Whats is the final call with DEXCOOL?

[onthebrinc]

I just replaced my lim uim gasket on my 97 grand prix that is now switched over to green coolant because i was told dexcool is the reason for the gasket failure. My mom just bought a 02 gp 3.8 and i justnoticed that is still on dexcool. This vehicle has 100,000 and shows no sign of uim lim yet so im curious about switching the coolant. Any other information about this product would be appreciated.

Why is it stilll around if it caused all these problems.

thanks

[BNaylor]

There is nothing wrong with Dex-cool as long as the maintenance intervals for replacement are followed. Which is 5 years or 150K miles, whichever comes first but earlier replacement is better. The aftermarket extended life coolants like Prestone EL green are also 5/150K now.

The gasket failures mainly lower intake manifold (LIM) were due to poor design so Dex-cool is still around and being used.

['97ventureowner]

DexCool is not the problem, rather improper maintenance and poor gasket materials, and other issues have led a bad rap on the product. I have had and still own vehicles that have Dexool installed from the factory, and have not had any of the major problems that were purported to be caused by the coolant.When there are any issues, people tend to be very vocal with their displeasure, and when things are all right they tend to be quiet, so I believe there are far more vehicles out there with DexCool that aren't experiencing any issues than those that are.

[richtazz]

This topic has been discussed many times before. My only knocks against dex-cool are that it doesn't really last the 5yr/150k miles as advertised, and that it sludges when exposed to air. The old green coolant is being phased out and all the replacement coolants are based on the same basic chemical formula as Dex-cool minus the red/pink dye. So if Dex-cool is/was so bad, why is everyone going to a similar type of coolant??? All the GM intake issues can be traced to junk gaskets, not Dex-cool.

[Airjer_]

Originally Posted by richtazz

So if Dex-cool is/was so bad, why is everyone going to a similar type of coolant??? All the GM intake issues can be traced to junk gaskets, not Dex-cool.

Its funny how GM is the only one thats really having a problem with this stuff!

[JonJon68]

I've never had any issues with Dexcool. Like what Bob stated, never wait five years to flush it out. I usually flush mine out at least every two or three years just for cheap maintenance. Just my preference.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by Airjer_

Its funny how GM is the only one thats really having a problem with this stuff!

Like was stated previously, a lot has to do with poor gasket design/materials. Many defective gaskets were replaced with aftermarket ones and no further issues were reported.

[JonJon68]

Agreed, my gaskets have been changed out because of these defects. However, I still prefer to flush the cooling system about every three years well before the recommended five years.

[Burtnette]

Originally Posted by BNaylor

There is nothing wrong with Dex-cool as long as the maintenance intervals for replacement are followed. Which is 5 years or 150K miles, whichever comes first but earlier replacement is better. The aftermarket extended life coolants like Prestone EL green are also 5/150K now.

The gasket failures mainly lower intake manifold (LIM) were due to poor design so Dex-cool is still around and being used.

5 years or 150K miles? Who the hell drives 30,000 miles a year?

[Airjer_]

I just serviced an 07 camry the other day that had a tad over 80k miles on the odometer!

[richtazz]

Originally Posted by Burtnette

5 years or 150K miles? Who the hell drives 30,000 miles a year?

I used to commute 50 miles one way, and put over 150k on my car in 3 years.

[tblake]

Yeah, I have been putting quite a bit on the GTP recently to with my job.

[wlkjr]

Originally Posted by Burtnette

5 years or 150K miles? Who the hell drives 30,000 miles a year?

You can put me on that list. And that's just the GP.

[grandprixgtx00]

Originally Posted by Burtnette

5 years or 150K miles? Who the hell drives 30,000 miles a year?

put me on the list too. i had a '97 GTP and i drove 100 miles back and forth to work everyday roundtrip. when i finally decided to sell her back in 2002 it had 147K on it.

[BNaylor]

I think the bottom line is you have to use common sense. Many will fall under the 5 years portion since running up 150K miles mileage in a 5 year period is not attainable or realistic. For the ones that can achieve up to 150K miles in less than 5 years then the Dex-cool should be replaced and you should not wait or procrastinate. Remember it is 5 years or 150K miles, whichever comes first.