Proper LS1 Coolant
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 303
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis, IN
Proper LS1 Coolant I plan on flushing the coolant in my bird sometime in the next couple weeks. I am curious as to which coolant would be safe to use. Do I actually need to go to a gm stealership and buy their DEX COOL? The coolant that I am considering is Prestone's "GM DEX COOL approved" coolant. It is available at local parts stores, relatively inexpensive, and comes prediluted (I don't want to mess with getting distilled water or with mixing it). Would this coolant be acceptable for use in my car? Also, before anyone mentions it, I do not want to replace the DEX COOL with ant other type of coolant (green, etc...) after the flush. Any input is greatly appreciated! Thanks!
I run zerex G05 in both of my camaros. Just flushed the dexcool out really good by filling with straight water about 4-5 times run it for a couple minutes, drain and repeat. Also had the t-stat out when I did this.
The Prestone Dex stuff is what I use. I'm even lazy enough to use the 50/50 but that's just me. Anyway, the factory original dexcool came out looking just fine. Just buy the proper amount that you need, mix it properly and you'll be good to go. I've had to empty the system a couple times due to a bad water pump then later a cracked radiator. Each time, the coolant came out looking just fine. With new coolant in each time, it was wound up being a lazy mans flush.
Should probably replace your hoses while you're at it. Best time to do it, when doing a flush.
Should probably replace your hoses while you're at it. Best time to do it, when doing a flush.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 303
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis, IN
The Prestone Dex stuff is what I use. I'm even lazy enough to use the 50/50 but that's just me. Anyway, the factory original dexcool came out looking just fine. Just buy the proper amount that you need, mix it properly and you'll be good to go. I've had to empty the system a couple times due to a bad water pump then later a cracked radiator. Each time, the coolant came out looking just fine. With new coolant in each time, it was wound up being a lazy mans flush.
Should probably replace your hoses while you're at it. Best time to do it, when doing a flush.
Should probably replace your hoses while you're at it. Best time to do it, when doing a flush.
2002 camaro original owner, 13 years old, 70k miles. nothing but dexcool, no problems. i changed it twice, 2nd time was when i had to replace a failed thermostat.
don't forget my engine is the LS1 which is all aluminum.
my truck a used 2006 sierra with 8.1L iron block and heads, i changed the coolant in 2013 shortly after buying truck and no problems there.
so fwiw i would stick with dexcool, just buy the prestone or havoline or whatever version at walmart. and use distilled water.
for any car you basically need 2 gallons of full strength dexcool then buy 2 gallons of distilled water. the cooling system capacity is around 12 quarts, and you be left with around a gallon of 50/50 mix.
and one more fwiw if you have no obvious problems then just drain the coolant via dropping the lower radiator hose then refill with fresh. don't flush with a garden hose or use other chemicals you are just wasting money and either the chemical or extra garden hose water will be left in the system.
because of your username i assume you have an LT1 which is iron block... but your thread title is "proper LS1 coolant"
don't forget my engine is the LS1 which is all aluminum.
my truck a used 2006 sierra with 8.1L iron block and heads, i changed the coolant in 2013 shortly after buying truck and no problems there.
so fwiw i would stick with dexcool, just buy the prestone or havoline or whatever version at walmart. and use distilled water.
for any car you basically need 2 gallons of full strength dexcool then buy 2 gallons of distilled water. the cooling system capacity is around 12 quarts, and you be left with around a gallon of 50/50 mix.
and one more fwiw if you have no obvious problems then just drain the coolant via dropping the lower radiator hose then refill with fresh. don't flush with a garden hose or use other chemicals you are just wasting money and either the chemical or extra garden hose water will be left in the system.
because of your username i assume you have an LT1 which is iron block... but your thread title is "proper LS1 coolant"
Oh, and since you seem to have an LT1, make sure you don't let any of that liquid dump on your optispark. Those things are allergic to water. Maybe double bag it with rubber bands too before you open things up to be safe.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 303
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis, IN
2002 camaro original owner, 13 years old, 70k miles. nothing but dexcool, no problems. i changed it twice, 2nd time was when i had to replace a failed thermostat.
don't forget my engine is the LS1 which is all aluminum.
