damnit, I voted Dex-Cool before I read that article!!! Can I change my vote or move mine to a "hanging chad"

 

I use dexacool. Just a roomor but a machine shop once told me if you pop a head gasket or somthing and the dexacool getsin the oil the dexacool has somewhat like "lubricants" in it and he claims its still not good but it wont eat up bearings as fast as regular green stuff will

 

Dex-Cool was actually created mainly for engines with Iron Blocks and Aluminum Heads.It was formulated with a corrosion inhibitor package to prevent Electrolysis.Electrolysis is when two dissimilar metals in a liquid(coolant)can carry an electric current.The result is corroding.

Recently,law suits over GM Dex Cool is increasing though.Many GM owners claim that GM Dex Cool is turning to sludge and destroying their engines.
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news0...m_dexcool.html

 

I've used Dexcool in two GM minivans and in two F-body cars for over 10 years. Never an issue with anything. I have replaced and flushed the Dexcool every 30,000 miles as recommended by knowledgeable mechanics that make their living working on GM products. It is preventative maintenance to avoid any potential problems. Even the dealerships have $99 specials so why risk hundreds, or thousands of dollars in repairs for an occasional flush? Do owners really think any coolant will last 100,000 miles, especially in a hot weather state like FL or TX, etc.. That almost defies common sense despite what anyone tells you. It is basically the same as an oil change, isn't it? Some manuals say you can drive 6 or 7,000 miles between changes. Sorry, I still change mine every 3,000 miles. Again, no issues. A few bucks up front is way batter than a huge bill trying to eke out the limits of a particular product. To each his own I guess.

 

i use toyota coolant its red just cause its free haha and water wetter and distilled water

 

DEXCOOL all the way

 

Looks like I'm switching to green when I get my car back.

I don't think its a question of whether the system is closed or open, but of the level. If the level is where it needs to be the parts will always be submerged, if it is low and metal is exposed then there are issues.

 

I know the impala ss board members were having problems with the dexcrap and many many switched to the green. This was partly due to the stop leak pellets the factory used though.

I know of at least one mechanic i trust that recommends a switch to green. My 99SS was converted to green prior to me buying it. Green stuff is going in my new motor too. Timne tested and proven in my opinion.

 

Yeah, but the whole point to Dexcool was its supposed long life. If you're going to change it every 30,000, you might as well use green.

 

I have had no issues running dexcool in my current 02 WS6, 00 ecsb Z-71, previous 01 TA, previous 97 cavalier, and now my GFs 05 G6 that we just got.

 

Dex-cool here! No problems at all!

 

Looks like LSx motors don't have any trouble with Dexcool, but my LT-1 got plugged up twice. Alot of other LT-1 guys I know also have had cooling system issues with Dexcool. Heck, that's why we started calling it "Deathcool." Just about any tech or shop I've spoken with recommends the switch. At some point, I will switch to the green in my '99 T/A because I can't afford another clogged F-body...

 

I've been a "mechanic" for about 15 years now and in the long run dex is crap but thats if you try and get your 100k out of it. My theory is GM designs this coolant they say will go 100k, by then your warranty is way out and there service centers are way full, intake leaks on 3.1-3.8 mid-sized and the vortech 96-2000 trucks; just about everyday of the week and twice on Sunday! I like the new global (yellow) coolant. But time will tell. In the begining I thought the brown sludge build-up was stop-leak but later learned it was dex-cool when it lost it's properties. Like the others said if your changing your coolant every 30k anyways just use the green w/ some waterwetter. I think if your climate permits you can run straight water with waterwetter. Blowing out S-10 heater cores with brown dex-cool sludge, another favorite.

 

just get Prestone's dexcool compatible replacement

 

Right, but the back flow tank is open to air, which means the dex cool is mixing with the air, which apparently isn't good as per that article.

 

i use the green stuff....haha i think im just lazy too

 

LOL. Along with replacing the intake gasket....been there, done that switched to green(no more issues). In fact EVERY s-10 Ive seen that runs Deathcool eventually has that problem.

 

Great read!

Looks like I'll be switching to Green when I do heads and cam...

 

If you go to WalMart and compare the Prestone products you will find that the universal green, dexcool and dexcool compatible coolants all have the same ingredients. I'm not sure what is different other than the color.

 

Interesting.