RE: WHO'S HAD GOOD LUCK WITH DEX-COOL
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RE: WHO'S HAD GOOD LUCK WITH DEX-COOL - 7/29/2006 3:17:24 PM
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lastcoupe
Posts: 1137
Joined: 7/27/2006
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OK people having finally read all of this thread I feel it's time for my 2 cents. I have worked for a Chevy dealer since 1997. I have also owned several G.M. vehicles equipped with dex-cool engine coolant,(96 Corsica, 96 Grand-Prix, 97 Cavalier, 98 K-1500 pickup) and still own one (97 T-Blazer). ALL of these vehicles were also equipped with an ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE, which is intended to warn the operator of malfunctions with the cooling system, and they tend to do a good job of this. I change the oil and filter every 3000 miles on all my vehicles and when I do I lube the chassis, (where applicable) check and correct the tire pressures, air filter, lube all of the door hinges and latches and check and TOP-OFF all fluid levels. I NEVER open my hood any other time unless one of my gauges indicates a problem or there is some driveability concern, which never happens on G.M. vehicles, that's why I love-em'. Notice that I did not state that I flush my cooling systems.
My 96 Corsica I bought new at Zanesville Chevrolet in June of 1996 it was a 3100 V6 with a 4t60E transaxle. In December 2001 the car had accumulated 120,000 miles and the water pump started leaking. The car still had the factory filled dex-cool and I never had to add a drop to it. When I drained the radiator that day to replace the water pump the dex-cool still looked like orange kool-aid and there was absolutely no other concerns with the cooling system. That's 5.5 years and 120,000 miles and absolutely no problems!!
I have also personally had NO concerns with any dex-cool filled system on my own vehicles. I have to say that I have seen MANY MANY problems with dex-cool where I work, but here is a very interesting fact; Of all of the litterally thousands of G.M. cars and trucks that we service day-in and day-out, I have ONLY seen the MUD/SLUGE problem in the 4.3 equipped S and T trucks (blazer,s-10,sonoma,jimmy,bravada etc.) I have never seen any kind of sediment build up in ANY other type of vehicle including the 2.2 s trucks. Therefor I believe (and this is only one man's opinion) that it is a problem with heat disipation or something along those lines with the S and T trucks with a 4.3 engine. We all know how tight things are under these hoods. But that being said and as far as the maintenance thing goes, my brother bought my 97 blazer new and I have serviced it for him and myself ever since. The dex-cool in it was NEVER changed (I did top it off a couple of times at service intervals) until my sister-in-law rear-ended someone in late 2003 when it had 99,112 miles on it, this is when I bought it from my brother and replaced the front sheet-metal,radiator, condenser etc.. The dex-cool still looked like new just like my Corsica did.
Now that you have read the long story, (sorry) here's the short one, Dex-cool is no worse than the old stuff! I mean honestly guys how many times have you opened the cooling system on an ethelyne-glycol (green) equipped vehicle and saw a dirty, rust-brown colored liquid that used to be bright green? The supposed law-suits are just a result of EXPECTED LIFE of the coolant. I say keep em' full and watch those gauges!
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ASE & GM certified Pro Auto Technician
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RE: WHO'S HAD GOOD LUCK WITH DEX-COOL - 7/29/2006 9:34:54 PM
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cherryred4x4
Posts: 382
Joined: 1/20/2006
From: Raleigh, NC
Status: offline
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Ok, I've read through this post and kept up with it and I guess I'll throw my 1 cent in..lol. I have had moderate problems with the fluid in the overflow container becoming brownish, and a heater core that is partially plugged with hardened dexcool, but I dont completely blame GM, I'm sure there has been air in the system at one point, it happens, no matter how good you keep your maintenance. I had to replace my radiator recently because of a small leak, it also had a brown film, but I'm not going to sue or complain to the dealership for the $200. With as many miles I have put on my Blazer, I consider that relatively normal wear and tear. I probably contributed to it by converting to green without having a complete 5 min. chemical flush, who knows. The simple fact is air will get into the system at some point - consider that your 50/50 mix is half water. Water + Air + Steel or Iron = Rust. If you top off your radiator with the garden hose your are adding the metals in your tap water to the system also.
