Dexcool Picture of the Day.

[George7941]

Originally Posted By: ZGRider


George:
Just because the Dexcool looks good doesn't mean it isn't "dissolving" the gaskets. Mine always looked good until one day when the IM gasket "ate" through. Changing it more often doesn't prevent gasket damage either.

But since you have used Dexcool so much and are so confident with it, I guess I am "preaching to the choir." I guess millions of people are just dreaming that they had problems with Dexcool and it really doesn't perform any more poorly than other coolants.

Besides, with GM in bankruptcy, you can feel secure that your warranty is safe !!!



1) Dexcool degrades the plastic in plastic-framed intake gaskets
2) A 2006 4.3l engine does not have plastic-framed intake gaskets.
3) Ergo, not an issue.

See, it is as easy as 1,2,3!

 

[George7941]

Originally Posted By: 99TA
Yeah i agree trusting dexcool because it it "looks ok" is crazy. Its some nasty stuff, ask ANY dealer wrench what they use in their cars..............IT AINT DEXCOOL.


I am not sure about 'ANY', I am sure SOME dealer techs avoid Dexcool because of the cars that come in with Dexcool problems. They are not looking at the causes of the problems and how they can be avoided. It is a case of Monkey See, Monkey Do.

That is my take on Dexcool based on my experience with it.

 

[ekpolk]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
I will never understand the Internet crucifixion of Dex.

We run a fleet of GM Vans and P/U and have never had a problem! Absolutely none. Our oldest van has 300,000 miles on it.


I understand. Had the problems in my supercharged 3.8L V-6. My favorite part of the ordeal was the Buick dealer tech who referred to the stuff as, "Rustcool".

 

[George7941]

Originally Posted By: ekpolk

I understand. Had the problems in my supercharged 3.8L V-6. My favorite part of the ordeal was the Buick dealer tech who referred to the stuff as, "Rustcool".



Your Buick must have had leaking IM gaskets or a leak somewhere else that caused low coolant level. Did you find out what caused the problems with the Dexcool?

 

[onion]

No doubt there were contributing factors. But it's a simple fact that NO OTHER COOLANT consistently produces the type and quantity of nasty sludge that you see REGULARLY in Dexcool systems. I agree that with vigilant maintenance practices, dexcool problems can probably be avoided... but why take the chance? There's absolutely no benefit to running Dexcool vs. G05. And there's a very well-established risk.

 

[99TA]

Would the dexclones like Peak Extended Life have the same issues as the factory fill dexcool?

 

[ZGRider]

Originally Posted By: George7941


1) Dexcool degrades the plastic in plastic-framed intake gaskets
2) A 2006 4.3l engine does not have plastic-framed intake gaskets.
3) Ergo, not an issue.

See, it is as easy as 1,2,3!


George:

Just because you like playing "chicken" with coolant doesn't mean you are right, or that you should encourage others to commit coolant system suicide. Like onion said, there are absolutely no drawbacks to using G-05 and no additional benefits to using Dexcool, so why play with fire? Do you think the average driver even knows if his vehicle has "plastic" IM gaskets? He doesn't need to know if he uses G-05. Only Dexcool users have to worry about if they have plastic IM gaskets, why take a chance.

If you are afraid of your warranty requirements, don't encourage others to be forced into using Dexcool over a superior coolant like G-05.

I challenge you to find one published report or documentation of problems with vehicles using G-05. I can find thousands of claims against Dexcool.

PEOPLE -- NO AUTOMOTIVE COMPANY OTHER THAN GM CURRENTLY USES DEXCOOL AS FACTORY FILL, ON THE OTHER HAND MERCEDES, VOLKSWAGEN, CHRYSLER, AND FORD USE G-05 AS THEIR FACTORY FILL COOLANT -- WHO DO YOU TRUST?

 

[VW_TDI_PD]

LOL dude, VW doesnt use G-05 as factory fill. No idea where you got that idea...

http://www.tdiparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=427

 

[onion]

Originally Posted By: 99TA
Would the dexclones like Peak Extended Life have the same issues as the factory fill dexcool?
I dunno. But if it has basically the same ingredients... then I would expect basically the same propensity to turn to sludge.

