[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by bubble.tea

hahah that's a funny emoticon...I should really try and pic that slewwwwDgggge.

I put this here because I figured it's a general question about DEX-COOL with Buick's...if you dont' agree...congratulations

'99 REGAL 114,000 KMs.

I am about to get this baby flushed...as I bought this vehicle in November...and am not sure if the original fluid has ever been changed.

My engine is running fine, oil/transmission levels good., no over-heating....my only concern is that the first time (Last week) I looked at the coolant reservoir tank...coating the entire tank was a...

brownish/orangish/dirty grimy/oily globby substance.

WHUT THE HECK IS THAT???

I tested the (hydrometer) fluid and it's fine...The clarity is also not bad. This is the fluid in the Radiator. Fairly clear still with some cloudiness...SOME. However the fluid that is in the reservoir seems like there's a thick film sitting on the top of it?

FIRSTLY, I don't know that much about vehicles. secondly, if this is the original fluid...DOES DEX-COOL break down and look like this normally?

I've heard that maybe it's indicative of blown gasket(s)? but then again., like I said I have no other problems/issues with the car...then again I don't even know what's are signs of a blown gasket.

Having mentioned this...would I be better to get a mechanized flush...or would a driveway (gravity) flush be sufficient. keep in mind., I may not be able to splice and dice my way to hooking up the garden hose... I don't know which hose is the heater hose etc etc.

ideas please.

oh yes, and LASTLY, DEX-COOL is the SAME OR DIFFERENT, if bought from such places as Canadian Tire (Pennzoil/Motomaster) or the ones that Buick will actually use at their garages?

~$15/4L jug I think.

Canadian Tire'll charge $88 for a DEX-COOL flushing...so I figure may as well...considering the uncertainties, better safe than sorry...I guess I'll do it with them...then next time I'll know the standards...and do it myself huh?

Thanks for your time.

If your engine is running fine and not overheating I wouldn't worry about
it. I had the cooling system flushed and re-filled with Dex-Cool on my '99 Regal LS (98K miles) about a year ago when I saw the same brownish film in the reservoir coolant tank. I believe what you are seeing is the effects of the Dex-Cool breaking down over a period of time and the exposure to air. From what I understand Dex-Cool and air do not get along. Plus the coolant reservoir is not sealed or airtight.

As long as there are no other problems, like the sludge (looks like mud)being present in the radiator, etc., I remove the reservoir once a year and clean it out with a tool that looks like a baby bottle brush. Re-install it and add a 50/50 mix of Dex-Cool and purified water.

After you get the flush, it is important to make sure any possible air is bled-out or removed from the cooling system. Someone of the forum posted a procedure to do or verify this. Good luck!