71 C10

My 2002 S-10 ZR2 pickup has been at my local Chevrolet dealer for almost a week. Problem? The orange Dexcool coolant turned to play dough clogging the cooling system and causing a blown lower intake gasket. This truck only has 25,000 miles on it. I could not believe the mess that I saw just in the radiator. I had several rounds with the extended warranty people, the dealer, and finally General Motors. Two full days of discussion (some heated) and the extended warranty agreed to pay for everything including a new radiator.($1500.00+) Problem is the coolant of choice is good ol' Dexcool. Why do all of this work and put that crap right back in it? I have almost 2 years left on the extended warranty and I'm sure that I'll have to leave the Dexcool in the system until the warranty expires or they will deny any future claims. Upon expiration I'll change to green coolant. In the mean time is there anything that I can do to keep from having future problems with the dexcool until it can be replaced with Prestone? Why does GM keep using Dexcool if so many people are having problems with it?

blazee

Change it every three years. Make sure that you keep a good Stant 16 lb radiator cap on it. The AC Delcos that GM uses are faulty. Also make sure that you keep the coolant full at all times and you will have no problems.

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dmbrisket 51

no problem with the coolent, the problem comes in with the rad. caps, they suck, air gets in the system and boom, you have sludge

xtrememeasures10

Well said. Im happy w/ my dex. I drain the radiator once a year, whether it needs it or not. And my good old slant cap is holding up just fine. No fluid loss like there is with the green shit. I never have to top mine off.

71 C10

Guys, I appreciate your replies. I picked my truck up today and I'll be picking up a new stant radiator cap. Dexcool appears to be a product you like, or hate. I have to chuckle at the green s**t comment, If you really want to see what s**t looks like, look in my "old" radiator that had to be replaced at 25,000 miles. The s**t is orange,but none the less, it's s**t!

I'm going to try to cover all of my bases and change the radiator cap as well as keeping a closer eye on the dexcool. Any other suggestions will be appreciated.

Scope of work due to coolant failure:
1. Replace lower intake gasket.
2. Replace radiator and cap (GM that I'll be changing)
3. Flush cooling system 3 times to get everything clean.
4. Replace thermostat.

Total cost of repairs: $1256.27

Truck was down seven days. Extended warranty company agreed to pay for everything but the system flush, then completely denied the claim, then reopened the claim,then agreed to pay for everything but the radiator, then agreed to pay for everything including the radiator.

The repairs only took a day, but we had to haggle with the warranty company for days, finally involving the General Manager of the dealership and General Motors themselves before this issue could be resolved. At this point the repair issue is resolved. What can I expect down the road? Time will tell.

brightdim03

i had a similar problem, its not the dexcool, its the engine, when air gets in the system it gums up once it overheats, and the 4.3 is NOT a cool running engine

71 C10

Who sells Stant radiator caps for my 2002 ZR2? So far I know Autozone does not.

blazee

Advance auto
Stant Model 11230 or 11330

11330 may be available at walmart.



11230 is a normal sealed cap

11330 is the cap with the pressure release lever

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dmbrisket 51

get a 230, no need or sence in the 15 bucks for a lever

blazee

Where did you get that from?

11230 is $4.68:
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?mfrcode=STB&mfrpartnumber=11230 &parttype=116&ptset=A

11330 is $5.68:
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?mfrcode=STB&mfrpartnumber=11330 &parttype=116&ptset=A

I use the 11330, because if I have any problems, I like the ability to relieve the pressure without having to worry about getting burned.

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rdball

Anybody have comments about the Prestone 5\150 (GM Dexcool approved) coolant? Dexcool stopped up my 96. After replacing the water pump, thermostat, flushing the radiator and heater core numerous times to remove the crap, I used this. No problems after 14 months.

ASE Tech1457

15 bucks for a lever?? not where I live, or maybe its because i get a discount, Autozone does sell them (they supply us). Dex-cool is Definately better than green why do you think EVERY car manufacturer is switching to a long life silicate free dex cool based coolant? The reason you cant use green in a 4.3 or any of the newer models is because green contains silicates, and silicates dont like aluminum, and guess what the water pumps are made of nowadays, thats right aluminum. But now that thats out of my system, green coolant barely lasts 30000 miles, my dex is still fine after 80k, my advice: have it flushed at a shop with BG products, BG is the shit! I would change mine every 80-90k despite gm's claims of 100 and even 150k coolant life. just my 2 cents