coolant

I just bought a '99 LTZ (3.8L), and upon my inspection, I noticed that the coolant in the recovery tank was sort of foamy/ dirty. There are also deposits around the inside of the tank. Is this normal? I've been told that it might be because of the kind of fluid it used (the red stuff). Someone also told me that someone might have mixed some green coolant with the red, causing this reaction. The dealer told me that they don't put "Gunk" or anything like that in there. But I have no clue. My temperature guage appears okay, it hasn't moved far from the cold side, no problems or anything. I just wondered if I needed to flush out the system. The consistency of this fluid scares me. help, please...anyone.

I just bought a '99 LTZ (3.8L), and upon my inspection, I noticed that the coolant in the recovery tank was sort of foamy/ dirty. There are also deposits around the inside of the tank. Is this normal? I've been told that it might be because of the kind of fluid it used (the red stuff). Someone also told me that someone might have mixed some green coolant with the red, causing this reaction. The dealer told me that they don't put "Gunk" or anything like that in there. But I have no clue. My temperature guage appears okay, it hasn't moved far from the cold side, no problems or anything. I just wondered if I needed to flush out the system. The consistency of this fluid scares me. help, please...anyone.

Has the coolant ever been changed? If not?
Time to get the cooling system checked and flushed and new coolant put in there. Also clean coolant tank at same time.
Check the plastic intake close for leakage because they are a problem area.
And check tha rad cap or replace it.
If cap is bad or system gets low it will cause a gume up in overflow tank
Watch the oil for engine coolant in it to.
Every 3 Years or 50K is the best time to do a coolant flush and change.

thanks for the info. I just bought the car, so there's really no way for me to know if it has ever been flushed. It has just over 64,000miles on it now, so I guess a flush would be a good idea. I just wasn't sure if the consistency of my coolant was normal for the red coolant. Like I stated before it seems to run okay with no major temperature issues, but just to play it safe, I get her flushed soon. thanks again.

The only issue with Dex-cool is it doesn't last its claimed 150k miles. Flush it every 60-75k (depending on how and where you drive) and you'll be fine. I'm not a big fan of it simply because it costs twice as much as green and has no real advantage.

does my vehicle (99LTZ) have to use the dexcool red fluid? I thought I saw another thread where someone recommended switching to the green stuff. Any ideas?

you must completely flush the system of all traces of the Dex-cool before switching it over, as the two don't mix and will gel causing all sorts of problems.

thanks. but can I (or has anyone ever) successfully switched from the red to the green? Are there any problems associated with the switch? I think all my warranties are gone anyway, so this won't affect that. I'm assuming that the only reason GM began using the red stuff is because of its environmentally friendly aspect, is this correct? Anyway, I just want to make absolutely sure that switching from red to green (a complete flush) won't hurt my baby. I love this LTZ. If there are any concerns I should think about before doing this please let me know. thanks again!

thanks. but can I (or has anyone ever) successfully switched from the red to the green? Are there any problems associated with the switch? I think all my warranties are gone anyway, so this won't affect that. I'm assuming that the only reason GM began using the red stuff is because of its environmentally friendly aspect, is this correct? Anyway, I just want to make absolutely sure that switching from red to green (a complete flush) won't hurt my baby. I love this LTZ. If there are any concerns I should think about before doing this please let me know. thanks again!

There is many pros and cons.
But either one will work good in it.
The dexcool will not kill cats and dogs and remember some wives have been know to feed the green stuff to there husbands.
Just remember they do not mix well with each other.
Some like the green and some like the dexcool.
But either one needs regular service like 50K or 3 years.
Good luck with which ever you want to use.
MT

I'm single, so the whole "wife thing" is not a problem! I think I'll do some pricing and maybe a little more research before making a decision. Do you know of anyone using the green with good luck, though?

I'm single, so the whole "wife thing" is not a problem! I think I'll do some pricing and maybe a little more research before making a decision. Do you know of anyone using the green with good luck, though?

Yes some of the people us it with no problems.
And I see no problems either way.
MT

did i read somewhere that if death-cool is in the car, and it blows an intake gasket or a head gasket, that it eats away at the gasket surfaces and leaves them kinda porus? Or was that just a myth?

did i read somewhere that if death-cool is in the car, and it blows an intake gasket or a head gasket, that it eats away at the gasket surfaces and leaves them kinda porus? Or was that just a myth?

What you may read about it is mostly HOG WASH.

Dex cool or green both will get a strong acid content if left in the cooling system to long.
Have you ever got some old green on your hands after it has been in a coolant system a real long time?
It is Just like a strong acid.:grinyes: :rofl:
Dex cool is actually a little milder on cooling systems.
But do not believe that 150K or 7 year crap about it.
The key is service and flush and change coolant every 3 years or 50K and you will not have a problem with either one.
MT

I think mine definately needs something done! I'm going to let my mechanic do it next week. He said that it's hard to get all of the dex-cool out of the system, so he suggested just doing a flush and replacing it with fresh dex-cool. The thought of switching to green seemed to scare him. Any thoughts?

I think mine definately needs something done! I'm going to let my mechanic do it next week. He said that it's hard to get all of the dex-cool out of the system, so he suggested just doing a flush and replacing it with fresh dex-cool. The thought of switching to green seemed to scare him. Any thoughts?

No problem. No sweat. All is well. Sounds like a good mechanic.
Let him have at it.
And have him do it again every 3 years or 50K
And your worries will be all over with.
Good luck
MT

MT-2500 (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/member.php?u=382930) , Can you elaborate on what you said earlier in this thread about checking the intake for leakage and also checking/replacing the radiator cap??? P.S. I noticed yesterday that my cap seems to be stuck on. I've tried like crazy to get that thing off. Push and turn, don't push, etc. I think it's stuck! vbmenu_register("postmenu_4195632", true);

MT-2500 (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/member.php?u=382930) , Can you elaborate on what you said earlier in this thread about checking the intake for leakage and also checking/replacing the radiator cap??? P.S. I noticed yesterday that my cap seems to be stuck on. I've tried like crazy to get that thing off. Push and turn, don't push, etc. I think it's stuck! vbmenu_register("postmenu_4195632", true);

Intake leakage is a problem area on the 3.8.
Always keep ,a eye out for low coolant or leakage in that area.
If you have any coolant lose have your mechanic check it when he does the flush.
If the rad cap gets bad or colant get low it tends to make dex cool get gummie.
Dex cool does not like air or low coolant in the rad.
MT

not just on the 3.8, but the 3.1 also.

not just on the 3.8, but the 3.1 also.

Isn't it past your bedtime?:lol:

What's up?

wow, you guys are funny. Anyway thanks again for the help!