Dex-Cool and Sludge

[stuzman]

I had posted this in the post about "Intake Failures and What Type of Fluids", but thought that it might be missed so I created a new topic. Here is an article about Dex-Cool and GM. I had Dex-Cool in my personal vehicle (2000 LeSabre) and after 50,000 miles I noticed that sludge was starting to form in the coolant recovery tank. I had the cooling system flushed and replaced with the green antifreeze. Some people say that Dex-Cool is better than the original and doesn't create any problems, but when I saw sludge forming, that was enough for me to get it out of there.

http://www.noln.net/features/feature3.html

[maxwedge]

Anecdotal evidence here, but had and have vehicles dexcool equipped that have gone up to 170k with one change of coolant, no sludge no problems, also replaced the rad caps to newer type.

[happydog500]

I don't like the Dex-Cool ether.

I did a little research and found the with Dex-cool, you have to make sure it's 50/50 Mixture (water). A few % one way or the other, that's when the problems start.

Dex-Cool works good if the mix is exact.

Remember also, Just because a lawsuit is filed, doesn't mean the people bringing the suite are correct.
Chris.

[stuzman]

Originally Posted by happydog500

I don't like the Dex-Cool ether.

I did a little research and found the with Dex-cool, you have to make sure it's 50/50 Mixture (water). A few % one way or the other, that's when the problems start.

Dex-Cool works good if the mix is exact.

Remember also, Just because a lawsuit is filed, doesn't mean the people bringing the suite are correct.
Chris.

That's true that a lawsuit doesn't make it true. I was only making my own observation. It very well could be the Dex-Cool, anti-leak materials put in at the factory, etc. I just knew I didn't have any problems with the original antifreeze with autos in the past. I figured that a coolant flush with the original would take care of it all as far as sludging goes.

[imidazol97]

You have a 2000. That one had a recall to change the bolts on the throttle body and add sealant pellets that used to be added at the factory. Those pellets are an organic material, ground walnut shells or some other material, and that may be what collects in the overflow tank. Mine did that after 25 K miles when I changed the coolant and put Dexcool back in (and I put 2 seal tablets in also from GM).

I don't know if GM used a different type of sealer in the olden days when they put the green stuff in at the factory and that different sealant did not collect in the overflow or what.

[Adam Mortenson]

My wife drives our 1997 Lumina.Thanks for the tips about Dex cool corrosiveness. This explains why I've had to change the intake gaskets twice. The first time it happened I found that it was loosing coolant but it wasn't showing up on the ground or in the oil. That left only one more place I could think of - in the cylinders and out the tailpipe. Got it apart and sure enough the rubber seal around the ports had pulled away from the rest of the gasket. I thought it was maybe just a defective gasket and replaced them with another set. Then about 80k miles later it did it again. This time the gaskets were leaking out the end of the engine block. I could actually watch it bubble and steam away while the engine was running. Changed the gaskets again and noticed a brown sludge in the coolant also. The car has 250k+ miles on it now so the Dex cool is comin out and good old green stuff in going back in after a flush. Had a 1992 Lumina before this one and we drove it to 225k miles and was then totaled in an accident. Never had any trouble like this with that car. It used the green stuff. Hey GM, If it ain't broke don't fix it!

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by Adam Mortenson

My wife drives our 1997 Lumina.Thanks for the tips about Dex cool corrosiveness. This explains why I've had to change the intake gaskets twice. The first time it happened I found that it was loosing coolant but it wasn't showing up on the ground or in the oil. That left only one more place I could think of - in the cylinders and out the tailpipe. Got it apart and sure enough the rubber seal around the ports had pulled away from the rest of the gasket. I thought it was maybe just a defective gasket and replaced them with another set. Then about 80k miles later it did it again. This time the gaskets were leaking out the end of the engine block. I could actually watch it bubble and steam away while the engine was running. Changed the gaskets again and noticed a brown sludge in the coolant also. The car has 250k+ miles on it now so the Dex cool is comin out and good old green stuff in going back in after a flush. Had a 1992 Lumina before this one and we drove it to 225k miles and was then totaled in an accident. Never had any trouble like this with that car. It used the green stuff. Hey GM, If it ain't broke don't fix it!

Welcome to AF.

Sorry but please check the date of the thread and do not resurrect old threads. Your cooperation is appreciated. Thread closed.

Also, I recommend posting in the proper forum which has plenty of Dexcool related issues there (Chevrolet Lumina).

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