my truck a used 2006 sierra with 8.1L iron block and heads, i changed the coolant in 2013 shortly after buying truck and no problems there.
so fwiw i would stick with dexcool, just buy the prestone or havoline or whatever version at walmart. and use distilled water.
for any car you basically need 2 gallons of full strength dexcool then buy 2 gallons of distilled water. the cooling system capacity is around 12 quarts, and you be left with around a gallon of 50/50 mix.
and one more fwiw if you have no obvious problems then just drain the coolant via dropping the lower radiator hose then refill with fresh. don't flush with a garden hose or use other chemicals you are just wasting money and either the chemical or extra garden hose water will be left in the system.
because of your username i assume you have an LT1 which is iron block... but your thread title is "proper LS1 coolant"
don't forget my engine is the LS1 which is all aluminum.
my truck a used 2006 sierra with 8.1L iron block and heads, i changed the coolant in 2013 shortly after buying truck and no problems there.
so fwiw i would stick with dexcool, just buy the prestone or havoline or whatever version at walmart. and use distilled water.
for any car you basically need 2 gallons of full strength dexcool then buy 2 gallons of distilled water. the cooling system capacity is around 12 quarts, and you be left with around a gallon of 50/50 mix.
and one more fwiw if you have no obvious problems then just drain the coolant via dropping the lower radiator hose then refill with fresh. don't flush with a garden hose or use other chemicals you are just wasting money and either the chemical or extra garden hose water will be left in the system.
because of your username i assume you have an LT1 which is iron block... but your thread title is "proper LS1 coolant"
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 303
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis, IN
I always overdo it. I buy 2 gallons of the stuff and never use both. That's with just removing the hoses and letting it all drain out. I don't know what's left in the block, but the radiator and everything from the hose outlets up empties out. I know I'd buy 3 and likely never touch the 3rd bottle. You can always return it if you don't use it or keep it for a rainy day.
Oh, and since you seem to have an LT1, make sure you don't let any of that liquid dump on your optispark. Those things are allergic to water. Maybe double bag it with rubber bands too before you open things up to be safe.
Oh, and since you seem to have an LT1, make sure you don't let any of that liquid dump on your optispark. Those things are allergic to water. Maybe double bag it with rubber bands too before you open things up to be safe.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
17 years of Dexcool in my '98 (been using the Prestone "GM Approved" Dexcool for the last decade at least) and not a single issue. The entire cooling system is still 100% assembly line original with no leaks and no failures of any kind. I did a full system flush when it was 5-6 years old, and I've been doing basic drain/refills every two years thereafter. I just did a drain/refill last month, everything inside the radiator was spotless and what came out the petcock looked excellent.
Don't believe the rumors about Dexcool being "bad", it's not the coolant itself but rather the conditions that some people use it under. If you let it get way too old, mix it with hard/dirty water, and/or allow a bunch of air to mix in via unchecked leaks/running the system low on coolant, you will develop the Dexcool sludge that people complain about. This won't happen if you properly maintain the cooling system though.
There have been some GM models that have responded poorly to Dexcool, resulting in intake gasket leaks. But the LS1 is not one of those engines, and Dexcool itself is in NO WAY harmful to the LS1 or associated components.
Don't believe the rumors about Dexcool being "bad", it's not the coolant itself but rather the conditions that some people use it under. If you let it get way too old, mix it with hard/dirty water, and/or allow a bunch of air to mix in via unchecked leaks/running the system low on coolant, you will develop the Dexcool sludge that people complain about. This won't happen if you properly maintain the cooling system though.
There have been some GM models that have responded poorly to Dexcool, resulting in intake gasket leaks. But the LS1 is not one of those engines, and Dexcool itself is in NO WAY harmful to the LS1 or associated components.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 303
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis, IN
17 years of Dexcool in my '98 (been using the Prestone "GM Approved" Dexcool for the last decade at least) and not a single issue. The entire cooling system is still 100% assembly line original with no leaks and no failures of any kind. I did a full system flush when it was 5-6 years old, and I've been doing basic drain/refills every two years thereafter. I just did a drain/refill last month, everything inside the radiator was spotless and what came out the petcock looked excellent.
