04 Coolant Issues - Page 2

on my monte im running a newer serp belt system with the original vortec waterpump. the engine came out of a truck that ran dex and i put the vortec engine into an ice racer car i had, monte carloe of corse, and i didnt have any problems with running low tox in it. low tox is environmentaly friendly green. that engine is now in my 86 monte but anyways ive experianced now coolant problems with it. when i attended wyoming technical institute in laramie wyoming this was a subject that was pondered upon and the instructors explained to us that if you flushed the system properly you will have no problems with switching to green. at work ive ran into a few cases where people topped off their system and mixed green with the orange. we will usually flush the system any reinstall the orange. you can actually let this mix go but you will not have the "100000 mile" life of the dexcool. i do not foresee any problems with the change to green if you have the radiato, heater core, and block flushed thoroughly.

oh ok i was just asking to see what the hell was going on in here thanks for filling me in on it.

wow. pretty interesting stuff here. I think I'll stick w/the orange/red stuff.

quote:

wow. pretty interesting stuff here. I think I'll stick w/the orange/red stuff.

What made your mind up on this one?

Well, some of these links might change your mind...


Link 1


Link 2

quote:

A word about DexCool Antifreeze

There is a class action suit pending against GM claiming that cooling systems were corroded and sludged up due to the extended life antifreeze Dexcool. Below is text from the lawsuit:

Dexcool was initially marketed as a long life universal automotive engine coolant that would last for 5 years or 100,000 miles of service. It is now marketed to last for 5 years or 150,000 miles of service. Manufacturers of traditional antifreeze / coolants generally market that their antifreeze / coolants will provide dependable thermal control and corrosion and rust protection for twenty-four (24) months or 30,000 miles. The major difference in Dexcool over traditional coolants is in the corrosion inhibitor protection. Traditional antifreeze / coolants contain inorganic salts of borate, phosphate, silicate and other chemicals to prevent rust and corrosion, whereas, Dexcool’s® corrosion inhibitor components, are based on organic acid technology (OAT). Dexcool is orange and traditional antifreeze is green.

I've done some research on the subject and found that the biggest problem seems to be contamination of Dexcool with regular antifreeze and running your cooling system low on coolant. Many systems get contaminated when owners get their oil changed at a quick lube which tops off all the fluids.

quote:

ORIGINAL: tvanwinklehome

quote:

wow. pretty interesting stuff here. I think I'll stick w/the orange/red stuff.

What made your mind up on this one?

Well, some of these links might change your mind...


Link 1


Link 2

quote:

A word about DexCool Antifreeze

There is a class action suit pending against GM claiming that cooling systems were corroded and sludged up due to the extended life antifreeze Dexcool. Below is text from the lawsuit:

Dexcool was initially marketed as a long life universal automotive engine coolant that would last for 5 years or 100,000 miles of service. It is now marketed to last for 5 years or 150,000 miles of service. Manufacturers of traditional antifreeze / coolants generally market that their antifreeze / coolants will provide dependable thermal control and corrosion and rust protection for twenty-four (24) months or 30,000 miles. The major difference in Dexcool over traditional coolants is in the corrosion inhibitor protection. Traditional antifreeze / coolants contain inorganic salts of borate, phosphate, silicate and other chemicals to prevent rust and corrosion, whereas, Dexcool’s® corrosion inhibitor components, are based on organic acid technology (OAT). Dexcool is orange and traditional antifreeze is green.

I've done some research on the subject and found that the biggest problem seems to be contamination of Dexcool with regular antifreeze and running your cooling system low on coolant. Many systems get contaminated when owners get their oil changed at a quick lube which tops off all the fluids.

Well, it was never in question for me, and the quote you provided does nothing to sway me as it clearly states "the biggest problem seems to be contamination of Dexcool with regular antifreeze and running your cooling system low on coolant." Seeing as how I have common sense(which doesn't seem to be too common these days) I realize that the coolant in my system is orange, not green, therefore, I will make sure that any coolant I add to the system is orange(50/50 mix of Dexcool and filtered water). I will also check my fluid level at every gas tank fill up to ensure that I keep it at the appropriate level so as not to allow an issue to arise due to low coolant level. It also states "Many systems get contaminated when owners get their oil changed at a quick lube which tops off all the fluids." But considering that I do my own oil changes, this is a non issue.

