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O/T- GM Dexcool?

L

Lumpy

Member
I gotta put a new water pump on the '99 Chevy Tahoe.... Do I really need to use the Dexcool anti-freeze? No, I probably won't get all of the old coolant out of the block, etc. Is it really that important? The Dexcool is a little on the pricey side compared to the green stuff.
 
Don't use the green stuff. DexCool is actually okay in your application <IF> you can keep the air out.
The engines with the bad reputations are the GM 3.1 and 3.4 V6 problem childs.
Actually, if it was mine, I'd put in the GO-5 coolant that is speced for Ford and Dodge.
Just remember not to mix DexCool and GO-5 and flush everything out before doing it. If there is any chance that somebody else services your vehicle, stay with DexCool. Your "fits everything" stuff in WalMart is actually DexCool.

http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/Zerex_CoolantChart.pdf
 
Put the green stuff in and it will turn all the dexcool into the green stuff. Dexcool is junk coolant as far as I have seen, there is even a class action suit against GM on the stuff.
 
I would say use Dexcool and nothing else. It is designed for the aluminum engine components, the plastic and copper so it does not corrode and deteriate them..the few extra dollars for the right product will save you much money later. The shop I worked in always used Dexcool on GM and associated products that called for it.
 
Put in the Dexcool but use distilled water. It is the minerals in the water that causes the Dexcool to become junk. That is why there is the class action law suit. The factory was using straight tap water full of minerals. When put into aluminum and copper it basically makes the Dexcool into a swamp. I had this happen on my 2001 Blazer. Ended up with all new hoses, raditor, radiator tank, and heater core courtesy of GM. I have the Dexcool in my Colorado and use only distilled water when adding more coolant or during a flush and have not had any issues - 72,000 miles.
 
Yep, that's the secret... keep air out of the cooling system by repairing any small leaks (which allow air to be sucked in when the engine cools).

It's AIR in the system that makes the aluminum and Dexcool turn to crap.
 
The Dex-cool worked fine for me for 100,000 miles. Then I started having intermittent overheating issues. After two shops couldn't fix it I did it myself. Checked the thermostat first. It was clogged up with what looked like silicone snot and had a permanent cock to it. New thermostat, flushed thoroughly and replaced with "green" type and distilled water. Two years and 48,000 miles it still works fine. Guess its time to flush and fill. Why did the powers that be even switch to this high dollar stuff. If it ain"t broke don"t fix it. Wilson
 
I was told it would eat gaskets. I had to have the intake manifold gasket replaced on my gmc van because of leaking intake gasket. I don't think the stuff is all that good. I would think it you find the block drain you will be able to drain all the stuff out, and switch to the other stuff. stan
 
Drain, flush and replace with ordinary or better yet the non poisonous propylene Glycol.
Mix with distilled water instead of tap water. Tap water is full of dissolved minerals you do not want in the coolant passages.
 
I"ve changed to the green stuff in all my GM vehicles from 1999 to 2005 with no problems.
 
Dexcool has a class action suit filed against it. Never did hear the outcome, but from personal experience will drain it out of anything I buy and replace with a good long life antifreeze. In other words, Dexcool is at best a waste of money and at worst causing problems. DOUG
 
I used Dexcool in my Cavalier for 296,000 miles. I sold it a while back and it's still running around here somewhere.

Prestone has a mix that works with any kind of antifreeze (orange or green). If you drain the old, you can and then add this stuff, you should be O.K. This is what I'm using now. If there's a little left in your block, you should be O.K.

prestoneAntiCool3.jpg

Prestone web site...
 
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