Dex-Cool coolant or not?

[Noah.Dreams]

I just had the upper manifold gasket replaced and the mechanic replaced the coolant with Dex-Cool. Isn't Dex-Cool recalled?

[wjcollier07]

I've no problem with dexcool, but it tends to work better in sealed, and maintained cooling systems. If it ages, it turns into acid essentially. Regardless though, green coolant tends to be cheaper.

Dexcool has not been recalled, and is used in every GM product off the assembly line.

[SSEi95]

GM has also reformatted the formula over the years too. What you buy now isn't the same stuff from 10 years ago that had all the issues.

[wjcollier07]

That is very true. It's even a different color than it used to be, which makes it quite obvious. Looks more like orange soda now, and it used to look a bit more like orange juice.

[Tricked-T]

You know I recall hearing some bad things about Dex-cool messing up the motor in some way or the gaskets, cant recall exactly, but recall it was negative.

So based on these couple posts I assume you all still use it? I was told buy another who has a L67 in a T like mine to use it so, even though I think I recall seeing negative things I will probably use it, especially since my motor will be getting a little refresh.

[01bonneSC]

I have heard they changed the formula, but what are the pluses of new dex over prestone all makes? Just curious. I use all makes cause its cheaper.

[J Wikoff]

I've got "all-makes" in the Bonneville. It doesn't seem to run hotter or cooler than it did with ol' green in it. I can't compare it to Dex, though. The wife's 04 GA (130k miles) still has it's original Dex with original bad design IM gaskets with no signs of leakage. It wasn't included in the range in the class action suit, so I think it got reformulated stuff.

[wjcollier07]

The pros of Dexcool, as advertised and designed anyways...are that it is supposed to last approximately 5 years, or 150,000 miles. Green coolant however, was, if I remember correctly, designed to be replaced every 3 years or 36,000 miles, someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[ron350]

Ask willwren if he likes Dex.

http://www.dex-cool.net/

Does any one have documentation that GM fixed Dex so it no longer causes problems?

[J Wikoff]

I remember seeing a service letter or something like that to take existing jugs of dexcool out of dealership stock and replace them with new stuff. Been a while though... I don't remember it saying the reason for the new stuff.

[99bonnieSE]

I just changed the dex-cool in our 99 SE too. i dont wanna take any risks with it, and spending $15 on coolant is alot cheaper than $100's on having gaskets done lol

[gonzo4191]

if you maintain your vehicle with period coolant flushes, i wouldn't worry about running dex-cool or the other stuff, just keep it maintained!

[BlackHawk99]

I agree. Dexcool isn't the devil as long as you perform the required maintenance. It's still in our 2002 Sonoma. 142K on the ticker and it's never been touched. Another 8K or so and I'll be doing the required flush.

[zuper8]

I just changed the dex-cool in our 99 SE too. i dont wanna take any risks with it, and spending $15 on coolant is alot cheaper than $100's on having gaskets done lol

unfortunately, your gaskets will fail regardless of what coolant you use...

although i changed mine to green anyway out of paranoia/ can't hurt. my cooling system gets drained every year so i don't feel the need to get the long life stuff.

[99bonnieSE]

yeah, but like i said, whether it does or does not eat gaskets, i just don't want to chance it, that's all.

[J Wikoff]

I've been googling dexcool reformulation. I've found many mentions of it across the web, a number of them specifying 05 as the date. But no documentation just yet.

Sidebar, I yanked the original factory LIM gaskets from my 93 parts car. Green coolant, no signs of impending failure.

[2000Silverbullet]

I always use Prestone "mixes with all"
Good for 5 years 100K but I change it after 3 years. Mainly because it's cheaper than Dex.

The old green coolant is good for 3 years but should be done yearly.

Never mix the two types because the mix will turn to gel.

[Bonneville92V688]

I have no choice but to use Dex-Cool in my Catera. People have tried green coolant supposedly with negative effects, plus it's not like I have any intake gaskets to worry about...my coolant is transferred head to head by a aluminum coolant bridge.

[99bonnieSE]

I always use Prestone "mixes with all"
Good for 5 years 100K but I change it after 3 years. Mainly because it's cheaper than Dex.

The old green coolant is good for 3 years but should be done yearly.

Never mix the two types because the mix will turn to gel.

thats actualy what i bought to. its good stuff.

[LeSabre in Buffalo]

My car just had the lower IM gaskets done at SEBF. One was getting ready to fail after ~68k miles and 10 years. 8 of those years the car had Dex-Cool and a leaky radiator cap for the last 2 or 3 before I got it. It got replaced with Prestone all-makes 2 years ago, and again with all-makes at SEBF.

I'd use it if it were on sale. Just make sure your cooling system is clean and pressure-tight. And change it after a few years.