Is Dex-Cool bad?

[Bonnewagon]

I am in the process of rebuilding my Sunfire's AC so why not replace the perfectly good heater core as well? A total system flush is in order if for no other reason that it's 13 years old. The manual says to ONLY use Dex-Cool or risk corrosion and damage to the engine's aluminum parts . It is an iron block w/aluminum head, radiator, and heater core. I have read lots of horror stories about it eating seals and blowing head gaskets, but that appears to actually have been traced to low coolant levels and non-maintenance. I know you can flush and refill with the regular green stuff, but is there really any harm done by staying with the Dex-Cool? My Bonnewagon's 301 is iron and has an aluminum radiator, but I used the green stuff and distilled water with no apparent problems. I am not concerned about the cost (it's even on sale for less than the green ) but rather if anyone has any solid data that Dex-Cool should NOT be used.

 

[-83MONTESS-]

I cant really tell you if Dex is good or not but the flushing and converting process is a pain. You really gotta get EVERY drop of DexCool out to change coolant types or you will be pulling mud from your radiator for days. Theres actually a very precise procedure involved in doing this. Another problem with the reputation of DexCool is people failing to use the additive that GM clearly states should be used with it to help with keeping it from gumming up or eating seals. This came from my instructor (a certified GM technician from 90-06) when I asked him a similar question. Hope this helps

 

[Bonnewagon]

What additive? That's good to know!

 

[richp85elco]

it sux A$$, destroys intake manifold seals on W bodies and other cars, had to replace mine on my 04 impala right at about 100k like almost everyone else and finally just switched to the green stuff. but if your not having problems with it then you should be ok...It turns to mud if you have air in your system so make sure you bleed it good If you want to switch the flushing process is not difficult.. drain the dex cool, flush radiator with water with drain open, then close drain fill with water and a flushing additive get the car up to temp and let it run for a while, then repeat with just water drain, and you should be golden. Change intervals for the green stuff are more frequent but they have made a extended life version I just have not tried it

 

[foxtrot]

My 2002 Chevy MC had all original parts and read 198k on the odo when I gave it away. I only changed the Dex, once @ 100k and also put in the additive at that time. Dex isn't bad at all - I also have two other cars that run Dex and are fine. One of my current cars that runs Dex is ten years old. My G-Body runs the Green stuff.

 

[-83MONTESS-]

What additive? That's good to know!

I honestly cant remember what the additive was called but im pretty sure Havoline still carries it because they were the first to produce Dex Cool for GM. If my computer could load another page im sure I could get the link but I cant right now for some reason :?

 

[Bonnewagon]

This is a good read.http://www.getahelmet.com/jeeps/maint/dexcool/

 

[-83MONTESS-]

This is a good read.http://www.getahelmet.com/jeeps/maint/dexcool/

Thats the one! Glad you found it. It should have some good info on the additive to use

 

[Dennyboy]

Ive allways used dexcool. The "MUD" is also part of the factory stop leak. And the dexcool has nothing to do with the intakes on the W bodies. it's poor design along with many other seals that GM uses. The problem with Dexcool is that nobody maintains it, or they don't use distilled water, or gets contaminated.

I run dexcool in my cutlass and my s10 that origionally was the green coolant. mostly because i get it for free but i think it's a good product.

 

[ERIC87442]

Dex cool is good if properly maintained. Muriatric acid and water will get all the dex cool out to put the green stuff in with no problem. not sure how much of what though