Who's not using DEX-Cool?

[panzer dragoon]

It's getting cold again and it's time to get your radiator fluid checked so the whole damn thing doesn't freeze up, blow out the radiator, blow a freeze plug, or crack the whole damn block. You can check the fluid with the floating ball eye-dropper gizmo ~$2-3. If all the balls float you are good (for Wisconsin), the less balls floating = less freeze protection related to temperature. For me, they all better be floating with maybe one questionable (semi-float).

Anyway, who's made the switch away from Dex-Cool? For how long? Any complaints or concerns making the switch? Does the ball floater work with Dex-Cool or only the green stuff?

[Jimmy Olsen]

Originally Posted by panzer dragoon

It's getting cold again and it's time to get your radiator fluid checked so the whole damn thing doesn't freeze up, blow out the radiator, blow a freeze plug, or crack the whole damn block. You can check the fluid with the floating ball eye-dropper gizmo ~$2-3. If all the balls float you are good (for Wisconsin), the less balls floating = less freeze protection related to temperature. For me, they all better be floating with maybe one questionable (semi-float).

Anyway, who's made the switch away from Dex-Cool? For how long? Any complaints or concerns making the switch? Does the ball floater work with Dex-Cool or only the green stuff?

Why would anyone want to make the change? Water pump will last longer with the orange stuff, and the flush cycle is every 5 years instead of 2 with the green stuff.

[2wheelcowboy]

Originally Posted by panzer dragoon

It's getting cold again and it's time to get your radiator fluid checked so the whole damn thing doesn't freeze up, blow out the radiator, blow a freeze plug, or crack the whole damn block. You can check the fluid with the floating ball eye-dropper gizmo ~$2-3. If all the balls float you are good (for Wisconsin), the less balls floating = less freeze protection related to temperature. For me, they all better be floating with maybe one questionable (semi-float).

Anyway, who's made the switch away from Dex-Cool? For how long? Any complaints or concerns making the switch? Does the ball floater work with Dex-Cool or only the green stuff?

Sir this is 2wheelcowboy. Actually I have been running walmarts brand of antifreeze since I flushed out radiator and changed pump and thermostat last winter. Car runs just above 1/4 mark unless we sit in traffic for more that ten minutes or leave it idling for 10-15 minutes then it goes just above 1/2 mark nd the fans kick in. We live just north of Denver and we go up in the mountains and it never runs above the 1/2 mark even pulling up the hills. One weird thing though is that in the winter when i run the front defroster the AC kicks on. Is this normal for this car?

[panzer dragoon]

a good test for any car (or truck) is those massive inclines coming into the Rockies around Denver. And use the suicide braking paths if you need to.

My 75 Olds had the A/C compressor kick in when the defroster was on. I used it to get the car warmed up at a higher than normal idle. I haven't notice this with the Intrigue. It may be used to get the moisture out of the air. I would say it's normal.

[HeyWire]

I own and LSS and I use dex-cool, I can't say I like the stuff, mostly because I can't find it at the Autozone. The only problem I've had is a busted water-pump at about 64000 miles, I attribute that to a bad part, not the dex-cool. My motor runs at 195F mostly if its moving, and it'll go up to about 210F or so sitting idling, which is actually normal for a 3800 3.8 liter, so I don't mind too much. ( the cars manual says normal operating temp is 195, and the LSS has a temp guage with degrees on it. ) I don't think I would even run the green stuff because of the higher temps. I live in Chicago and it can get damn cold here too, but I have never had a problem with it freezing up or any other cold weather problems... Starts right up just like always, that motor is built like a tank. I don't know if you have the 3800 in your car or the later 3.5 liter, depending on the year of your car. Hope it gives you some idea.

[prsoto21]

I flushed my cooling system about 2 months ago. I went into Autozone looking for Prestone Dex-Cool (orange). The tech there said they didn't make it anymore. He told me to grab this new Prestone that is the equivelant to Dex-Cool but it is green. On the jug it says, may be used in any color cooling system for all makes and models. The tech said Dex-Cool is a thing of the past and one of GM's wet ideas. I have the new green formula in my car and have had no problems in 1,ooo miles so far. Let me know if you have heard different.

[Jimmy Olsen]

What is the recommend change interval with the new Prestone anti-freeze?

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Olsen

What is the recommend change interval with the new Prestone anti-freeze?

The Prestone Extended Life is good for 5 years or 150K miles. It's based on the same Organic Acid Technology (OAT) as Dexcool but it is not Dexcool. It's in the yellow bottle and dyed green. It is fully compatible with aluminum radiators and engine components (block/heads).

If you switchover, the old Dexcool should still be thoroughly flushed out. However, in case there is any residual Dexcool missed by the flush before adding the new stuff it's no problem. Prestone EL is mixable with Dexcool.

I've done several GM "W" bodies with the Series II 3800 and a '01 Intrigue with the 3.5L. No problems noted. Engine seems to run a little cooler.