WHO'S HAD GOOD LUCK WITH DEX-COOL - Page 3

Late, but heres my 2 cents. I've been driving my 98 jimmy for 1.5 years now, dex-cool equiped. I have had problems with my cooling system, but its prolly my own stupid fault. This summer my res. was low so i was like whatever, ill just get a flush in a few weeks. Low and behold, on my way to work (on the highway) I start to smell fish, get out and see coolant running down my passenger side mudflap. Sweet, heater core took a crap and blew a white mist all over the inside of my windshield, sweet again, now i cant see! $900 later I have a heater core installed.

Now when I got the flush done I noticed I had some "floaties" in the res, before the flush of course. The dude at Midas also said I have a bad rad cap so I got that changed too, and went with the red stuff again

It's not that I have anything against it, but something like a bad rad cap can really kick ya in the nuts, If the red stuff was significantly better, i could see the added hassel as necessary........but i bet ya $10 dex-cool was the culprit to my core failure.
I will continue to use dex-cool in my 4.3 unless more problems arise, but i dont see it happening anytime soon.

sorry for the ramble and vent

x

I figured I'd bump this thread to the top seeing as how many new members don't know it exists.

While I'm at it, I'll reiterate some questions I have posed to those that are dead set against Dexcool.  What has been the outcome of any Dexcool class action law suits?  Show me ONE reputable source that states Dexcool turns into acid.

Hi Kyle, I thought this thread was dead and gone, Thank's for bringing the dead back to life, Again...
I belive this is your Quote from a recent "Intake Manifold Thread?" And I think we can finally agree on the Prestone all makes...
Dino...
 
 
"As for your temperature hunting around like that, you may have air in your system.  If you do, it needs to be removed and fast.  Dexcool is a great coolant, but it doesn't coat the internal passages like the ethylene glycol (green stuff) does.  As a result, air that may become trapped in the system is allowed to oxidize the metal it is in contact with, creating the sludge that has given Dexcool its bad rep.  I have found that the new Prestone All Makes, All Models extended life antifreeze ('big yellow') to be excellent and with the same extended life properties of Dexcool, without the down side of air issues, it is a no-brainer".

Glad this was brought back up.
I just flushed my '00 with 130,000 miles on it 2 weeks ago. Original Dexcool. I replaced nothing and put Dexcool back in it. 
 
 
Some one hinted that the dealer is getting rich off the repair work from Dexcool.
And what is the service life of the green stuff?
With the green stuff you have more frequent serviceing (flushes), and more frequent repairs, replacement of parts.
 
Every vehicle I have owned that came with the green stuff, I have replaced the water pump around the 100,000 mile mark. Every one. That includes GM and Ford.  How long does a DexCool water pump live? So far 130,000 miles. Maybe I am one of the lucky ones? Could be, I am still on the original ball joints too. OR maybe I maintain my vehicles regularly.
 
 

Nice Hanr.....My 1997 just hit 131,000 last week and the original water pump started leaking out the weep hole.  The dex-cool that I took out of it was still like new.  I topped off the original dex-cool 2 years and 31,000 miles ago when I replaced the radiator due to an accident.  It was 8 years old with 100,000 miles on it and the original stuff was still bright orange and very clear.   Of course I filled it back up with dex-cool and didn't replace anything but the water pump this time....I think it'll be good for another 130,000...just as long as I KEEP IT TOPPED OFF.  

I think that's the nail on the head right there. I think I have mentioned it before by saying that proper maintenance is key to anything, and this includes dex-cool. I would say that most of the issues related to dex-cool are closely paired with lack of maintenance.

quote:

ORIGINAL: 4lowlife

My buds '99 Blazer LS had a problem w/ Dexcool.
He kept the overfill bottle topped off and the fluid was always up to the rad cap according to him.

It ate the core.

Before he took it in to get fixed, We had the engine warmed up, and I slowly turned the purge valve on the elbow above the T stat and out came alot of air. (then came out dexcool.)

I think the core had an air pocket and the coolant contributed to it's death.

Was Dexcool used for low maint/longetivity? Kind of like platinum spark plugs?

I don't know but according to a local shop grease monkey there was alot of guck in my core when I had it flushed last Feb.

It's up to you juscarter, if you want Dexcool or the regular sweet stuff put back in. Just purge it out if you can.

