getting rid of DexCool
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Middleburg, FL
getting rid of DexCool I'm sure this is a good idea, as I think this stuff is pure ****! The way it clumps on the "dipstick" I can only imagine how it looks in the passages. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" /> Anyway, what's the best way to fluch this **** out, and what to replace it with? I'm in Florida, so freezing is never really an issue. She doesn't go out when it's cold enough to be an issue, all 10 days of the year <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> and she's in a garage all the time. So just distilled water, and 2 bottles of Water Wetter, or should I throw in some old-school green **** too?
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Louisville, KY
Re: getting rid of DexCool I dont know why its clumping? Ive had dexcool for a long time and it still is clear and completely thin. I had a problem where the person before me added antifreeze and it did some weird clump things...this could be your problem? But from what I hear if you arnt going to be in freezing temps water would be like 25% better heat transfter and watter wetter helps too. good luck
Launching!
Joined: May 2002
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From: New Orleans, La.
Re: getting rid of DexCool The clumpy crap is probably debris left in the engine from the casting process.(Believe it or not GM has been notorious for this for decades)I think you need to keep some dexcool in there to prevent corrosion.This coolant is formulated for aluminum engine components.That being said, an all aluminum LS1 needs some dexcool to protect it from corrosion.I have 50% water & 50% dexcool.
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Louisville, KY
Re: getting rid of DexCool Hum, good point white z. If I were guessing if you were just protecting against corrosion you could probably go less than a 50/50. And if im not mistaken water wetter does some coating/protecting of its own?
Re: getting rid of DexCool </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"> Originally posted by BensZ28:
And if im not mistaken water wetter does some coating/protecting of its own? </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Correct. Water Wetter does have an anti-corrosion package, which is great for helping to prevent scaling of the aluminum components.
After some good research, I'm of the opinion that DexCool isn't all bad. It is better for the water pumps due to lack of silicates found in the green stuff. What I've been doing is flush it every 2 years and I ALWAYS buy distilled water from the grocery store to use with it instead of tap water. Also make sure you have a good radiator cap. I bought a Stant cap which is less prone to leakage (bad news for DexCool).
And if im not mistaken water wetter does some coating/protecting of its own? </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Correct. Water Wetter does have an anti-corrosion package, which is great for helping to prevent scaling of the aluminum components.
After some good research, I'm of the opinion that DexCool isn't all bad. It is better for the water pumps due to lack of silicates found in the green stuff. What I've been doing is flush it every 2 years and I ALWAYS buy distilled water from the grocery store to use with it instead of tap water. Also make sure you have a good radiator cap. I bought a Stant cap which is less prone to leakage (bad news for DexCool).
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From: Stuart Fl
Re: getting rid of DexCool IMO Dexcool is an excellent product. Sludge is from block, not Dexcool. DO NOT use silicone anti-freeze in your car. Read your owners manuel!! Use 50/50 Dex and water and forget about it!! My.02
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Teching In
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: ct
Re: getting rid of DexCool THE PROBLEM WITH DEX COOL IS THE TAP WATER,MINERALS MOSTLY HIGH IRON IN TAP WATER AKA HARD WATER.JUST DRAIN AS MUSH OUT AS YOU CAN.THERES DRAIN PLUGS IN THE BLOCK IF YOU WANTED TO GET IT ALL OUT.MAKE A 50/50 MIX OF DEX WITH DISTILLED WATER NO MORE CLUMPS.GM HAS BULLETIN FOR BLAZERS AND B BODY THE WERE REPLACING RADIATORS.HOPE THIS HELPS. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />
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From: Middleburg, FL
Re: getting rid of DexCool excellent info, but what do you guys recommend ussing to flush all this **** out of there!?!? I'll keep the DexCrap, I'll just use waaay less of it, like 80/15 + 2 bottles of Water Wetter! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
Launching!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: ABILENE TX
Re: getting rid of DexCool 50/50 Mix will not cool as good as 80/20+ Water Wetter. I run this 80/20 mix and my A-tap reads temps in the upper 190 range on stock stat and 100* outside temps.
Dex-Cool is good stuff when mixed correctly,flush the system if theres sludge and try the 80/20 + WW,I think you`ll like what ya see :yup:
SS/LS
Dex-Cool is good stuff when mixed correctly,flush the system if theres sludge and try the 80/20 + WW,I think you`ll like what ya see :yup:
SS/LS
Re: getting rid of DexCool 30th,
80/20+WW should work nice. Being in FL you could run even less coolant (85/15) or just straight water.
In any case you should meet these three criteria when running significantly less than a 50/50 mix:
1) your anticipated lowest ambient temps that the car will be parked in must be above the freezing point of your coolant mix (32F if running straight water)
2) you MUST use an additive like Water Wetter to prevent corrosion, foaming, etc. 1-2 bottles should do it.
3) you must flush your coolant more often. I'd say no more than every 2 years max.
80/20+WW should work nice. Being in FL you could run even less coolant (85/15) or just straight water.
In any case you should meet these three criteria when running significantly less than a 50/50 mix:
1) your anticipated lowest ambient temps that the car will be parked in must be above the freezing point of your coolant mix (32F if running straight water)
2) you MUST use an additive like Water Wetter to prevent corrosion, foaming, etc. 1-2 bottles should do it.
3) you must flush your coolant more often. I'd say no more than every 2 years max.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Middleburg, FL
Re: getting rid of DexCool Is any one flush better than another?!?! I want to get as much of that old crap out of there as possible. Best way to get the most out of the system!??! Also, where can I find directions on purging the system, when I drain and refill it?!?! Thanks for all the replies so far!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