Of course, by definition, people who are adding assorted all-makes coolants (or replacing with them) are paying attention to said cooling systems- at least to some extent. And refreshing the coolant- at least to some extent.

Like George, I suspect that the majority of DexSludge cases stem from neglect. It's no excuse, really... no OTHER coolant will essentially turn to mud under the same conditions. But if you stick with a 2eha coolant, you can improve your odds by simply not being a dumba$$.

Originally Posted By: VW_TDI_PD
LOL dude, VW doesnt use G-05 as factory fill. No idea where you got that idea...

http://www.tdiparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=427



Yep. Cross Volkswagen off the list, and write in John Deere.

Although they have recently come out with a new coolant for some applications. Don't know much about it yet except that it's definitely NOT G05.

 

[lucerne06]

It make no sense....just about every other long life coolant except peak global and g05 contain 2eha. so why only blame dexcool if it the 2eha that is the problem, and all the others have it?

 

[ZGRider]

Originally Posted By: lucerne06
It make no sense....just about every other long life coolant except peak global and g05 contain 2eha. so why only blame dexcool if it the 2eha that is the problem, and all the others have it?


Are you saying that all the Asian coolants contain 2EHA? or all the European coolants contain 2EHA? So, define "all the others" comment. Many other coolants do not contain 2EHA and since it is the problem ingredient, then any coolant containing it could cause problems. Although, VW doesn't use G-05 coolant anymore, the G-12+ is not 2EHA-based either, although I have heard some people say it is.

So, my point is still valid, although many of the aftermarket coolants contain 2EHA, most factory-fill coolants do not contain it.

I can't understand anyone's propensity to use Dexcool after all the problems associated with it, and not G-05 that performs equally well with no associated problems.

 

[Vizzy]

Originally Posted By: VW_TDI_PD
LOL dude, VW doesnt use G-05 as factory fill. No idea where you got that idea...

http://www.tdiparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=427



They don't, but the G-05 is almost identical to VW product (made by Pentosin) and a lot cheaper to use. I would not hesistate to use G-05 at all in my VW. I would cringe at the thought of usingDexcool in it though!!!!!!!

 

[lucerne06]

if their was a problem with the 2eha, why would peak,prestone,zerex,havoline,etc...continue to use it it there products, either in the approved dexcool varieties or their long life, all makes/all models brands?

don't you think these other manufacter's would of stopped using 2eha?

 

[George7941]

There is a problem with 2EHA but the manufacturers can easily avoid it by ensuring that Dexcool does not come into contact with plastic components of gaskets.

Dexcool has been unfairly criticised for problems arising from unconscionable GM actions - their refusal to help owners with intake gasket coolant leaks, even years after it became clear that there was a big problem there and their refusal to reengineer their intake gaskets for years and years, and their refusal to reengineer their rad caps. With the entitlement mentality pervasive throughout GM, starting from the very top, they figured customers will keep buying GM no matter what. They are paying the price now for their actions.

Even if you don't have confidence in GM engineering decisions, surely some weight must be given to to the Caterpillar engineering division's decision to adopt a 2-EHA coolant for their entire huge lineup. Even Toyota long life, according to a previous post, is 2-EHA. Surely 2-EHA cannot be as terrible as some folks make it out to be, if, after all, it is good enough for Cat and Toyota.

I realize that Dexcool is more than just its 2-EHA component.

There was an allusion in a previous post that perhaps I was staying with Dexcool because of warranty considerations. My truck is almost out of warranty, GM only offered a three year warranty in 2006 in Canada. I can assure you, warranty considerations were at the bottom of my list.

 

[ZGRider]

Originally Posted By: George7941
There is a problem with 2EHA but the manufacturers can easily avoid it by ensuring that Dexcool does not come into contact with plastic components of gaskets.

Dexcool has been unfairly criticised for problems arising from unconscionable GM actions - their refusal to help owners with intake gasket coolant leaks, even years after it became clear that there was a big problem there and their refusal to reengineer their intake gaskets for years and years, and their refusal to reengineer their rad caps. With the entitlement mentality pervasive throughout GM, starting from the very top, they figured customers will keep buying GM no matter what. They are paying the price now for their actions.