Yup, it doesn't take a genius to track this one to the "rotten smell' ,or so you would think...some peoples kids...eh

Just compare effected part sales at your local parts warehouse if you can, or a local shop even. The before and after #'s are staggering.

No one had these types of problems with the green stuff.

My buddy works for ADW, who were exclusively GM/AC Delco and he was warning me (because I had just bought mine) of the huge amount of related parts flying out to the dealerships.

And now crane manufacturers like Manitowoc, Liebherr, Krupp, Demag & Grove, along with alot of the "dirt equipment" manufacturers including Ford and many others have sent out maintenance restrictions.

The construction equipment industry is or has turned there collective back on the product.

Don't let 'em fool ya brother, some people can't take opposing opinion for whatever reason.

Sorry for squeezing you in here with these mugs, had to have my say BTL.

quote:

ORIGINAL: swartlkk

Get the facts straight before spewing FUD.

Say’s you

quote:

ORIGINAL: swartlkk
GM also has been known for weak connection points where the different sections of the core come together. Dexcool DOES NOT eat gaskets or metals, PERIOD.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/08/gm_dexcool.html LMAO

quote:

ORIGINAL: swartlkk
Any further discussion on the topic of Dexcool being harmful will be removed from this thread.

This doesn’t surprise me from a forum bully, lol And you’ll get me banned too, just to return under a different IP and Name…lol

quote:

ORIGINAL:
swartlkkThere is a thread already started that lays out ALL of the facts as well as dispells most all of the FUD everyone and their brother has been brought to believe as fact.

I noticed your the minister of propaganda over there….lol

quote:

ORIGINAL:
Had a bad experience with it, take it up in the Dexcool….

Some of us are, it just takes a phone call. It gave many a lot of grief, frustration, and hardship.

Even by many GM certified Service Techs accounts.

quote:

ORIGINAL:
thread: WHO'S HAD GOOD LUCK WITH DEX-COOL..

Man what have you been smokin’, the guy that started that thread HAD PROBLEMS !

LMAO, you getting’ a reach around from DEX-COOL or something ? Cause many Blazer owners just got the corn holing.

quote:

ORIGINAL:
Read it all before you reply with 'ignorant' comments (to coin a phrase used earlier here).

The evidence/facts weigh in my and many others favor at this point, what else ya got other than an opinion ?
Your kinda easy for a first date…lol

quote:

ORIGINAL: blazinloud

no problem man, i just do what i can to help out......



task=ownd

And you, That’s it that’s the best ya got, what are you some kinda script kiddie…lol You reminded me of Grover Dill in �

quote:

I bought my 98 new, dealer maintenance schedule to the T, and it happened to me 9 months after purchase.

YEA RIGHT!!   This statement ALONE tells me you're just pissed off at dex-cool because you didn't check it and had problems....lmao, and you probably blame the main bearing failure on valvaline or G.M.........not the fact that you drove for 35,000 miles without checking or changing the oil....right?

By the way this http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/08/gm_dexcool.html LMAO  Is just another page of opinions....just like we have here.

quote:

  
My buddy works for ADW, who were exclusively GM/AC Delco and he was warning me (because I had just bought mine) of the huge amount of related parts flying out to the dealerships.

First off...like you have a friend.....LOL...Second..yes they deal EXCLUSIVELY in AC DELCO parts....so what else would be flying off the shelves?

quote:

  
No one had these types of problems with the green stuff.

Yes water pumps, heater cores, radiators intake gaskets head gaskets and everything else that has coolant running through it has leaked since the begining of time.  Cooling system problems certainly did NOT start with the introduction of dex-cool!

quote:

  
The evidence/facts weigh in my and many others favor at this point, what else ya got other than an opinion ?
Your kinda easy for a first date…lol

There was a FACT somewhere in this post?......I must have missed that............LMAO!

Before I go into this, I am going to recommend that ANYONE that feels like posting here, please read through this thread in its ENTIRETY before doing so.  Much has been discussed, refuted, brought back up.  I will try to do a summary at some point...  

