2000 S10 cooling system

[Jerseyken]

Is it a bad idea to replace the original Dextrol coolant with ethylene glycol coolant such as Prestone? I read that GM only recommends Dextrol, but I am having problems with no heat, possibly from a clogged system.

[whitetrash982]

all depends , on weather you used the log life crap or not , and also what base the coolant is - the reason GM says use dexcool is cuz its a silicone based coolant , as opposed to standard (green) green , which is water based , because GM used to use iron blcoks , hell , i think they still do , either way , the slicone based coolant has a much less tendancy to rust out and foul heater cores , radiators , and water pumps , and hell , its rated for 5 years or 100k miles , and its 40$ a gallon...why the hell not?

ah yes , and its dexCOOL , not dextrol

[rstroud]

I don't see that there's a nickle's worth of difference in either coolant. With your vehicle being a 2000, your system should not be clogged. I have cars 20+ years old and never had a blocked system. You probably have a stuck thermostat which will cause you to have no heat. It is a good idea to flush your cooling system once per year. I wouldn't buy the expensive stuff no matter what the mfg. recommends. Heck, it's all coolant!

[whitetrash982]

as i stated , there is a diffrence in coolants , the reason GM reccommends dexcool is , as i said , silicone based , and wont rust anywhere near as easy , and doesnt need to be changed anywhere near as often , where as , traditional green coolant contaminates much easier , and rush out irion heads and blocks , hence why it needs to be changed more often - also another gain of dexcool (or other silicone based coolants) , is better heat transfer - it cools better then green coolant , but as for his loss of heat for the duct , could be many things , but i doubt a stuck thermostat would cause that , a stuck thermostat would cause constant over heating , or excessive warm up times , perhaps a bubble in the heater hoses or core , plugged heater hose , maybe even a pinched hose , check em out , see what ya find

[blazee]

A lot of inaccurate info here.


1) The Prestone anti-freeze is fine.


2) Dexcool gets contaminated easier than any other anti-freeze on the market.


3) Once contaminated dexcool turns to sludge and plugs the entire cooling system. especially the heater core.


4) Stuck thermostats are a common cause of not having heat.


5) Green anti-freeze is better for preventing rust.


6) Dexcool is better for protecting aluminum.


7) Dexcool is not silicone based it is Ethylene Glycol based, but it uses OAT instead of the phosphates and silicates that standard green uses.


8) Dexcool doesn’t last as long as it suppose to due to faulty radiator caps allowing contaminates into the system. It could have easily plugged the system in 5 years. I’ve seen it plug a system just 9 months after a full flush.


9) Standard green should be flushed and refilled every two years.


10) If you keep the system full and replace the radiator cap, Dexcool will last close to 4 years before it needs to be flushed and refilled.


If your temperature gauge says less than 1 notch left of 210, then your thermostat is stuck open and needs to be replaced. If you system is clogged you can follow one of the methods below to clean it. You should replace your radiator cap every time you change coolant.

If you want to do it yourself, follow one of these methods;

For system with Sludge:

Buy the following:
2 gallons of distilled water $1
2 gallons of Dexcool* $20
Prestone Flush 'N Fill kit $3
Prestone Radiator "Flush" $3

Turn your heater on and leave it on for the entire process

Drain the anitfreeze from the system.

Install the "T" from the Flush 'N Fill kit and follow the directions that came with it.

Disconnect the water hose, close all the drains, add the Prestone Flush, fill with water, get engine up to operating temperature and run for 20 minutes, allow to cool then, drain the system.

Connect your water hose to the Flush 'N Fill "T" and flush one more time. Drain.

Fill the system with a 50/50 mix** of DexCool and distilled water. Continue to fill the system over the next few days as the air is worked out of the system.








For clogged, neglicted, or extremely dirty systems:

Buy the following:

2 gallons of distilled water $1
2 gallons of Dexcool* $20
Prestone Flush 'N Fill kit $3
Prestone Radiator "cleaner" not "flush" $4

Turn your heater on and leave it on for the entire process

Drain the anitfreeze from the system.

Install the "T" from the Flush 'N Fill kit and follow the directions that came with it.

Disconnect the water hose, close all the drains, add the Prestone Cleaner, fill with water, run the engine 3-6 hours (you can leave it in for a few days if neccessary), drain the system.

Connect your water hose to the Flush 'N Fill "T" and flush one more time. Drain.

Fill the system with a 50/50 mix** of DexCool and distilled water. Continue to fill the system over the next few days as the air is worked out of the system.



* If your vehicle was made prior to Memorial Day 1995 or if you don't want to deal with the problems associated with Dexcool, get the standard green antifreeze.

**When you do your final drain and fill....not all the water will come out so to get the proper 50/50 mix you should add the right amount of straight Dexcool then top off with the distilled water.

[rstroud]

If the thermostat is stuck open, it will NOT overheat the engine and the heater will not work. It will only blow cold air. If it was stuck closed, then it would overheat the engine.

[blazee]

Originally Posted by rstroud

If the thermostat is stuck open, it will NOT overheat the engine and the heater will not work. It will only blow cold air. If it was stuck closed, then it would overheat the engine.

Quoted for truth. In most cars if the thermostat is stuck open, it will delay the engine reaching operating temperature. But in these trucks the cooling system is so efficient that they will never reach operating temperature, and won't get warm enough for you to feel hot air.

[xtrememeasures10]

Originally Posted by rstroud

I don't see that there's a nickle's worth of difference in either coolant. With your vehicle being a 2000, your system should not be clogged. I have cars 20+ years old and never had a blocked system. You probably have a stuck thermostat which will cause you to have no heat. It is a good idea to flush your cooling system once per year. I wouldn't buy the expensive stuff no matter what the mfg. recommends. Heck, it's all coolant!

Typical Automotive Mechanics opinion. You can do that on your car. Dont come near mine.

Now for an A&P Mechanic.
Use The dexcool and change your cap to a slant type. GM's engineers obviously have stuck with Dexcool for a reason. The stock caps are defective. Its too bad gm doesnt just admit that and put a recall out and give everyone slant caps.

[71 C10]

Where can I find a Stant 16lb. radiator cap for my 2002 ZR2. I know that Autozone does not carry that brand. My local dealer just replaced my radiator and put a new cap on it. I'm assuming that since a GM dealer put a new cap on it's probably no better than the one that was on it.

[blazee]

Advance Auto sells them - Stant Model 11230 or 11330

11330 may be available at walmart.

11230 is a normal sealed cap

11330 is the cap with the pressure release lever

[rdball]

Anybody have thought on the Prestone 5\150 (GM Dexcool approved) coolant ??? I used it to replace after Dexcool stopped up the cooling system in my 96. No problems so far (14 months and counting).

[sreed25570]

I personally will NOT put dexcool in ANYTHING I own my mother-in-law has a 99 GMC jimmy and I have put 2 motors in it due to Dexcool if it gets in the engine IE leaking head or intake gasket it will literaly eat engine bearings. GM wants you to use it because it is made for the newer aluminum heads they use it helps keep them cooler but using old fashioned green antifreeze wont hurt a thing