dexcool coolant change

[marshallhey]

hello,
i was wondering after reading some of the probelms with dexcool sludging up,would i be alright if i changed my coolant every 1 to 2 yrs even while still using dexcool.or would i have to go to the green antifreeze and what would you recommend me using.thank you

[tom3]

Been millions of cars use Dexcool with no problems. Best bet I think is to watch it extra close. As long as it's clear looking and the level is staying up as it should, be no reason to change. This stuff is great for keeping the cooling system clean and trouble free as long as it's right. See vehicles with well over 100K miles and the radiator is clean and shiny inside. But at the first sign of clouding up or leaking, could be big trouble. I don't think the problems are Dexcool as much as the design of the engines.

[MCO_Death]

Originally Posted by tom3

Been millions of cars use Dexcool with no problems. Best bet I think is to watch it extra close. As long as it's clear looking and the level is staying up as it should, be no reason to change. This stuff is great for keeping the cooling system clean and trouble free as long as it's right. See vehicles with well over 100K miles and the radiator is clean and shiny inside. But at the first sign of clouding up or leaking, could be big trouble. I don't think the problems are Dexcool as much as the design of the engines.

There was a whole big thing about dexcool last year on here. Under certian cicumstances it was prooved that dexcool did damage to engine far far sooner than its 100k promise period. Most cases causing severe engine damage. But tom is right, as long as its clear, not cloudy or sludged up, its fine. I personally switched to the green stuff, I had both cloudy and sludging starting to happen, so I went to the green.

[ghostrider1]

[quote=tom3]Been millions of cars use Dexcool with no problems. Best bet I think is to watch it extra close. As long as it's clear looking and the level is staying up as it should, be no reason to change. This stuff is great for keeping the cooling system clean and trouble free as long as it's right. See vehicles with well over 100K miles and the radiator is clean and shiny inside. But at the first sign of clouding up or leaking, could be big trouble. I don't think the problems are Dexcool as much as the design of the engines.[/QUOTe
I really think it boils down to routine maintenance and fluid checks. I have not had any problems with Dexcool in my 99 Silverado. I have seen problems my friends vehicles, all of them cars, particularly with the 3.4 and 3.8 engines, but they are quite lazy when it comes to maintenance.

[victimizati0n]

you shouldnt need to maintnence your cooling system, unless something happens.

[MCO_Death]

Originally Posted by victimizati0n

you shouldnt need to maintnence your cooling system, unless something happens.

Wouldn't mean you should ignore it also... I know I generally don't check mine unless i'm checking everything else under the hood. Usually pretty good, although I might have it flushed again just for good measure after the switch-over. But thats just me.

[bermis519]

I personally think when the dexcool sludges up, it's the intake manifold gasket thats going and the little bit of oil the seaps into the coolant and causes a break down of the coolant which is the sludge. I noticed the sludge build-up in mine and a few weeks later, i could smell antifreeze but couldn't find a leak anywhere and they then replaced the gasket. When it sludges up...it's builds up in the motor and causes problems with internal moving parts. Again this is just my personal opinion and what i think is going on. Now that the gaskets been replaced, i have been keeping a close eye on it, simply pulling the radiator cap and looking there since this is the area i first noticed the problem. But my thought and figured i would throw it out there for criticism....

mike

[simonswu]

But how to check if the dexcool sludges up?

Impala's coolant reservoir is such a thin vertical tank. I could hardly see its exact level even with a flash light.

[bermis519]

Well the sludge will most likely float therefore it will collect at the radiator cap, also check in the coolant reserve tank. Take a little bit of the coolant out and look at it. It should have an orange color do it and appear clear. If it looks cloudy or discolored, i would have it checked, possibly flushed. What i do every once in awhile is turn the A/C on, let the car idle for awhile, then close the hood. Stand by the driver door, the crack between the front corner panel and the drivers door, when the cooling fan kicks on, smell down in that area and see if you can smell antifreeze. Basically the cooling fans move a lot of air in the engine compartment around and it blows underneath the car. Just check it yourself idea. No, I'm not a mechanic either, just another disgruntled impala owner...lol

mike