problems with dexcool?

[phicks805]

I've been reading about all the problems with this coolant, my question is, should I flush out my system and not use the dexcool?
Thanks for any advice

[suren]

I am thinking about doing the same and replace with Prestone any color
150K mile coolant.

['97ventureowner]

Having owned and still owning GM vehicles with DexCool in the cooling systems, I have done a lot of reading and research into this matter. The best thing to do at this time is to continue using DexCool in your vehicle if it originally came with it from the factory. DexCool is a different type of coolant than the old green ethylene glycol based coolant . It is called OAT (Organic Acid Technology) based coolant. There are differences in the "protection packages" in both types of coolant. The best thing to do is to treat the DexCool like you would the older green antifreeze and that means replacing it much sooner than the GM recommended 5yr/150,000 change interval.Properly flush and refill the system with a 50/50mix. Also keep an eye on the overflow tank for sudden drops in the level of the coolant , signifying a possible leak. Also make sure any air is properly bled from your system as that can cause the DexCool to form sludge. One possible source of air infiltration in the past has been found to be a faulty radiator cap. It is a good idea and "cheap"insurance policy to replace the cap every few years to prevent it from failing and let air into the cooling system. I purchased a 2006 Chevy Uplander last Fall and it has DexCool in the cooling system and I have no intentions of replacing it but rather keep monitoring it and flushing and refilling my system every 2 to 3 years or between 30,000 to 40,000 miles.

[305denali]

well i had to replace my head gasket on my 00 denali and ive read a lot about dexcool and it seems to be the reason, im getting my truck back tomorrow and as soon as i get it, im flushing my cooling system, not happy at all to pay a $1000 bill.....hey its very true dexcool last you 5 years, and then buy a new engine!!! just make sure if you switch to green, dont leave any red spots, the mixture could possibly turn acidic..good luck

[J-Mech]

I've seen way too many premature gasket failures on dexcool. We don't run it in anything. Flush your system and replace with green. It's been good for years.

['97ventureowner]

Keep in mind though that the "protection packages' in the Dex Cool versus ethylene glycol are different. Dex Cool was formulated for these modern engines that are being produced now. The problem is actually the gasket itself and the way it was made and how it interacted with the new coolant. Whenever there is a change in fluid technology there will be problems that will have to be "worked out " and new parts will have to be engineered, hence the revised gasket that was introduced in July 2002. Usually it does not take this long 7 years in GM's case to come up with the necessary changes, they really dropped the ball on this one. After I replaced the gaskets in my vehicles,I continued to use Dex Cool, however I changed it more frequently than was previously recommended. I have gone more miles on these new gaskets with the Dex Cool than the old ones that failed, so it looks like the new gaskets did the trick. I am starting to see reports of issues cropping up on the internet of people who switched to ethylene glycol and are now experiencing problems with their vehicles that is being attributed to the switch. The Dex Cool was formulated for these engines because of it's technology, running something else may not offer the same protections.