Even if you don't have confidence in GM engineering decisions, surely some weight must be given to to the Caterpillar engineering division's decision to adopt a 2-EHA coolant for their entire huge lineup. Even Toyota long life, according to a previous post, is 2-EHA. Surely 2-EHA cannot be as terrible as some folks make it out to be, if, after all, it is good enough for Cat and Toyota.

I realize that Dexcool is more than just its 2-EHA component.

There was an allusion in a previous post that perhaps I was staying with Dexcool because of warranty considerations. My truck is almost out of warranty, GM only offered a three year warranty in 2006 in Canada. I can assure you, warranty considerations were at the bottom of my list.


If your warranty is not a consideration, then why the insistance on using Dexcool or 2EHA-based coolants given that much better alternatives exist? Is it just stubborness? With G-05 you don't have to worry about radiator caps, IM gaskets or anything else. Do you have a valid reason? Dexcool doesn't work any better than G-05 but has a troubled past and poor reputation regardless of what GM has done. It was rejected by VW, Ford, MB and other manufacturers, while G-05 has performed succxessfully for years in many different vehicles.

I just want to know your reasoning for your decisions.

 

[lucerne06]

if you own a ford,vw,audi,MB, anything...you can use any of peaks,prestones,zerex, all makes,all models anti freeze...correct? and they contain 2eha correct? so if these companies continue to make these products for these cars, how can their be a problem? why would they want to assume that huge liability if there was a problem...I think it's all a marketing game , being played amonghst manufacturers of cars.

 

[George7941]

Originally Posted By: ZGRider
If your warranty is not a consideration, then why the insistance on using Dexcool or 2EHA-based coolants given that much better alternatives exist? Is it just stubborness? With G-05 you don't have to worry about radiator caps, IM gaskets or anything else. Do you have a valid reason? Dexcool doesn't work any better than G-05 but has a troubled past and poor reputation regardless of what GM has done. It was rejected by VW, Ford, MB and other manufacturers, while G-05 has performed succxessfully for years in many different vehicles.

I just want to know your reasoning for your decisions.



I have posted my reasons for staying with Dexcool. To summarize, in MY case, IM gaskets and rad caps are not an issue and Dexcool has performed extremely well for me in over a decade of using it.

There have been previous posts in this thread about good results with Dexcool. There was one who operated a fleet of vans and pickups and there was another person using Dexcool in a Ford Taurus which never even came with Dexcool.

 

[SteveSRT8]

That was me. The oldest van with 300k miles has had a water pump replaced and we simply added more Dex. We exchange heat from the cooling system and have a substantially larger volume of coolant than a factory engine with a remote mounted thermostat in the vans. All the P/U are stockers.

I repeat: I do not understand the Internet Crucifixion of Dexcool.

But I only have my own experiences with an entire fleet of Vans and pick-ups!

 

[George7941]

We had a diesel G30 van at work that had 280k mi. The rad leaked at 240k and I replaced it then. The water pump leaked at 260k and was replaced. The thermostats (it had two, side by side) were replaced twice. Not the slightest trace of sludge from Dexcool. Overall, pretty good performance from Dexcool.

BTW, when you say "we exchange heat from the cooling system", what kind of setup are you referring to?

I totally agree with your signature, government spending is getting out of control. The recession has given governments an excuse to spend money like drunken sailors. There are some people on this board (Gary Allen and Crinkles come to mind) who probably have a different view.

 

[ZGRider]

You know smokers say some of the same things -- "I don't have cancer, why should I quit?" "Why do people demonize cigarettes?" "Cigarettes haven't hurt my health, what's the problem?"

I guess personal experience trumps collective experience, don't you people ever see the pictures of Dexcool damage? Or do you just say -- "It won't happen to me -- I've always had good luck with Dexcool."

You can show smokers pictures of lung cancer and it still doesn't convince them. You can show Dexusers clogged radiators and they say -- "Never happened to me."