Coolant exchange

1999 Blazer, 81000 miles. Bought the car a few months ago. Previous owner had the radiator (http://www.blazerforum.com/m_21248/tm.htm#) and water pump replaced within the past year. Noticed the coolant was rusty in color. Called up the local Jiffy-Lube to see if they could do a coolant exchange. They could and I had it done yesterday. I watched the entire process. Asked the tech if Dex-Cool was being put back in. He said it was a universally compatible coolant that would have no cross-contamination effects. I got home, checked the level in the radiator and noticed there was an oily residue on the inside of the cap. Cleaned it up. Just wondering what your thought are on this. Should I have run a flush through the system first? And should I ditch this coolant and go back to the Dex-Cool?

Thanks
John

Welcome to AF Truck608 :cheers:

They obiously didn't do their job properly. If I was in your boots I'd bring the truck to a proper rad shop, and ask their opinion. Get it in writing, and bring it back to the Jiffy Lube place. Then ask them to refund your money since they are too lazy or shitty to do their job properly.

I'll warn you now, your cooling system will need flushing, and the heater core might be plugged. You can try a home flush kit.

All antifreezes are NOT compatible and may cause other problems so here are 2 articles on the subject:

http://www.nadreview.org/DocFile.asp?PageContext=245212475329426&SessionID=853017&DocumentID=5436
and
http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/sub_care_sat/1272436.html

The Dex Cool is orange and rust colored and if air is kept out of the system after its changed, as well as the system cleaned, a new thermostat and cap installed too, it is the recommended one for GMs with alum radiators. There are many opinions on this both good and bad. The real problem GM found with Dex Cool was their stupid 5/100 guide and the fact that the 4.3 motor, with the small tube heater core located so high up, a bad radiator cap design (they have changed it several times so a Stant brand is really better due to the center design) ended up being one of their worst case vehicles. Flush the system till all color is removed, back flush thru the haeter hoses the heater core, buy the Stant cap, clean the reservior, and use the Dex cool. The reservior should always be filled to the Hot line when Cold so no air enters the system. Oh, and of course there is the leaking lower intake that drains the coolant and often causes many of the cooling problems that usually happens around 70-90k about when the cooling system is already overdue for a change but with the 5/100 guide consumers haven't touched it!