Hello
I read an article in the Toronto Star on Satuday May 22, 05. It was in the "Wheels" section which is included every Saturday and deals specifically with cars and trucks where readers can write in with questions/complaints about their vehicles.
One reader wrote about whether or not dexcool was "absolutely necessary" when topping up his overflow tank. The article went on to say that some technicians recommend switching to regular green antifreeze because the Dexcool was responsible for some engine problems. The article didn't say what kind of engine problems.
Anybody else heard of this?
Walt from Toronto
NEVER MIX TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF COOLANT! EVER! If you ever decide to switch to a different type of coolant, your system needs to be FULLY flushed, and I mean, flushed VERY WELL.
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about
the former." - Albert Einstein
dexcool is excellent stuff no problems with it i would say, except people are irresponsible and they don't take care of their cars properly, the dexcool lasts for 5yrs or 160k miles (250k km), after 5 yrs it should be changed thats the key. Also its a good idea to keep any eye on it and make sure to fill it.
Quote:
NEVER MIX TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF COOLANT! EVER! If you ever decide to switch to a different type of coolant, your system needs to be FULLY flushed, and I mean, flushed VERY WELL.
I thought that too.. But 2 years ago my dealer topped up the overflow tank with green coolant.. So now my coolant is brown (red dexcool + green coolant) I asked them if it's ok, and they said should be fine.. My car hasn't overheated or anything since then.
Dark blue 2002 Z24, 2.4 Ltr.
I flushed my 2002 OHV engine and switched to regular green antifreeze. I heard too much bad about Dexcool. BTW I drain and refill with 50/50 mix once a year. You will never, ever have a cooling system failure due to rust or corrosion if you do this. No need to flush after your initial changeover.
God bless America.
I was insrtucted that mixing the two creates a "gel' like coolant, which is not good.
How true it is, I don't know, never mixed them.
I was told this by an Instructor when I was in school, who was also a GM master Tech, so I believe him.
Put what belongs is what I was tought, and I agree, you can't go wrong with that.
Well, mine never gelled up.. It has never overheated.. Long time affects? Who knows.. The car is finally going back to the dealer in a couple of months for good (yay), so it won't be my problem..
Dark blue 2002 Z24, 2.4 Ltr.
lone_wolf wrote:Quote:
NEVER MIX TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF COOLANT! EVER! If you ever decide to switch to a different type of coolant, your system needs to be FULLY flushed, and I mean, flushed VERY WELL.
I thought that too.. But 2 years ago my dealer topped up the overflow tank with green coolant.. So now my coolant is brown (red dexcool + green coolant) I asked them if it's ok, and they said should be fine.. My car hasn't overheated or anything since then.
Not good. I work in a Chevy parts department and have seen radiators come in that this happens to. May be fine for a while, but eventually the two will basically form a gel or paste that will clog up the radiator beyond repair. The two are not compatible. You may want to keep a close eye on this.
Coolants shouldnever be mixed. They contain different additives that react in different ways.
The only mixing that should ever be done is a 50/50 water mix in green antifreeze. The water allows a reaction to occur that increases the boiling point and decreases the freezing point of the overall mixture (or one or the other).
Although I too heard that dexcool is bad. One of the guys in the MN-Js wrote "DONT" above the sticker that says "ALWAYS USE DEXCOOL" or whatever. He says it can gum-up.
-- The The One One --
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Now that it is no longer freezing, you can add water to the coolant as a "temp" fix, but it needs to be fixed for real at some point, just do not mix.
Adding water will be cheaper than adding the wrong coolant, for now.
In winter, that could crack an engine block.
80% water, 20% dex cool, 1 bottle Redline Water Wetter. this works good, keeps temps a little better than stock mix. may want to increase coolant % in very cold climates. i use this mix in central Florida...we only see lower than 40 degrees a couple times a year...lowest was 32 once in the 9 years ive been here.
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