On the other hand, those owners with cars with only say 20,000 miles that are filled with brown sludge or sand have every right to complain. 20,000 is an awfully short useful life span of any coolant, that is a sign of a defect with the cooling system in that specific vehicle. Those owners should get compensation. But if it turns to sludge at 99,900 miles and you report it at the end of the usefull life and expect full compensation, thats asking an awful lot, a lot can happen in 99,900 miles, including bad maintenance.
These problems dont just happen overnight, the film builds up over time, giving you time to notice it before you need a new engine. Typically the first places for buildup are in the overflow tank, and at the cap, the two places that most people check, you have several thousand miles to catch it in most cases. And for those that dont do your own maintenance, most oil change places check your coolant levels and air filter and let you know if it needs topped up or changed.
_____________________________
Adam
-Virginia Tech '08 - Building Construction
2006 GMC Canyon Crew Cab Z71 4x4---New---
1995 Cherry Red 4WD 4-Door, 4.3 "W" GU6---Traded 7/7/07---
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RE: WHO'S HAD GOOD LUCK WITH DEX-COOL - 7/29/2006 9:46:49 PM
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swartlkk
Posts: 14299
Joined: 5/1/2005
From: Waterloo, NY
Status: offline
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And 20,000 divided by the total number of vehicles produced with dexcool is... Exactly.
And please do-tell where you got the information that Dexcool turns into acid when in the presence of air... The problem stems from the fact that dexcool does not coat the internal metals like ethelyne-glycol (which reduces said coolants cooling capacity I might add - I can elaborate if necessary). As a result, there is not a protective film if air is allowed into the system. If air is allowed to remain in the system, corrosion will set in.
Dexcool does not eat gaskets. That is completely false. Do not blame a poor gasket design on a coolant. GM has had a problem with intake manifold gaskets LONG before they switched to Dexcool. And it is quite possible that a blown intake gasket has caused air to be introduced into the cooling system, yada-yada-yada.
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Kyle-
2004 Rainier
1970 Chevelle - Resto
1974 K5 Blazer - Resto
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RE: WHO'S HAD GOOD LUCK WITH DEX-COOL - 7/29/2006 10:02:04 PM
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cherryred4x4
Posts: 382
Joined: 1/20/2006
From: Raleigh, NC
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It really is simple, water and steel need air before the oxidation process begins. My dad had a 96 C2500 that blew an intake manifold gasket at 75K, it only had Dexcool for 30 miles of its life, it was almost instantly changed to the Prestone environmentally-friendly stuff that was being produced at the time, I agree with Kyle on the intake manifold gasket debate, it was a poor design, not a very precise fitment at the location where most fail.
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Adam
-Virginia Tech '08 - Building Construction
2006 GMC Canyon Crew Cab Z71 4x4---New---
1995 Cherry Red 4WD 4-Door, 4.3 "W" GU6---Traded 7/7/07---
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RE: WHO'S HAD GOOD LUCK WITH DEX-COOL - 7/30/2006 7:38:25 AM
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swartlkk
Posts: 14299
Joined: 5/1/2005
From: Waterloo, NY
Status: offline
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And you can quote from the article linked to above... What's the point?
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Kyle-
2004 Rainier
1970 Chevelle - Resto
1974 K5 Blazer - Resto
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RE: WHO'S HAD GOOD LUCK WITH DEX-COOL - 7/30/2006 10:04:00 AM
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cherryred4x4
Posts: 382
Joined: 1/20/2006
From: Raleigh, NC
Status: offline
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The intake manifold gasket is a problem of not enough material around where the water neck enters the top/front of the engine, the gasket breaks out on its side and floods the closest cylinder, and its a chain reaction from there. This is what the head tech told us at the local dealership, and showed us the gasket that came out of my dad's truck. This problem has been present in the 262 (4.3), 305, and 350 for years now.
