Gonna switch to Dexcool...

[Edmond]

since my radiator pooped this week, I've already bought a new one and I'm going to switch to the orange stuff.

Besides making sure the green stuff is completely flushed from the system, are there any other precautions I should take?

Is the orange stuff still going to be a 50/50 mix?

I can use Water Wetter with the orange stuff right?

 

[Ken]

Everything you've stated is what I did when I changed over Ed. Go for it!

 

[Edmond]

Everything you've stated is what I did when I changed over Ed. Go for it!

Ken,

Any advantages in keeping the motor cooler with Dexcool?

Someone told me that the green stuff would slowly erode aluminum but I don't buy that because it's been used for so long.

 

[Ken]

None that I know of, and I ain't gonna get involved in the "orange vs. green" debate anymore either. :L

_ken

 

[XS650]

Edmond, You might contact Havoline and ask them what they recomend for a flush process before switching to Dex-Cool.

Try going through their version of telephone hell and see if you can talk to an actual applications engineer.

Even if they don't tell you anyting you haven't heard, it should give you some additional peace of mind.

Dick

 

[Rabbit]

Check this site out.

http://autorepair.about.com/library/weekly/aa052601a.htm

 

[taegdh]

I've read a number of articles about this subject over the past ten years. (Hardly seems that the orange/red antifreeze has been arround that long, but), the gist of it was to:
1, flush your system out thoroughly.
2. use a cleaner in the system iaw manufacturers instructions (rtfd)
3. rinse it backwards
4. refill with the newer antifreeze, (make certain to "burp" it, once it is full.)

I've followed that on half a dozen vehicles and it worked for me.

taegdh

 

[tntcorvette]

keep the green stuff. DexCool is not any better. I ran dex cool befor and ran into problems with leaking cylinder heads....2X!!!

I run green antifreeze and pure distilled water. No cooling problems.

 

[74bigblock]

Check this site out.

http://autorepair.about.com/library/weekly/aa052601a.htm

This guy is a horrible writer. OMG. I got thru page one and had to close it.

 

[Bob86ZZ4]

I had a brand new ZZ4 motor put in a few years back. A new water pump and Dexcool also. The water pump developed a huge leak around the seal after less than 2 years. And I had flushed and refilled once after the first year. I have since flushed the Dex out and use green with distilled water. I wouldn't think a water pump should fail that fast. Did the Dex do it? I don't know but I'm gonna stick with green.

 

[wx briefer]

How about dexcool in a 200,000 mile '81 mercedes. So far it has been about 3 years and I have had no problems whatsoever! I simply flushed the engine, heater core and radiator really, really well. YMMV.

 

[Daryllawman]

keep the green stuff. DexCool is not any better. I ran dex cool befor and ran into problems with leaking cylinder heads....2X!!!

I run green antifreeze and pure distilled water. No cooling problems.

I agree........Keep the Green

 

[atmmac]

I have dexcool in my vette. My impala has had green all its life and it runs like a champ. Why change it if its working fine?

 

[terrykrueger]

It seems that there are questions about Dexcool and potential engine damage (and a resulting lawsuit). Very interesting . . .


http://www.injuryboard.com/view.cfm/Topic=1095

 

[vette1985]

I have heard both good and bad from numerous people in the performance industry. When I switched my radiator ( 1.5 weeks ago ) I asked if I should make the swap to Dex and was informed that the only advantage to it is long life. I was told to flush system and use 50/50 mix of regular antifreeze and add Redline WaterWetter (2 bottles). That with a cool fan switch kit and 180 degree thermostat, the vette will run great with no worry of high engine temps.

 

[-=Jeff=-]

I have used Dexcool in my Vette since 2000.. NO Troubles..

It is also in my daily cars too so it is lees stuff to keep on the shelf

 

[cdr63corv]

Had a friend from work who ran dex-cool in a s-10 pickup he bought new. Blew a head gasket at 100,000 miles. He took it to his brother in laws shop had it fixed and was told it was becoming a common problem in the newer vehicles. afterward was listening to a car talk show on the radio Paul brandt I believe someone called in and was asking about the dex cool he said gm was backing off on the 100,000 mile change talked like you should be ok if you changed every 50,000 or so.

 

[Bob86ZZ4]

I've heard Paul address this issue. He is a Minnesota radio talk show car expert. I think he is very carefull the way he talks about it so as not to upset any car dealers that advertise on the show. You can sense the way he talks about it that he may not be convinced it is okay to use. I'm sure he doesn't want to open the station up for any hassles from the dealers or manufacturers.