Dexcool....

[ericchile]

It's time to replace my antifreeze in my 409 CES.

After much reading about dexcool it appears that GM has a class action lawsuit due to Dexcool and premature head gasket failure. Anyone know more about this and if we should think about switching to something else?

If not I am considering draining all from CES (fresh water system) and filling with just under 6 gallons of this stuff.
http://www.amazon.com/Zerex-ZXELRU1-...productDetails

Thoughts?

[Nautiquehunter]

I worked at a GM dealer and saw many intake gaskets and a few head gaskets . I would not ever use Dex cool in anything.
I use Prestone 50/50% mix with water it has never let me down.

[ffmedic74]

I have heard the same thing about dexcool. The real issue with the switch is ensuring that you have every bit of the dexcool out as if it mixes with regular antifreeze, it turns into a gel substance.

[Nautiquehunter]

Most of the new antifreeze formulas will mix with Dex cool without any problems.

[ericchile]

I worked at a GM dealer and saw many intake gaskets and a few head gaskets . I would not ever use Dex cool in anything.
I use Prestone 50/50% mix with water it has never let me down.

Well... can't understand why PCM still says to use it and the dealer uses it... Or is the Zerex DexCool compatible not actually 'Dexcool' in it's original form?

[jsta281]

I worked at a GM dealer and saw many intake gaskets and a few head gaskets . I would not ever use Dex cool in anything.
I use Prestone 50/50% mix with water it has never let me down.

What about the dex cool is believed to cause the gasket failure?

[AirTool]

What about the dex cool is believed to cause the gasket failure?

I'd like to know this also.

The 5.7R vortec intake gaskets (I own one) failed MAINLY because there are not enough intake bolts to secure the intake. This can be determined quickly by inspection. Now...GM says they also had defective "gaskets" but that (IMO) is only to get out of the intake lawsuit. (They reduced the bolts to make room for the upper intake cover and injection spider...also a stupid design that was eventually TSB'd and changed. (I changed that too...but I wasn't smart enough to change it when I had the intake off for the gaskets.)

I know of a few head gasket failures...(I've not had one) but they were probably caused by steady overheating has the intake gaskets failed chronically.

I still use Dexcool in my 99 Tahoe...but I use a hydrometer to make sure it is not mixed over 50:50....as that will cause it to Gel.

[Skidave]

Dexcool ate three water pumps, one radiator and multiple gaskets on my 96 Chevy Blazer. I know someone that had a 98 S-10 with Dexcool with exactly the same issue. I converted to basic green antifreeze after I changed the radiator and 3rd water pump and so did my friend with his S-10...never had a cooling issue again. GM changed the Dexcool mix or something after several years of issues. I jumped in on the class action lawsuit with receipts and all...never saw a dime. Not surprising... I used to have the 2 liter bottle with the sludge that came out of my radiator when I drained it as proof.

Thanks GM for causing me to waste so much of my hard earned money!

Dave