Let me reiterate my position here.  I do not particularly like Dexcool or the known effects of allowing air into the system.  In fact, I recommend and use Prestone Yellow extended life antifreeze.  I felt that this thread was started to continue the anti-Dexcool sentiments found all over the internet.  I choose to be on the side of Dexcool for this discussion and found out MANY interesting facts along the way.  Please do prove me wrong, that is part of a debate.  Convince me that Dexcool is the route of all of these troubles and I’ll be the first person to stand up and say I was wrong. 

Now.  To respond to this Task character.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Task

quote:

ORIGINAL: swartlkk
GM also has been known for weak connection points where the different sections of the core come together. Dexcool DOES NOT eat gaskets or metals, PERIOD.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/08/gm_dexcool.html LMAO

And what does that prove?  The 3100 has more than a few TSBs on weak intake manifold gaskets and a revised gasket design has been released.  Good for you!  You found an article discussing just that.  And the 2002 Century (also 3100 v6) in that article has a known flaw in the EGR stove pipe clearance in the plastic upper intake manifold.  GM made the same mistake on the n/a 3800 series 2. 

As lastcoupe has already stated, that article is full of opinions.  Nothing else.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Task

quote:

ORIGINAL: swartlkk
Any further discussion on the topic of Dexcool being harmful will be removed from this thread.

This doesn’t surprise me from a forum bully, lol And you’ll get me banned too, just to return under a different IP and Name…lol

Forum Bully.  Yeah...  Ok...  I'll ignore your ignorance.  Taken in context, there is nothing bully'ish about it.  And I don’t have to get you banned, you’ll do that all for yourself.  All it takes is a click of the mouse on my end, but I’m willing to let you stay and try to prove me wrong.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Task

quote:

ORIGINAL: swartlkk
thread: WHO'S HAD GOOD LUCK WITH DEX-COOL..

Man what have you been smokin’, the guy that started that thread HAD PROBLEMS !

And your point is?  Did you read any of that thread?  Just because the original author had a problem that he supposedly linked to Dexcool doesn't mean that the rest of the content is any less prudent.  Maybe you should take the time to read the appropriate thread before making an ill prepared post.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Task
LMAO, you getting’ a reach around from DEX-COOL or something ? Cause many Blazer owners just got the corn holing.

Who would have thought another immature comment would spew forth.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Task

quote:

ORIGINAL: swartlkk
Read it all before you reply with 'ignorant' comments (to coin a phrase used earlier here).

The evidence/facts weigh in my and many others favor at this point, what else ya got other than an opinion ?
Your kinda easy for a first date…lol

Where is your evidence?  Where are your facts?  You quote one article that I have already dispelled the FUD that was there.  Here are a few facts straight from the article you quoted.  Close to 40 MILLION vehicles sold with Dexcool since 1996.  And how many people have come forward in ALL of these pending class action lawsuits?  I’ll be generous and state 100 thousand. 

OWNED  haha

So, I thought I'd help out with some more information...  This information was current 12/20/2006.

quote:

GM/Dex-Cool Class Action Update

Thank you for your recent communication regarding problems with your GM vehicle factory installed with Dex-Cool. We write to update you concerning the status of the class action case.

Multiple federal cases against GM were consolidated in the United States District Court, Southern District of Illinois. The proposed class presently includes all United States consumers who purchased or leased a 1995- 2004 GM vehicle that came factory-equipped with a 3.1-, 3.4-, 3.8-, or 4.3-Liter engine and Dex-Cool in any state other than California, Missouri and Texas (where related state cases are pending).

In February 2006, a hearing was held regarding Plaintiff’s motion for class certification. As we await the Court’s ruling, we are currently conducting discovery, and litigating the state court actions.

In related GM class actions in state courts, a Missouri state court certified a Missouri class and the Missouri Court of Appeals and the Missouri Supreme Court refused GM’s request to appeal.

Our goal is to send out periodic updates by email, but please contact us if you have questions, want information, or have information that you think might be useful to the case. Please save your repair invoices, receipts, correspondence concerning cooling system repairs and any parts you have. You may contact Dylan Hughes at 866.981.4800 or reply to this email address if you have any further questions.


Girard Gibbs llp
601 California Street, Suite 1400
San Francisco, CA 94108
Phone: (415) 981-4800
Fax: (415) 981-4846
www.girardgibbs.com

Let me add that ALL of these engines in the proposed class action lawsuit have known poor intake manifold gasket designs.

Well GM has deep pockets to cover their asses in some cases. Money influences. 
 
