Relatively rare but much more likely than failure to prevent corrosion due to incompatibility!

There are many coolants called "Dexclones" (like Prestone all-makes yellow) that use similar but not identical ingredients to Dexcool. Since even these are touted as "compatible with everything", I wouldn't be afraid of minor differences within brands of licensed DexCool. Especially since the only difference might be color!

 

[onion]

Quote:
Relatively rare


AAAAAAAAAahhHAHAHAH!!!!111one11one.

That's funny. It's rare enough that every auto mechanic you talk to is well aware of the problem, and it's mentioned in multiple class-action lawsuits. But yeah... relatively rare.

But about compatibility. If it says "dexcool" on the bottle, then you can safely assume that it's just as corrosive and sludge-prone as the stuff already in your system.

 

[sciphi]

I guess the next question to ask is: should those of us with Dex in our cars flush it and replace it with universal coolant? I'd like to keep my cream-puff Buick (99 LeSabre, 34k miles) in good shape.

 

[onion]

"All-makes" coolants like Prestone are very similar to Dexcool. Not exactly the same... but real close. Close enough that I'm not sure it'd be an upgrade.

Personally, I replaced the dexcool in both of my GM cars with G-05 (used by Ford and Mopar) years ago. No problems to date. Anybody who works on GM vehicles or at a radiator shop will tell you that GM vehicles running dexcool have vastly more coolant sludge problems than anything else on the road.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: onion
"All-makes" coolants like Prestone are very similar to Dexcool. Not exactly the same... but real close. Close enough that I'm not sure it'd be an upgrade.

Personally, I replaced the dexcool in both of my GM cars with G-05 (used by Ford and Mopar) years ago. No problems to date. Anybody who works on GM vehicles or at a radiator shop will tell you that GM vehicles running dexcool have vastly more coolant sludge problems than anything else on the road.


I use All Makes in just about everything I service. No sludge problems so far. My 96 Saturn has 12 years on the original radiator, hoses, and t-stat with no problems.