_____________________________
Adam
-Virginia Tech '08 - Building Construction
2006 GMC Canyon Crew Cab Z71 4x4---New---
1995 Cherry Red 4WD 4-Door, 4.3 "W" GU6---Traded 7/7/07---
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RE: WHO'S HAD GOOD LUCK WITH DEX-COOL - 10/12/2006 11:37:30 PM
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LOCOMOCONOMO
Posts: 4
Joined: 10/12/2006
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I didn't take time to read all the posts here, but i figured I'd chime in as well. I bought my 99 4wd blazer from my sister who got it new from gm. I bought it in 2001 and it had 32000 miles on it. I had all the fluids changed at the local dealer and the service advisor pointed out some "abnormal" corrosion in my radiator. The trans cooler, the part visible when you take the cap off, was RED and fuzzy looking. YEP, it was rust. They said they'd powerflush blah, blah, blah ad nauseum.....but no warranty replacement. Anyway, I've had the system flushed a half dozen times since then, and if it wasn't for the fact that my 94 Toyota p/u was sooooooo dependable, I'd have driven the blazer more and probably flushed the system a dozen more times. Anyway, i've replaced every cooling system part except the radiator a time or two because I was just too lazy or stupid to do it all at once, maybe I should have said too poor??? Well, i just installed a Visteon and a new heater core and new hoses and the water pump is awaiting. I guess the fault may have been my sisters for not taking the time to monitor the coolant properly, but then again, I've been taking care of my cars for years, for better or worse and I've never seen the Green do this kind of damage to a relatively new, low mileage vehicle. I personally will never put dexcool in anything I own.
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RE: WHO'S HAD GOOD LUCK WITH DEX-COOL - 10/13/2006 2:46:20 PM
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blazinloud
Posts: 2425
Joined: 2/8/2006
From: Saskatoon, Canada
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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 
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slammins15
Posts: 76
Joined: 7/10/2006
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[Awaiting Approval]
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RE: WHO'S HAD GOOD LUCK WITH DEX-COOL - 12/27/2006 8:22:18 AM
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swartlkk
Posts: 14299
Joined: 5/1/2005
From: Waterloo, NY
Status: offline
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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.
_____________________________
Kyle-
2004 Rainier
1970 Chevelle - Resto
1974 K5 Blazer - Resto
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RE: WHO'S HAD GOOD LUCK WITH DEX-COOL - 12/27/2006 1:10:49 PM
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DINO55
Posts: 142
Joined: 3/5/2006
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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".
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RE: WHO'S HAD GOOD LUCK WITH DEX-COOL - 12/27/2006 2:00:28 PM
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Hanr3
Wheels & Tire Moderator
Posts: 3476
Joined: 5/11/2005
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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.
_____________________________
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference.
The Marines don't have that problem."
-President Ronald Reagan
'87 S10-Blazer - SOLD
'93 S10-Blazer 4x4x4 - Sons DD, engine swap is done.
'00 S10-Blazer 4x4x4 - My
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RE: WHO'S HAD GOOD LUCK WITH DEX-COOL - 12/27/2006 2:56:32 PM
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lastcoupe
Posts: 1137
Joined: 7/27/2006
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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.
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ASE & GM certified Pro Auto Technician
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RE: WHO'S HAD GOOD LUCK WITH DEX-COOL - 12/27/2006 3:00:31 PM
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m00nwater
Posts: 3269
Joined: 3/10/2005
From: Redbridge, but I now live in the 'shwa
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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.
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:::::::::::::::::::::::::: little girl in a big truck:::::::::::::::::::::::::::
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RE: WHO'S HAD GOOD LUCK WITH DEX-COOL - 12/27/2006 6:28:06 PM
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Task
Posts: 3
Joined: 12/26/2006
Status: offline
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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 â
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RE: WHO'S HAD GOOD LUCK WITH DEX-COOL - 12/27/2006 6:29:56 PM
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lastcoupe
Posts: 1137
Joined: 7/27/2006
Status: offline
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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!
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RE: WHO'S HAD GOOD LUCK WITH DEX-COOL - 12/27/2006 7:36:21 PM
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swartlkk
Posts: 14299
Joined: 5/1/2005
From: Waterloo, NY
Status: offline
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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.
< Message edited by swartlkk -- 12/27/2006 8:06:01 PM >
_____________________________
Kyle-
2004 Rainier
1970 Chevelle - Resto
1974 K5 Blazer - Resto
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