DexCool for 2001 Astro Van???

I've been reading that Dexcool is some real lousy stuff for engines, it deteriorates head gasket material on engines and such then you have an engine rebuild coming down the pike at you. My 2001 Astro came with Dexcool from the factory but I'm thinking of changing it out with regular green prestone. Seems like everyone I talk to says to get it out of the vehicle now to avoid problems later.

Does anyone have an opinion on this? Thanks.

This is a subject that usually produces heated threads. I will just say that I've seen the damage that dexcool can do, first hand. I've seen many vehicles with dexcool problems, including some of my own. I have currently switched all my vehicles to the standard green antifreeze and have had no further problems. If you choose to switch, you must get all the dexcool out of the system, you cannot mix the two. The system must be thoroughly flushed, I explain how in this thread:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=405811


Be aware that switching antifreeze may void your warranty.

In the first years of dexcool use it was troublesome. You should be fine if you keep up to date on your servicing.

i have a 90 and no way will i use dexcool, my mechanic said stick with the green stuff, you put that in and you'll turn your heater core to mush

I've been reading that Dexcool is some real lousy stuff for engines, it deteriorates head gasket material on engines and such then you have an engine rebuild coming down the pike at you. My 2001 Astro came with Dexcool from the factory but I'm thinking of changing it out with regular green prestone. Seems like everyone I talk to says to get it out of the vehicle now to avoid problems later.

Does anyone have an opinion on this? Thanks.

I cleaned well over 100 vehicles with that dexcool garbage, you can pay now or you will pay$$$$$$ later. 75,000 dexcool turns to mush, fouls out heater core, radiator, t-stat, overflow and water pump if you stay with it, may as well get ready, set.. go to the shop and grab your ankles

Our Blazer now has about 20K miles on it and I can see the brown streaks in the coolant. I'm going to get it out of there pretty soon. On the other hand I've seen many GM vehicles that have zero problems with it and even after 100K miles the radiator looks brand new, so if maybe if you keep a close watch on it, the Dexcool might be the way to go. I've bought a couple gallons of Prestone Extended life coolant for mine, no more Dexcool.

it shouldnt have any problems if you get it changed regularly.. just because it says 5 years doesnt mean you should wait that long.. and yes you can mix the 2.. it wont hurt anything it just wont last the 5 years anymore.. i personally work in a GM shop and i have never seen any problems with dexcool..

I've been reading that Dexcool is some real lousy stuff for engines, it deteriorates head gasket material on engines and such then you have an engine rebuild coming down the pike at you. My 2001 Astro came with Dexcool from the factory but I'm thinking of changing it out with regular green prestone. Seems like everyone I talk to says to get it out of the vehicle now to avoid problems later.

Does anyone have an opinion on this? Thanks.

naturally someone that works at a G._. dealer wont see any problem with dexcool, People are trusting, sometimes to a fault. We would like to believe coolant can last 75,000 - 150,000 miles. Do the math, coolant change cost $50.00- $90.00. replacing radiators, water pumps, heater cores cost upwards of $350-$500.00 which job do you think a dealer want to do??? you can break the laws of man, but can break the laws or physics. Given time enough heat can break down any liquid

i personally would rather do the coolant flush than i radiator replace.. i get paid more to do the flush. and i am far from being biast to GM.. the only GM car i have ever owned is my astro which i got for free.. i am actually a mazda guy..

I own a coolant recycling business and have seen the problems with Dexcool. The formula of the current Dexcool has been changed somewhat and it now has some of the properties of the traditional coolants.

My recommendation is to flush the Dexcool after a year and put the traditional green coolant in and repalce it every two years.

The Dexcool used an organic acid base (OAT) formula that was to slowly etch the engine's metal with a protective coating that was to prevent electrolysis but it didn't perform as expected for long term. If any air got into the system it's chemistry changed and it turned brown.