Dex-Cool Question

[Gregg]

Good morning guys,
Is Dex-Cool a premix ??
Where can it be purchased ?? Cost ??
Can I go to the Wal and purchase any exteded use silicate-free coolant ??

[Gregg]

Good morning guys,
Is Dex-Cool a premix ??
Where can it be purchased ?? Cost ??
Can I go to the Wal and purchase any exteded use silicate-free coolant ??

[oemtech]

You can get Dex Cool at Wal Mart for about $8. But, why pay $4 a gallon for water.

Me I went back to plain old ethylene glycol with a rust/lube additive after reading the bad press on Dex Cool. Just Google "Dex cool problems" and make your own decision. I change every 2 years as I don't believe the 100k hype. Why, because the average RVer only puts on about 7k a year and you will hit the 5 year mark before the 100k mark.

Lastly look at the the chemical makeup of anything you buy as a substitute as it just may be the same as Dex Cool but just does not have the GM stamp of approval. A good way to check is pull the MSDS sheet.

I did a coolant change in my RV barn any did not spill enough to even wipe up. Check my website for the Howv To.

[edgray]

Gregg: I think you can find Dex-cool in both 50-50 and "concentrate" at most any auto parts retailer. Last time a looked, 50-50 was ~$8.95 per gallon and pure was 10.95/gal. ED

[Steady Eddie]

Gregg: I had a really bad ($$) time with Dex-cool. It cost me thou$ands. So you can undestand why I am leery of it. But I also have read that Texaco/Havoline changed the formula so that it is no longer prone to gel like the original stuff. When did they change it? Dunno, but my P12 Chevy of '98 vintage had it since new and its' cooling system was nice and clean and it is OPEN to the air. With the "old" Dex-cool, any air exposure started the gelling process. My Chassis has no radiator puke tank or "overflow" tank, but rather has a surge tank with ordinary air above the the tank level. It has a constant flow running thru it. If they had not changed the mix, the coolant would soon have turned to gel. Well, I thought I'd change it out to the old green stuff but could not find it. Wound up with the Yellow Dex-compatable Prestone 50-50 pre-mixed with distilled water, and added the two GM Sealant Tabs to that. Works fine...

[Joe Gilbert]

It is true that you can find a fair amount of negative comments on Dex Cool on the Internet. Having said that GM has used Dex Cool for several years, in millions of cars and trucks with very few problems. Most problems with Dex Cool are due to someone topping off the system with a non-compatible product.

I have always purchased a 50/50 mix though perhaps you can buy 100% and mix it yourself.

[DonavonP]

As far as I can tell, Dex Cool is regular ethylene glycol with a little battery acid added. Been reading Material Safety Data Sheets all day. Somebody please tell me I'm wrong.

The modern engines cause regular antifreeze to become alkaline like Drano and the acid brings the mixture back to a neutral PH

So, if I'm correct, Oemtech could rinse off his battery check hydrometer in his antifreeze overflow tank and have DIY Dex Cool. Dale - there's one more research project you probably didn't need.

[oemtech]

Donavon,

The amount of acid is to small to measure. So, I learned long ago that you just change a little more often. Me, I change every 2 years, Drain, back flush and fill. In over 40 years of driving I have never had a radiator problem do to bad coolant mix.