Coolant Analysis & Recommendation

[vettenuts]

I just changed mine and used Dexcool. Have it in all my GM cars and have had the Vette apart several times. The engine and radiator internals were immaculate.

I have never had an issue with Dexcool but do have the old technical reports from many years ago about gelling. This was found to be the result of leaking radiator caps and poor maintenance.

I also replaced all my hoses at the same time.

[jcgribks]

Make sure you DO have Dexcool in your radiator as my 96 already had regular antifreeze (green color). Your not supposed to mix them.

[allen1947]

Well what WeatherTodd said about Dexcool making a mess of a cooling system is partly true. When Dexcool was first used by GM a lot of folks did not realize it was incompatible the old green Ethylene Glycol base coolant. Hear is where Dexcool differs, it has diethylene glycol added as one of its ingredients and if it is mixed with old style green antifreeze it acts like a blood coagulate and clots all over the cooling system. Needless to say then you have a mess. Been there done that and will never mix anything with Dexcool. Just because a coolant say it's good for 100,000 miles or 5 years DOES NOT MEAN ITS COMPATIBLE WITH A SYSTEM WITH DEXCOOL. Never use anything but Dexcool, actual brand does not matter. My son's Pontiac GP had this problem and had to use chemical flush 3 times and finally got it clean and two ruined coolant level sensors. SO I REPEAT NEVER MIX WITH ANYTHING BUT DEXCOOL WITH DEXCOOL.