Better choice than DexCool?

[emmett442]

As long as it's being done, I throw in my own anectdotal evidence.

I'm a man of simplicity. As such, I don't like stocking vehicle-specific fluids around. For example, if I have a fleet of vehicles that take 5-20, 5-30, and 10-30, I buy cases of 5-30, and that's what they all get.

Go ahead, roast me.

That said, I treat coolant the same way. Every vehicle I've owned, no matter what make or model, has recieved Dexcool. I've run it Gm, Ford, Mopar, and Toyota for extensive periods, including the current vehicles listed in my signature. I've no issues to report that I can tie to the type of coolant used.

 

[George Bynum]

Originally Posted By: emmett442
Every vehicle I've owned, no matter what make or model, has received Dexcool. I've run it GM, Ford, Mopar, and Toyota for extensive periods, including the current vehicles listed in my signature. I've no issues to report that I can tie to the type of coolant used.


I think you are a reasonable person. The only warning I'd add is that various coolants are not suitable to be mixed with other coolants, and a drain/rinse/rinse/rinse/fill (did I say rinse?) is probably wise when switching.

 

[daves87rs]

Funny this pops up...have a 2004 Cavalier that still has the same coolant as it rolled off the line with...

Difference is the car has low miles, and has pretty much been in the garage the last 5 years ago.


I was having that debate as well. Wife's car got a second helping of dexcool and has been doing just fine since....


I'm honestly not sure if there is even much of a difference between dexcool and the dexclones....expect I think the dexcool lasts a little bit longer-otherwise..

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: emmett442
As long as it's being done, I throw in my own anectdotal evidence.

I'm a man of simplicity. As such, I don't like stocking vehicle-specific fluids around. For example, if I have a fleet of vehicles that take 5-20, 5-30, and 10-30, I buy cases of 5-30, and that's what they all get.

Go ahead, roast me.

That said, I treat coolant the same way. Every vehicle I've owned, no matter what make or model, has recieved Dexcool. I've run it Gm, Ford, Mopar, and Toyota for extensive periods, including the current vehicles listed in my signature. I've no issues to report that I can tie to the type of coolant used.


Doubt you will have an issue either...

 

[emmett442]

Considering I've been doing the same thing for 15 years, I'd have to agree! If it was a problem, I'd think the effects would have been apparent by now.

I guess I could be wrong, but I think my odds are pretty good at this point, and get better every trouble free year.

 

[nthach]

Originally Posted By: Jim Allen


Guys, is there someplace I can get an overview of this Dexcool/GM gasket thing and get up to speed? Two years ago I bought a '08 Chevrolet Uplander minivan with 90K on it. It's been well maintained (owned by the service manager of a nearby Chevy dealer) and I have a full record of everything that was done to it from day one. It's powered by a 3.9L V6 that's allegedly notorious for a head gasket issue... apparently due to Dexcool. Mine has never had any issues in that regard. At 100K, per the manual, I changed the coolant to Shellzone Dexcool a "GM Approved" product. At 120K now, all is good so far but I recently talked to one typically doom-and-gloom GM tech who said in essence, "Any 3.9L that hasn't had a head gasket issue at 100K miles soon will." I've been a dealer tech so I know how seeing nothing but the problem cars can give you that sort of a pontificatory attitude about problems. I don't believe that unquestioningly but forewarned is forearmed, as they say.

It doesn't mention the intake manifold gasket issues, but why Dex-Cool had such a bad reputation early on:
http://www.sancarlosradiator.com/dexcool.htm
http://www.imcool.com/articles/antifreeze-coolant/dexcool-johnbrunner.htm
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f53/gm-dex-coolant-really-bad-58346/

The gasket issues in the 3.1/3.4 made the press as well, https://www.reuters.com/article/gm-settl...735011520080327
Some anecdotal issues with the oddball LT5 C4 Corvette head gaskets: http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20Web/a...ad%20Gasket.pdf

GM wasn't aware then that Dex-Cool ate away at the IMG, being made from fiberglass filled nylon(PA66/GF33) gaskets with a silicone overbead to seal the fluid and air paths. It affected their current at the time pushrod engines(4.3/5.7/7.4 truck engines, 3.1/3.4/3.8 car V6s), but the Saturn engines as well as the Ecotec/Northstar/Saab engine families weren't affected by the gasket issues. I think GM did release an updated service gasket probably after Fel-Pro came out with the PermaDryPlus stamped stainless steel gasket with fluoropolymer sealing elements. I've used that gasket to great success on a friend's truck, although the cooling system is still dirty(despite doing dishwasher detergent flush, then citric acid and garden hose flush via the heater hose and lower radiator hose). That was done 2 years ago.

I would think GM would have installed the updated gaskets on a 2008 Uplander. But some google-fu tells me that there's a unknown reason why the 3.9L V6s are having head gasket failures, seeing it's more or less a bored and/or stroked 3.1/3.4 V6.

 

[Jim Allen]

Thanks. I had run across many of the same things you so kindly bookmarked. The 3.9L head gasket thing remains a mystery but I've done what I can, I guess. Not going to do a preemptive teardown based on what I'm seeing. Having been a dealer tech and been involved in situations where a vehicle gets notorious for a high number of failures, I know that the situation gets magnified... and double so on the internet. Core of truth, but exaggerated and often with a "rest of the story" to each failure that often included abuse or neglect.

Watch, I'll blow a head gasket tomorrow!

 

[johnnyz73]

Originally Posted By: GMWeber
Getting ready to to replace the radiator in my 2005 Cavalier LS (automatic) and it runs DexCool.
-- 2.2 EcoTec.

Are there any better alternatives, additives or mixtures that might help out / work better than just straight DexCool?

I've heard Royal Ice is pretty good, but correct me if I'm wrong on that one.


I use the new "Cool" Antifreeze / Coolant by PEAK ( Orange Cap ) ... It's basically their version of Dex-Cool.... Works great.... It's made for GM vehicles that require Dex Cool.