They have the dough to see that the case drags on and ends in their favor.
 
I have yet to see Dexcool rot out my radiator here in Buffalo, NY though.
 
Why don't the Asians use this goo?
 
 

Thanks Lastcoupe!
 
I can only state my opinion and am too lazy to go search the internet for facts. As if everything on the net is facts to begin with.
 
 

Because they use a different formula to create their own extended life coolant....might even be more like the Prestone brand...

If you don't change the green stuff on a regular interval... Doesn't it corrode aluminum? I thought that was the reason GM switched to DEX-COOL in the first place, because they were using aluminum engine parts, and they know a good portion of people are going to be too lazy/stupid to do regular maintenance...
 
I know a guy who never believed in changing his oil, and only topped it up, and at about 120,000kms his engine siezed...
 
These days, people expect to never have any problems with anything, and therefore blame the manufacturer, or seller, for any and all problems, and not just with automobiles (they're just discussed more, because they're more expensive).
 
If all those people that had problems with their dex-cool had been doing PROPER maintenence and inspections, then they would have caught the issue before it became a major problem, and had the trouble spots fixed ON WARRANTY because it's not the coolants fault the owner doesn't look at their vehicle...
 
The extended life oil thing has been covered, so lets use another comparison... If you buy tires, that have an average EXPECTED life of 50,000 miles, does that mean you never check your air pressure or rotate them?

I promised myself I would not come back to this thread anymore,  This thread was intended to be an Opinionated Question about Dexcool,  It seemed to have started a big debate, with some fighting and name calling, and so on... This was never my intenion...We are all here to learn from each other, and by each other's mistake's, As far as what works and what doesn't work. Although nothing will ever change my destructive opinion of dexcool, Only because I have seen the first hand damage it did to my friend's car's and to me personally. Original Dexcool did not work for me. Remember this is MY OPNION...So if you guy's got any stories about dexcool, GOOD or BAD, please post them.

Some interesting INFORMATION about  Red vs.Green, which may shed some light on why dexcool went terribly wrong in some people's radiators. Read it and you be the judge your self???

DINO, welcome back! 

I went to VT a few weeks back and noticed at the motel my overflow res was empty. The rad was low on coolant too. I found a leak under the rad and have been using the no name brand coolant from Walmart. For $6.00 a jug you cant go wrong.  I don't care what I use anymore. I may sell the Blazer summmertime.

I'm going to try that Bar's Leaks "Stop Leak" on it. The product is somewhat working on my 14 yr old radiator on the '93 Ranger. 235,xxx miles on it.

Bar's Leak Worked wonders for me on an old truck I had with a bad leak, And I fully agree with you on the $6.00 a gallon Wal-Mart Anti freeze, That's what I have in mine now... 

An opinionated question is just another way of saying debate.  I do regret that some people felt the need to resort to name calling.  I myself am guilty of that to a certain extent in my replies to a certain member in this thread.

However, that does not take away from the facts and/or opinions that are laid out in this thread.  There is a lot of information to take in. 

I would still like to know what the outcome of all of these proposed Class Action lawsuits has been or what the prospects even are for them.  Have they been dropped?  Are they moving forward and gaining momentum?  I posted information above on one class action lawsuit that is being proposed and so far it looks like only Missouri was granted 'Class' status.  The rest are pending - mostlikely pending the results of the Missouri case.

There has also been a lot of accusations made against Dexcool.  Until valid sources are laid out (testing, etc), these are only FUD.

"It turns into ACID" - Please confirm with appropriate sources. 
"It corrodes aluminum" - Sources???

I'm sure there are more, but I don't feel like looking back through everything right now.

Oh and let me just say that the Task character still holds a valid membership here.  He was never banned or even PMd any warnings over his antics in this and another thread.  He hasn't even logged in since his post here was refuted. 

I thought this article (below) was interesting, so perhaps some of you here will too. I think that when talking about this problem it might be best to take anecdotal evidence into full consideration only with an understanding of the chemistry behind the problem. Otherwise it just gets into speculation, which while useful, is still just guessing. I mean, if there is a problem, what is the physical/chemical mechanism that causes it? Then it would be reasonable to say: if that chemical mechanism is likely to occur, then it's probably a bad idea to use that chemical. If not, then it's probably ok (barring unforseen circumstances) unless there's a better alternative. Everything has a certain amount of risk, so it's just a statistical rationale more or less.
 
