Does Dexcool Antifreeze ruin your engine? - Page 2 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

1BADLS3 · 02-24-2011, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkObsession

Quoted for truth. Used to work as a mechanic and Dexcool is solid as long as you take care of your car.

People take care of their car in funny ways; too. No 'topping up' the overflow tank to the "Max" line with the garden hose, or with green stuff.

Rogue Leader · 02-24-2011, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afireinside

Eh I plan on keeping my 08 z71 for 200,000 miles or more and cheap insurance was to do a full flush and get the dexcool out. I over maintenance my vehicles anyway so I would NEVER let coolant sit for 5yrs/100,000 miles, ever under any circumstances and to risk a leak where the air would cause a paste and damage something...... Nope no thanks

Cheap insurance is leaving the Dexcool in. It takes a LONG time for the damage to happen you really have to be lazy about it. And the cooling system on your truck is better than one on a truck from 10 yrs ago. Dexcool is better than standard coolant in every way and if you do overmaintain your truck you will never have a problem.

WS6ADDICT · 02-24-2011, 01:32 PM

Good info. @ http://norosion.com/technical.htm We call the buidup from early Dex Cool "Mississippi Mud". Looks like mud in the river bottom. Again the key is to keep air out. Overfill your jug just past the hot mark on cars prior to about 2008. Newer cars have VAST improvement. Worst ever was the S Blazer with the tilted radiator cap. Notorious.

NYJets77 · 02-24-2011, 01:35 PM

IIRC, this is recommended in the 2011 Owner's Manual. Sooooo....wtf?

turboguy327 · 02-24-2011, 02:11 PM

Is dexcool garbage??

Yes it is. In the spring Im gonna drain mine out and put the universal stuff in. Dexcool is the worst stuff you can use.

Russell James · 02-24-2011, 02:12 PM

Say goodbye to your warranty.

afireinside · 02-24-2011, 02:34 PM

And another thing I noticed a huge improvement in winter heating after draining the 3 year old dex at 40,000 miles and putting in the yellow universal stuff. Heater blew much hotter and got warmer quicker, why? who knows I really dont care either. Bye bye dex and Im happy I did. Camaro is stock as of now and will unfortunately be sold before I ever swap it.......

turboguy327 · 02-24-2011, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell James

Say goodbye to your warranty.

Why goodbye to my warrenty?? Unless you change dexcool just about every year it turns the same sludge you will find if you never change your oil.

Russell James · 02-24-2011, 04:14 PM

There is absolutely no reason to remove the Dex-cool from a Camaro. If you feel you need to, feel free I could care less.

Give your dealer a call on the warranty aspect of it.

Rogue Leader · 02-24-2011, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turboguy327

Why goodbye to my warrenty?? Unless you change dexcool just about every year it turns the same sludge you will find if you never change your oil.

Thats called a leaky cooling system.

My 2000 Corvette had Dexcool in it for 100k miles with no problems, 99 TA with 102k miles. I also put it in my 87 GN and 89 Turbo TA, ran COOLER and more consistent temperatures with it and no problems.

You must have had a leaky system as established in this thread.

victoryred1ss · 02-24-2011, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5th_GEN_SS

Ok so I know this is an ongoing problem/rumor...

that Dexcool makes sludge in your motor .. eats.. corrodes... bad.
How much of this is true? If it were such an issue wouldnt GM start using some other fluid?

Some say that problems occur only after 5 years.. others say that the problems occur because directions call for it to be used with distilled water and are not followed.

What is the truth to all this?

Dexcool is good stuff GM has been using it in everything since '96. I have been a GM tech since '99 I like it much better than the green antifreeze, but they both work fine.

victoryred1ss · 02-24-2011, 06:23 PM

Your best bet is to drain and refill your cooling system with dexcool and water every 5 years or so. From what I have seen you create leaks when you use the flush kits. My 96 Z28 has never had a cooling system leak, I just drain and refill every few years so I dont get the sluge build up these guys are talking about.

BackinBlackSS/RS · 02-24-2011, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turboguy327

Unless you change dexcool just about every year it turns the same sludge you will find if you never change your oil.

BackinBlackSS/RS · 02-24-2011, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Leader

Thats called a leaky cooling system.

My 2000 Corvette had Dexcool in it for 100k miles with no problems, 99 TA with 102k miles. I also put it in my 87 GN and 89 Turbo TA, ran COOLER and more consistent temperatures with it and no problems.

You must have had a leaky system as established in this thread.

02-24-2011, 02:34 PM	#21
afireinside Firefighter/Medic Drives: 2010 Camaro 1SS LS3 IOM, 2008 Z71 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Detroit Michigan Posts: 233 View My Garage	And another thing I noticed a huge improvement in winter heating after draining the 3 year old dex at 40,000 miles and putting in the yellow universal stuff. Heater blew much hotter and got warmer quicker, why? who knows I really dont care either. Bye bye dex and Im happy I did. Camaro is stock as of now and will unfortunately be sold before I ever swap it....... __________________ Mods: LSR Sway Bars, LSR Short throw shifter, MPD1 spoiler, Heritage Grille, 5% Limo tint

02-24-2011, 06:23 PM	#26
victoryred1ss Drives: 2010 SS M6 2016 2SS A8 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Utah Posts: 553	Your best bet is to drain and refill your cooling system with dexcool and water every 5 years or so. From what I have seen you create leaks when you use the flush kits. My 96 Z28 has never had a cooling system leak, I just drain and refill every few years so I dont get the sluge build up these guys are talking about. __________________ TVS 2300 721RWHP 686RWTQ Built by Me Suspension done by JDP Tune done by JRE

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02-24-2011, 01:32 PM	#17
WS6ADDICT Drives: 85IROC-94Z-81Z2-2018 Vert 2002 WS6 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Fairview OK Posts: 122	Good info. @ http://norosion.com/technical.htm We call the buidup from early Dex Cool "Mississippi Mud". Looks like mud in the river bottom. Again the key is to keep air out. Overfill your jug just past the hot mark on cars prior to about 2008. Newer cars have VAST improvement. Worst ever was the S Blazer with the tilted radiator cap. Notorious.

02-24-2011, 01:35 PM	#18
NYJets77 Drives: 2013 2LT/RS Summit White Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NY Posts: 1,283	IIRC, this is recommended in the 2011 Owner's Manual. Sooooo....wtf?

02-24-2011, 02:11 PM	#19
turboguy327 Banned Drives: 2011 Chevy Camaro Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: USA Posts: 704	Is dexcool garbage?? Yes it is. In the spring Im gonna drain mine out and put the universal stuff in. Dexcool is the worst stuff you can use.

02-24-2011, 02:12 PM	#20
Russell James Drives: '15 SS 1LE, '69 Z28 drag car Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Mich Posts: 4,482	Say goodbye to your warranty.

02-24-2011, 04:14 PM	#23
Russell James Drives: '15 SS 1LE, '69 Z28 drag car Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Mich Posts: 4,482	There is absolutely no reason to remove the Dex-cool from a Camaro. If you feel you need to, feel free I could care less. Give your dealer a call on the warranty aspect of it.