Dex Cool in 2002 Park Avenue

[Smith1000]

I have owned Lesabres for a long time, but was considering updating to a Park Avenue. One of the Lesabres I have driven for years has 208,000 miles on it now and it seems like it is needing some work, but I hesitate to put too much into it.

I test drove a 2002 PA over the weekend. It has just under 100,000 miles on it and seems real nice. I noticed that there was a small pool of dex cool on the plenum, so I presume there is a leak somewhere. How corrosive is dex cool to the engine and components? Has anyone experienced major issues due to dex cool? This year is outside of the range of the upper plenum issue, but it got me to thinking about other dex cool related issues. Did GM discontinue the use of dex cool at some point, or is it still in new vehicles? Is this something to be concerned about?

Are there any specific issues to look for a 2002 Park Avenue? Thanks.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by Smith1000

How corrosive is dex cool to the engine and components?

The issue isn't really the corrosiveness of the Dex Cool, rather when the coolant becomes contaminated is when problems start to develop. Contamination can take place due to air infiltration into the cooling system, the mixing of another type of coolant with the Dex Cool, and lack of maintenance to the cooling system.

Has anyone experienced major issues due to dex cool?

The "major issues" that are usually blamed on Dex Cool are actually caused by poor gasket design and /or materials causing a leak and the eventual need to replace the affected gasket(s). Again , sludging has been linked to contamination, mainly by air getting into the cooling system, and poor maintenance habits.

Did GM discontinue the use of dex cool at some point, or is it still in new vehicles?

Dex Cool is still used in new vehicles today. Advancements in the gasket design and materials, along with a "tweak" in the formula has decreased the instances of reported issues. Add to that better education in the maintenance of the vehicle's cooling systems has further lowered issues that plagued vehicle owners in the past.

Is this something to be concerned about?

Not really. As long as steps are taken to insure that the cooling system is air tight and properly maintained,( i.e. regular change intervals with fresh coolant , testing of pH,keeping the coolant at the proper levels,) the Dex Cool should be problem-free. i have had many vehicles with Dex Cool in the cooling system, including my "newest", a 2006 Uplander and have been pretty much free of issues. I change my coolant every 3 years or 40,000 miles , whichever comes first. I don't mix the coolants, and I make sure there is no extra air in the cooling system.

[Smith1000]

Thanks for the thorough and very clear answers. This alleviates my concern in this area. What was the benefit of the switch to dex cool? Is it less toxic?

['97ventureowner]

I don't really think it's any less toxic, although there are brands of embittered antifreeze available which are supposed to be better for the environment and our pets. Dex Cool was developed as a response to changing technology within modern engines. Today's engines are a mix of different metals and materials such as plastic. A better coolant was desired with a different protection package ( no silicates and other additives other coolants contained,) a longer life in the engine, and lower alkalinity levels.
Dex Cool is cosidered a "Organic Acid Technolgy" coolant where the old green standby coolant of the 20th century was not. That is one reason why it is not recommended to mix those 2 coolants. (There is even a newer coolant on the market which is used by Ford and Chrysler referred to as an HOAT coolant or hybrid organic acid technology. This coolant uses both inorganic and organic inhibitors and is considered better.)
As time goes on I think we'll see even more advancements in this area. It.s just a matter of the other technologies associated with them to catch up .( I read an article awhile back that shed some light on these Dex Cool issues saying that the associated technologies that work with the new coolants weren't up to the standards needed to properly work with it. Those associated technologies were gaskets (design and materials) and other parts used with the coolant. The article said there were similar instance of issues when other items were introduced or improved over the last century and we had to improve and catch up to meet the new items to work properly.)
It would probably be a lot easier if the auto manufacturers would all come together to adopt one universal coolant to use in all of their vehicles. That could solve a lot of issues.

[Smith1000]

Thanks. I noticed they are selling "long life" green coolant now. Seems like there are more and more options to choose from. I used to just grab a couple of gallons, but reading the labels is essential now.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by Smith1000

Thanks. I noticed they are selling "long life" green coolant now. Seems like there are more and more options to choose from.

And more confusing to vehicle owner's who in the past really only had a few limited choices. That is why I think there have been some problems with people using the wrong coolant , mixing it with the Dex Cool causing issues. they may have not realized they were using the wrong coolant and with all the advertising and info out there . Really in essence not their fault.

I used to just grab a couple of gallons, but reading the labels is essential now.

Yes it is. Luckily for people in my area, we have an A C Delco warehouse that services dealerships and independent garages. They also sell to the public and they offer Dex Cool in GM containers (like what is sold at the parts counter of the local GM dealer,) for about $12 a gallon. It is going to become more important to read labels as time goes on as more coolants for other applications and types enter the market and newer coolants are developed.