Oh and the article; GM maintains the chemistry behind DEX-COOL works according to spec, but admits there are design flaws in specific models engines that make circumstances that negatively affect DEX-COOL, which sounds very familiar to one of the mechanics comments earlier. If anyone has that video it mentions and there's an interesting part or parts, please post it to youtube and link it .
 
http://www.imcool.com/articles/antifreeze-coolant/dexcool-macs2001.htm
 
MACS 2001: GM and Texaco “Bare All” about DEX-COOL®
by I.M. Cool
Appeared Jan/Feb 2001 Cool Profit$ Magazine
© 2001 All Rights Reserved
As in the past, the MACS 2001 Convention and Trade Show in Orlando provided some very interesting and helpful air conditioning information. However, the sleeper presentation at this show was not about refrigerant, but—of all things—engine coolant! (Sleeper does not refer to making you sleepy; it was anything but boring.)
Marketing departments of major consumer goods manufacturers are known for their attempt to conceal even a shred of negative publicity about their products. You can’t blame them; you do the same in your business. That’s why it was refreshing to witness a candid GM/Texaco presentation about DEX-COOL coolant and its related field service problems. I give the big guys credit for even bringing up the subject because, well, let’s face it, there are not a lot of kind words being spoken about this coolant at automotive service shops today. (Especially at radiator shops.)
Left: 14-Minute GM Training Video is now available to help technicians service known cooling system contamination problems in specific GM vehicles.
GM’s Jay Dankovich and Equilon Enterprises’ (Texaco) Stede Granger directed a 2-year study of thousands of DEX-COOL cooled vehicles. Armed with the results, they really didn’t have anything bad to say about the coolant. In fact, they strongly defended the product’s reputation. What they revealed to the audience is that specific models of GM vehicles have specific cooling system contamination problems. And essentially, that DEX-COOL is not the culprit!
Their presentation started with a 14-minute video that is now being circulated to technicians at GM dealers nationwide. In the video, GM’s trainers succinctly described the problems that have been found and the corresponding corrective actions to be taken by technicians.
Suggestion. This video is a “must see” for all technicians considering themselves antifreeze/coolant experts. Without this information, your cooling system service knowledge of late model GM vehicles is severely limited. Seriously!
Fortunately, you can buy the video for only $10 (plus S&H). Call MSX International of Auburn Hills, Michigan at 800-393-4831. Ask for the DEX-COOL Video: “Understanding Radiator Cap and Cooling System Contamination.” Part number: RADCAPK. Immediately following this article is a report on this training video by John Brunner, recently retired GM field service representative.
What was said at the presentation? Besides th

Thank's Kerander, Very Intresting Read.....................
 
DINO......................

Don't mean to bring up a dead topic, but I'd like to add my situation in.

I just got a 1997 GMC Jimmy which was owned since new by my uncle. It has a little under 125,000 miles on it. I couldn't tell for sure whether the coolant is from the factory or not...but what I do know is:

Water Pump went about 7 weeks ago...changed it and put in radiator cleaner to get rid of the heavy coating of brown **** in the system...ran it like that for about 500 miles when the cap detiorated quite badly (chips all around the seal)...changed it...no biggy, could be factory equipment as well. So I refilled with flush and ran it for another 400 miles until tonight when the heater core started leaking pretty badly...

Now like I said, I don't know how maintenance was regarded on this...but I do know that if the systems are neglected, they really get pissed off. I'm hoping after I replace this heater core I'll be over this reliability hump, but we'll find out in about a week when I drive from OC to Vegas, then back, then to Mexico, then back again, then to Colorado and back. hahah I love my Senior year summer I just hope I don't run into any more problems with this beast. I'm trying to catch up on all the neglected stuff from the past few years and boy is it expensive!

Well, I think that a chemical flush on a 10 year & 125k mile old vehicle is an iffy thing at best.  The heater cores on these trucks are known to not be all that strong so to make it this long...  Whenever a cooling system is opened up for work, I would recommend that you change the thermostat and the radiator cap.  They're both cheap and if either of them fail...

And no problem digging up an old thread like this.  Some of these debates just shouldn't die.

Normal anti-freeze is a cooler color.