DEXCOOL vs. THE GREEN STUFF

[70camaro]

Ok, I've heard many good things about dexcool. But I recently read in another post, some people think it's garbage. So, let's get as much "real life" experiences listed here as we can, good AND bad. Then we can decide which is best for our application...

Personally, I have used both, and I have no complaints about either. I have heard dex is better for aluminium parts, but???

[70camaro]

I would also like to know if anyone has changed from one to the other, and what if any, effect it had...

[formulaross]

Do a google search with words like "dexcool gm lawsuit" or something similar and you will find many people upset with GM over it. Basically, from what I have gleaned, dexcool is fine IF THERE IS NO AIR IN THE SYSTEM. But old cars, and some new cars, develop leaks and air gets in to the cooling system. Dexcool in the presence of air breaks down to form acids that eat the engine internally. One telltale sign is rust on the bottom of the radiator cap. On the other hand, the old style green coolant tolerates air in the system. Either way, one would want to fix the leaks, but I would rather have a coolant that is tolerant of the inevitable leak. Gm doesn't recommend switching to the green coolant because if they do they'll be admitting their mistake and open themselves up to lawsuits. Many dealers apparently are making the change for peiople with difficult leaks.

[Mazdaspeed Ninja]

I would stick with the DEX COOL and let GM pay for their mistakes. Only the new GM autos come with DEXCOOL from what I understand. I do know that they will void warranty if you switch and it is not recommended. I would only use it in new vehicles anyway because of the troubles with the leak issue.

[formulaross]

IMO the warranty issue is a non-issue - the warranty is only 36/36K and most people with leak issues are way past that.

[TweakedGM]

this is very interesting.I have rust showing up around my thermostat.

[formulaross]

To TweakedGM: This is what I have done - gone back to the green ethylene glycol coolant and added a bottle of Barsleaks. If you have rust showing up, you've corroding something internally. Hey, I'm an engineer and I work for GM, but I won't use their new propylene glycol coolant in my past-warranty cars. Our Pontiac Vibe is under warranty, but guess what it came with from the factory? The good old green stuff, but then again, it's really a Toyota and not a Pontiac. Do the google search for the GM lawsuit info. GM has too much to lose by admitting a mistake. Their position is if everything is perfect, the new stuff is OK, which it is, but who lives in a perfect world?

[TweakedGM]

the rust is on the outside by the rad hose. the
To formulaross
entire engine was rebuilt about 2 1/2 years ago. would it corrode that fast? I am going to the green stuff anyways. So I just flush the engine and the rad with water then put the new green in? Or is there an other way?

[70camaro]

I have done much research since starting this post and have seen many varied storys. Bad storys are more prevelant, but poeple are more apt to complain when they have a problem than they are to praise when things are good. From what I've read and my own personal experience, this is what I believe... Dexcool is just as effective as the green stuff when properly mixed. HOWEVER, it seem that contamination with, well just about anything, has some adverse affects on the dex (sludge). Also, the longevity of dex may not be as good as advertised. I wouln't leave it in too much longer than the green. It may get acidic and eat some gaskets. I have heard that air in the system is bad too. This I dont unerstand. I always have air in my system ( thanks to the infamous intake gasket leak) and I really dont see how you could keep air out of any system. I personally have not had any problems with the dex. But I add about a half gallon of properly mixed dex about every month ('cuz of the leak). I think it works better because it's always fresh. The inside of my radiator looks practically brand new (in a '97 5.7L with 103K). I will keep dex in it 'til I have a problem with it.
Tweak, if your goin to switch, I would flush that thing GOOD! Run the new stuff for a few months then flush again... Green and orange dont mix.

[snatchmasterflex]

A friend of mine told me that when he mixed the green with dex that it ate every single gasket that it came in contact with, would this be a result of that?

[Mazdaspeed Ninja]

Yeah...probably...It is HIGHLY recommended that you don't mix dex and green. I woulden't be suprised if it opened the gates of hell or something.

[envoy2001]

Dex cool is the reason the intake gasket is allways blowing on the 3100 series V6. I had the same problem with my 03 Malibu. Had it 3 months and the intake gskt went and motor blew.