Dex Cool

[TWOSHEA]

Has anyone had problems as a result of the Dex Cool coolant. Surfing today "Dex Cool" and came about a number of webs on Dex Cool problems. Class Action Law suits! I hope that this is not the case as far as our motor homes go. I have a '03 Bounder bought in '06 with 15,500 miles. At the 5 year mark (17,500 miles) had the radiator flushed and new Dex Cool added. This was done at Reeder chevrolet in Knoxville, Tn. My recovery tank is down 1 inch below the low mark, and before adding coolant to bring it up I wanted to read about the product. There certainly is a lot there to read if one so desires. If it came with Dex Cool we are to continue to use Dex Cool and not mix with the green. They are saying to not flush out the Dex Cool and then go green.. Use only Dex Cool! Even before coming across all this I had factored in my maintenance schedule to flush my coolant every three years using a miles figure of 15,000 to 20,000. Not panicking here but interested in the feed back that is always very informative. Have a great day... Life is Good

[Hammerdown]

I know this isn't relative to every case but on my '98 S10 4.3L pickup DexCool kept plugging up my heater core. I flushed out the whole system at about 30K miles, put the green stuff in and never had a similar problem. Sold truck with 210K on it, only part ever replaced on the engine was the water pump at 120K.

Dick

[scoutmstr]

As soon as my warranty was up Dex cool was replaced with green antifreeze. Mechanic once told me long life coolant is acidic and will cause problem if air is allowed in system. If always kept full supposely no problem I had two cars with the long life stuff and both developed water pump leaks. One is my '97 S-10 and other was Toyota Cressida. S-10 still going with green. Cressida wore out at 250K.

[DriVer]

I certainly am NOT trying to defend Dex-Cool BUT in my expereince, I have been using Dex-Cool since 2003 and I have over 85,000 miles .... I changed my coolant once. I ain't waitin' for 100,000 miles ...

[Pete & Linda]

Yes there is a lot out there about Dex Cool. I had a 1998 Olds with the 3800 V-6 that had a plastic intake. I had to replace 2 of them that had a hole eaten in them and were leaking coolant into the combustion chamber. Now with the class action suit I could get reimbursed, but car gone and paperwork gone! I replace my Dex Cool every 3 years, choose not to go with the green stuff, as they say. If you do go with the green stuff, flush, flush and flush again. If you stay with Dex Cool like I said change at 3 years and don't worry about it. You can go to your GM dealer and have him check the PH level, if low he can add a tablet or just do the 3 year change. If let go too long it will gum up everything. If you start loosing coolant and can't find a leak it is going into the combustion chamber and going out the exhaust pipe.

[paz]

My understanding is the problems with Dex-Cool occur when the cooling system is run for extended periods with low coolant level. This can happen even when the overflow tank has coolant in it, so it looks like the cooling system is full.

After driving, a vacuum should be created in the cooling system as the engine cools. This vacuum should suck coolant back into the radiator from the overflow tank so the cooling system remains full at all times. However, if the coolant fails to return to the radiator (perhaps a small leak somewhere in the system relieves the vacuum so the coolant is not sucked back in as the engine cools), there can be air in the cooling system. For that reason, I periodically remove the radiator cap (the engine MUST BE COLD) to make sure the radiator is full.

[DriVer]

In case anyone needs more information: How The Motorhome Coolant Overflow Reservoir Works

["007"]

Didn't find DriVers link but found this one with information on your cooling system also that maybe of interest.

[George Z]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriVer In case anyone needs more information: How The Motorhome Coolant Overflow Reservoir Works

DriVer. your link doesn't work.

George

[edgray]

Until Mike can fix his link, the tech report is located in the stickies at the top of this forum. ED

[DriVer]

Can't figure it .... here it is again:

How The Motorhome Coolant Overflow Reservoir Works

I hope this one works!

[edgray]

does for me. ED

[Petro]

I have a 02 W22 and replaced my Dex Cool in 08. I have never had any problems. I only use distilled water for my 50/50 mix for adding if necessary. My shop recommended staying with Dex Cool.

Don

[Daysu47]

I concur!!

Hi Don!