Topic: Changing Dex-Cool @ 5 Years 63,000 KM

[RunsinLight]

06 Pontiac Pursuit GT
Approx 63,000 Experience

Received a letter in the mail saying I should change my coolant. I wanted to get some background information this. Is it something I should get done?

[rrocket]

IMMEDIATELY!!  Stuff is crap-tastic!!  Surprised it hasn't fouled your cooling system already!!

[RunsinLight]

Has GM used it in all their cars in recent years?

[rrocket]

Has GM used it in all their cars in recent years?

On all the cars that blew the intake gasket!! 


Arctic will be around shortly to fill you in with all the details.

[rrocket]

In the mean time, you can amuse yourself by reading these consumer complaints:

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/gm_dexcool.html

[RunsinLight]

I see people mentioning corrosion.  This area that dex-crap travels through... Is this an area that Krown  would help?

In the mean time, you can amuse yourself by reading these consumer complaints:

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/gm_dexcool.html

[rrocket]

I see people mentioning corrosion.  This area that dex-crap travels through... Is this an area that Krown  would help?

In the mean time, you can amuse yourself by reading these consumer complaints:

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/gm_dexcool.html

Uhhhhh.....the corrosion is INSIDE the engine.  So no...Krown will not help. 

[RunsinLight]

I'll get it changed on the weekend. This will certainly be on my check list for my next car purchase.

[articsteve]

I'll get it changed on the weekend. This will certainly be on my check list for my next car purchase.

DEXCOOL is very difficult to get fully rid of it.

Easiest way is to simply drain the rad.  Refill with water, drive around with heater on.  Repeat 3 times.  Then refill with either the "green stuff" or "Zerex G05" types found in Ford, Honda, Toyota, BMW, etc.

There were numerous successful class action suits against GM over Dexcool, but everyone got burned in the Bankruptcy.  Don't know if the idiots are still filling their vehicles with Dexcool.

[RunsinLight]

Don't know if the idiots are still filling their vehicles with Dexcool.

The Letter I got from them says only Dex Cool can take the heat off your GM car. I'd say that's a Yes  It also says  Dex Cool is the coolant of choice at GM Goodwrench outlets everywhere.

[rrocket]

Don't know if the idiots are still filling their vehicles with Dexcool.

The Letter I got from them says only Dex Cool can take the heat off your GM car. I'd say that's a Yes  It also says  Dex Cool is the coolant of choice at GM Goodwrench outlets everywhere.

Don't do it.....

[HeliDriver]

As artic said, it's a real pain to get rid of the Dexcool properly.

From what I've read, the Dexcool itself isn't the real problem, rather it's the crazy long change intervals that GM recommends.

On our truck, I decided to keep the Dexcool and change it out every two years like you'd do with regular coolant. I'll keep you posted as to how that works out for me.

[george]

Dexcool is not half as bad as some make it out to be. Dexcool works very well in well-maintained cooling systems, Dexcool causes problems if the cooling system is neglected.

I have the original fill Dexcool in my 2006 Sierra. I plan on putting in fresh Dexcool this summer.

For all you Dex sceptics, ponder this -- Ford is switching over, worldwide, to a Dexcool-like coolant.

[Turbo Bob]

I see people mentioning corrosion.  This area that dex-crap travels through... Is this an area that Krown  would help?

In the mean time, you can amuse yourself by reading these consumer complaints:

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/gm_dexcool.html

Uhhhhh.....the corrosion is INSIDE the engine.  So no...Krown will not help. 

    Post of the week!

[articsteve]

As artic said, it's a real pain to get rid of the Dexcool properly.

From what I've read, the Dexcool itself isn't the real problem, rather it's the crazy long change intervals that GM recommends.

On our truck, I decided to keep the Dexcool and change it out every two years like you'd do with regular coolant. I'll keep you posted as to how that works out for me.

Right.  "Apparently" 3 years is as long as it lasts and then it starts to turn acidic.

[PJungnitsch]

From what I understand one big problem is the Dexcool specific 2-EH4 eats plastic gaskets. Some engine designs are not troubled by this and some are.

The second active ingredient is used by other makers without trouble.

[rrocket]

From what I understand one big problem is the Dexcool specific 2-EH4 eats plastic gaskets. Some engine designs are not troubled by this and some are.

The second active ingredient is used by other makers without trouble.

When Honda was making the engines for the Saturns, Honda said "no thanks" when GM wanted to use Dex-Cool in those engines IIRC..

[overtakeyouintheleftlane]

I've had my Dex Cool changed on my car. The GM manual says to change it at 5 years/240,000,km, I had it changed a bit earlier. My car just hit 185,000km this morning and has never had the intake manifold problem or cooling system problems. Maybe GM fixed the problems by the 2003 models???

I just follow the severe servicing intervals and change the fluids a little earlier than recommended in the manual.

No trouble from the 3.4 L V6 for the last 8 years (knock on wood).

[articsteve]

My car just hit 185,000km this morning and has never had the intake manifold problem or cooling system problems.

Key word here is YET.

I had it changed a bit earlier

You had some changed out.

The fact remains DEXCOOL is sh*t.

Even HOAT coolants should be changed @ 3 years.  We're talking $20 in product.

If manufacturers claim that their coolants last 5 years they receive an EPA credit.  Usual lame US policy.

[maritime_storm]

GM makes/made 2 mistakes with Dexcool, they used incompatible gaskets with it in certain V-6 engines because they we're to cheap to spend 10c more on the proper gasket materials, then they refused to redesign the cooling systems from an open to a closed system. DEXCOOL doesn't play well with air, it reacts with it to form even stronger acids, with then allows it to eat through certain gasket materials. On those engines designed from day one to use DEXCOOL, their has been no issues with it. Both Ford and Dodge have used it and Ford is once again now using DEXCOOL in their engines. Regadless, coolant should be changed every couple of years, regardless of type, all types break down and turn acidic with time.