Dexcool in '93 Roadmaster Wagon

[jawnl]

To make a long story short - if I can! I had my waterpump on my '93 Estate Wagon replaced at the local Buick Dealer this week and since it was almost time for it, I had them replace the engine coolant at the same time. Turns out they put in Dexcool (instead of the green coolant which had been the fluid I've used since the beginning of time.) They said the Dexcool was what they used exclusively now and it wouldn't harm my Roadmaster. (120,000 miles on the clicker) I've since done some research and found that the Dexcool might not be so cool for my engine. The dealership offered to flush the system and replace the coolant with new green coolant at no charge if it'll "make me feel better." What would you folks recommend I do? Is the system going to be contaminated now nomatter which color of fluid I use?

[gonenuts15792]

I'd have them flush it out and put the green in. I'm a little nervous about dexcool, especially in the older vehicles. I have it in my 2004 Suburban and its no problem, but its only got 6,000 miles on it, the dealer wanted to put the Dexcool in my Park Ave also but I said no way.

[public]

Ditto. Dexcool=some risk, Green stuff=no risk.

[curtis73]

Dexcool is not what GM hoped it would be. They keep backing it since so many of their vehicles have it. The big problem is that Dexcool is pretty stable until something gets dissolved in it; like rust, clay tablets, or pretty much anything. Then it drops its silicates out of suspension and you basically get sand in your water system. we 94-96 Impala SS owners have gone to great lengths with this research since our LT1s got both dexcool and clay tablets. Most of the new LT1 cars back in the day had to replace our pumps by about 40k miles since the silicates ate the seals and packing.

I had to swap coolant and pump on mine at 34k. I replaced with a new pump and Green 50/50 and have had no issues. It now has 89k and I change coolant every 30k. I changed it at 60k and its soon due for another.

[sierrap615]

if at all possible, have them flush it twice, once with just water, then with 50/50 green antifreeze