I will check those links you provided in search of compelling reasons to change to regular anti-freeze

Well, I checked the link and did not find anything compelling me to want to make the switch. I see a few solutions to this "problem"

1. Check coolant level and top off as needed at least once a month, or like I do, at every fill up.

2. Flush and fill the coolant system every 30k miles.

3. If you insist on having Jiffy Lube do your oil changes, bring to their attention that your car takes Dexcool

The only benefit to having regular antifreeze is, oh, wow, there isn't one. Unless not worrying about Jiffy Lube techs contaminating your system by adding anti freeze to your existing dexcool is considered a benefit.

well considerign i do all the work on my car other then what needs to be taken care of by a dealer. I could care less about jiffy lube they arent here anyway LOL

But the thing of it is Dex cool is suposed to last for a longer period of time then the green My thing is i can get ewrthiere one i just one that will work I could care lkess what color it is. I do not however what system leaks. Not sure how old you are or how much you have been around older cars but i can tell you a system leack is not a good thing

look at a hot piston that has gotten aintfreez throwen on to it at the wrong time and you will understand why i say this.

most do not relise that a system leack can be dangurous to you as a driver not ust a inconveinance. Belive me when you shater pistons it is not a fun thing to have happen.

Did this once but it was due toa bad fogger and cause me to blow to pistons threw the hood of a race car. still not fun cathcin hot piostons

quote:

ORIGINAL: mickey

well considerign i do all the work on my car other then what needs to be taken care of by a dealer. I could care less about jiffy lube they arent here anyway LOL

But the thing of it is Dex cool is suposed to last for a longer period of time then the green My thing is i can get ewrthiere one i just one that will work I could care lkess what color it is. I do not however what system leaks. Not sure how old you are or how much you have been around older cars but i can tell you a system leack is not a good thing

look at a hot piston that has gotten aintfreez throwen on to it at the wrong time and you will understand why i say this.

most do not relise that a system leack can be dangurous to you as a driver not ust a inconveinance. Belive me when you shater pistons it is not a fun thing to have happen.

Did this once but it was due toa bad fogger and cause me to blow to pistons threw the hood of a race car. still not fun cathcin hot piostons

please use spell check, your posts are hard as hell to read, let alone understand.

quote:

please use spell check, your posts are hard as hell to read, let alone understand.

Taht wloud be esay if we had slpel cchek....


Back to the topic...... Dexcool is a gasket eater when the PH goes out of wack. The life expectancy of this stuff is not what were being sold. I'm switching.

I guess I better get together the how to replace your head and intake gaskets thread.

lol TVW

quote:

ORIGINAL: tvanwinklehome

quote:

please use spell check, your posts are hard as hell to read, let alone understand.

Taht wloud be esay if we had slpel cchek....


Back to the topic...... Dexcool is a gasket eater when the PH goes out of wack. The life expectancy of this stuff is not what were being sold. I'm switching.

I guess I better get together the how to replace your head and intake gaskets thread.

lol TVW

We all realize what the realistic life expectancy of this stuff is now so it shouldn't be an issue anymore. Show me one case of where the owner flushed and filled the system at 30k intervals and kept it topped off in between and still had cooling issues. Just 1. I think Chevy dropped the ball when they claimed the ridiculous life expectancy of this stuff early on and should pick up the tab for the repairs that ensued when people went 75,80,100k miles before changing it. I hope the class action lawsuits are successful and Chevy has to pay up.
But why are you switching when if changed out and maintained like regular anti freeze systems, it's just fine?

The choice is simple for me. The standard green stuff has a long history of limited problems, Dexcool in it's very short life span has shown to cause serious issues. What's going on with this stuff that were not aware of.

It's your choice and you'll have to run with what your comfortable with as I know you will anyway.

I'm playing it safe and converting now before we find out the other unknown side effect of using this stuff.

TVW

i will also be changing mine here in agout 16000 miles LOL
let this warenty run out seem my car will be having issues that i will have to take it in for so i will cange it the day i hit over the warrenty

quote:

ORIGINAL: tvanwinklehome

The choice is simple for me. The standard green stuff has a long history of limited problems, Dexcool in it's very short life span has shown to cause serious issues. What's going on with this stuff that were not aware of.

It's your choice and you'll have to run with what your comfortable with as I know you will anyway.

I'm playing it safe and converting now before we find out the other unknown side effect of using this stuff.

TVW

The issues w/dexcool were due to it being contaminated w/the green stuff, not being kept at a acceptable level, and not being flushed and filled at the appropriate intervals(thanks to chevy saying it lasted 5 times longer than reality)

I guess im not understanding the logic here. I haven't heard of one case where the coolant was maintained like it should be and still caused issues

but there is also somethign that you have to think about is there are several ways ffor it to become contaminated not just because your taking it to a jiffy lube.

I have had to fill mine up and could not find the stuff at teh gas station i was at granted the leveal was not somethign i had to worry about and i added a bit of water and it was fine and still doing its job .
btu there are times when you have to add somethign to it and they dont sell dexcrap

Im sorry there is enough stuff i carry with me while on the road i dont need to add a gallon of dexcrap tat can leak with me.

Besides if they come out with the sythetc that is worth it i will change to it more then likely why? it is better for the life of the car and motor,

Here is one for ya, i dont use the oil they say i should ethier i have royal purpel in the trans to. and Mobil one full synthetic. so there ya go i have ruined it but still what i want .

quote:

The issues w/dexcool were due to it being contaminated w/the green stuff, not being kept at a acceptable level, and not being flushed and filled at the appropriate intervals(thanks to chevy saying it lasted 5 times longer than reality)

I guess im not understanding the logic here. I haven't heard of one case where the coolant was maintained like it should be and still caused issues

That's not entirely true.