Don't believe the rumors about Dexcool being "bad", it's not the coolant itself but rather the conditions that some people use it under. If you let it get way too old, mix it with hard/dirty water, and/or allow a bunch of air to mix in via unchecked leaks/running the system low on coolant, you will develop the Dexcool sludge that people complain about. This won't happen if you properly maintain the cooling system though.
There have been some GM models that have responded poorly to Dexcool, resulting in intake gasket leaks. But the LS1 is not one of those engines, and Dexcool itself is in NO WAY harmful to the LS1 or associated components.
Don't believe the rumors about Dexcool being "bad", it's not the coolant itself but rather the conditions that some people use it under. If you let it get way too old, mix it with hard/dirty water, and/or allow a bunch of air to mix in via unchecked leaks/running the system low on coolant, you will develop the Dexcool sludge that people complain about. This won't happen if you properly maintain the cooling system though.
There have been some GM models that have responded poorly to Dexcool, resulting in intake gasket leaks. But the LS1 is not one of those engines, and Dexcool itself is in NO WAY harmful to the LS1 or associated components.
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,631
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From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
If it has been maintained well, then you might not need this. I only did an initial flush on mine because the factory coolant was approaching 6 years old at the time so wanted to get everything out. I had the dealer use their coolant machine for this. Since that time, I've just done simple drain/refills and everything always looks clean so I don't bother with a flush.
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 587
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From: Connecticut SE shore
A flush on really old coolant is probably not a bad idea, especially if you have no idea how old it is. One of the concerns with Dex-Cool (at least from what I've read) is not always mixing well with other coolants...and forming by-products and gunk. If you don't have Dex-Cool in the car and proceed to add some, that might be an issue. I followed the same pattern RPM WS6 mentioned. I was pretty sure my car had Dex-Cool in it when I got it though I couldn't tell by the color (it was a dingy brown rather than green or orange). Did a flush at Monroe to get out everything possible. Now just doing feed and bleeds would probably be ok. If in doubt, might be best to start fresh. I was pretty surprised at how perfectly clean my radiator appeared following my first drain/flush.
Last edited by Firebrian; May 16, 2015 at 12:57 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Bucks County, Pa.
Don't believe the rumors about Dexcool being "bad", it's not the coolant itself but rather the conditions that some people use it under. If you let it get way too old, mix it with hard/dirty water, and/or allow a bunch of air to mix in via unchecked leaks/running the system low on coolant, you will develop the Dexcool sludge that people complain about. This won't happen if you properly maintain the cooling system though.
There have been some GM models that have responded poorly to Dexcool, resulting in intake gasket leaks. But the LS1 is not one of those engines, and Dexcool itself is in NO WAY harmful to the LS1 or associated components.
There have been some GM models that have responded poorly to Dexcool, resulting in intake gasket leaks. But the LS1 is not one of those engines, and Dexcool itself is in NO WAY harmful to the LS1 or associated components.
^^^^THIS!!!
I prefer the Zerex 'Death Cool' <-
only because I once heard that they use slightly better ingredients than the others, even if that is not true. 
I plan on flushing the coolant in my bird sometime in the next couple weeks. I am curious as to which coolant would be safe to use. Do I actually need to go to a gm stealership and buy their DEX COOL? The coolant that I am considering is Prestone's "GM DEX COOL approved" coolant. It is available at local parts stores, relatively inexpensive, and comes prediluted (I don't want to mess with getting distilled water or with mixing it). Would this coolant be acceptable for use in my car? Also, before anyone mentions it, I do not want to replace the DEX COOL with ant other type of coolant (green, etc...) after the flush. Any input is greatly appreciated! Thanks!
I suggest you flush and go GREEN.
.
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 131
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From: Mesa, AZ
Make sure it says Dex-Cool on the bottle, DON'T USE THE UNIVERSAL STUFF. It should be bright orange in color. Also take note if the coolant is pre-diluted or needs to be mixed, if you mix it use distilled water so you don't get mineral deposits in your cooling system. Not changing your coolant often enough will usually result in leaking head gaskets or bad water pump, because as coolant ages it becomes more acidic and begins to erode stuff in your cooling system such as gaskets leading to bigger problems. You can't change your coolant to often.