PH seems to be the problem with Dexcool and it's breaking down to corrosive material. Although in most of the stories noted that failure was noticed 40K and up when did the actual break down occur? It takes some time to eat through hoses and gaskets.

Don't change it, I don't care. But I will work on those DIY's for ya just in case. lol

TVW

here is a thought not sure if they still sell them or where to get them but im sure you can find them somewhere

they at one time had some FLex hoses that were steel or aluminum. Wonder if you could get them for the Monte carlos? they wernt cheap but they would last forever damed near and the only thing you have to change for them is a short rubber collor at the front nd back of the hose where it connected to the Rad, or the block
those ould be nice for the montes and also a cheap replacement int he long run,

I'll bet ya Summit has some kits. But it would be really cool to have a set custom made..


A dress up kit of sorts..

TVW

quote:

ORIGINAL: mickey

but there is also somethign that you have to think about is there are several ways ffor it to become contaminated not just because your taking it to a jiffy lube.

I have had to fill mine up and could not find the stuff at teh gas station i was at granted the leveal was not somethign i had to worry about and i added a bit of water and it was fine and still doing its job .
btu there are times when you have to add somethign to it and they dont sell dexcrap

Im sorry there is enough stuff i carry with me while on the road i dont need to add a gallon of dexcrap tat can leak with me.

Besides if they come out with the sythetc that is worth it i will change to it more then likely why? it is better for the life of the car and motor,

Here is one for ya, i dont use the oil they say i should ethier i have royal purpel in the trans to. and Mobil one full synthetic. so there ya go i have ruined it but still what i want .

So of the several ways for it to become contaminated, you give one, which basically boils down to you not wanting to carry some with you. That's pretty logical

I don't have to think about that situation cause I've never been in a situation like that in the 15 years I've been driving and knowing that I have a special coolant that may not be available everywhere, I made sure to grab some the day after I bought my car.

I don't care what you guys do, I'm just trying to understand why. Mickey, if you're gonna make a point, at least make a logical one. Your last comments were pretty ridiculous. Why do you think I'd care what you use in your engine or tranny? You could piss in em if you thought that works better for all I care. My thing with this coolant issue is that I am wanting to know why you guys are so worried about it that you want to switch over when there isn't a single case that any of us are aware of that shows a failure of dexcool when it's changed in the appropriate intervals, not cross contaminated and maintained at the appropriate level. I will make the change too once I see otherwise.

quote:

ORIGINAL: tvanwinklehome

quote:

The issues w/dexcool were due to it being contaminated w/the green stuff, not being kept at a acceptable level, and not being flushed and filled at the appropriate intervals(thanks to chevy saying it lasted 5 times longer than reality)

I guess im not understanding the logic here. I haven't heard of one case where the coolant was maintained like it should be and still caused issues

That's not entirely true.

PH seems to be the problem with Dexcool and it's breaking down to corrosive material. Although in most of the stories noted that failure was noticed 40K and up when did the actual break down occur? It takes some time to eat through hoses and gaskets.

Don't change it, I don't care. But I will work on those DIY's for ya just in case. lol

TVW

For me, since I do my own maintenance, I don't think this is a necessary step. I can keep the level where it should be, etc. And for those of you who have and are gonna keep DexCool, you may want to check this out

DexCool tips to avoiding coolant issues

Thanks everyone for the input!!!! I am glad there are people like you out there.
04monteLS, on the tranny issue, that sounds exactly like mine!! Can you let me know what the dealership tells you?

Sorry I havent replied in so long, I was on vacation. Thanks again everyone!!!!

quote:

ORIGINAL: GTown

Thanks everyone for the input!!!! I am glad there are people like you out there.
04monteLS, on the tranny issue, that sounds exactly like mine!! Can you let me know what the dealership tells you?

Sorry I havent replied in so long, I was on vacation. Thanks again everyone!!!!

Will do. I won't be taking it in to the shop for a few weeks though, like the end of June. But once I do I'll let you know how it went, hopefully it'll be just as pleasant and productive as when I took it in for my cd player issue.

04MonteLS, Did you take your car into the shop? I was wondering what the dealership told you about the coolant and the tranny issues?

quote:

ORIGINAL: GTown

04MonteLS, Did you take your car into the shop? I was wondering what the dealership told you about the coolant and the tranny issues?

I went to drop it off yesterday, there was a little mix up so I ended up keeping it with the anticipation of getting a phone call to bring it back so I could leave it with them and take home an Implala loaner........I never got the phone call

I'll talk to them this week to see if we can get this taken care of

I'm here at the dealer turning my car in, just waiting for them to bring my rental.

I'll let you guys know how it turns out.

Thanks for keeping me posted LS!!