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Dex-Cool Orange Antifreeze
Sent to Car Experts March 29 12:23 PM

The Car Doctor (WOR Radio NY) suggests that Dex-C00l should be replaced with the traditional green antifreeze to avoid problems caused by Dex-Cool orange antifreeze. Would you also recommend this action?

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $5
Answer
March 29 1:50 PM (1 hour and 26 minutes and 19 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark

  Yes dex cool breaks down too fast and deteriorates the gaskets in the engine.

http://www.geocities.com/b_gillie/dexcool_problems.html 



Edited by enginboy on March 29 2005 at 4:35 PM
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Marc -- Technician -- 98% Positive Feedback on 1029 Car Accepts
33 years exp. automotive repair NYS emisisions repair cert.
Reply
March 29 7:26 PM (5 hours and 36 minutes and 27 seconds later)
         
Reply to enginboy's Post: Need additional consumer and mechanics replies to this problem. Thanks
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Info Request
March 29 7:40 PM (13 minutes and 28 seconds later)
         
REPLIED to Info RequestCheck Mark
 There are numerous TSBs on what causes the problems and how to avoid them. Personally, I like Dexcool and use it in my own vehicle but I am aware of the potential for problems with sludge build up. GM says it only happens when the system has air in it.
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Tech501 -- Auto Service Technician -- 96% Positive Feedback on 740 Car Accepts
38 years exp, ASE Mastertech with L1 Advanced Engine performance
Info Request
March 29 7:52 PM (12 minutes and 12 seconds later)
         
 Maybe the car doctor should pay for the enviromental impact of coolant disposal.It's called cradle to grave responsibility.
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Davo -- Master technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 1931 Car Accepts
ASE Master Technician/Advanced Automotive Diagnostic Technician
Info Request
March 29 8:36 PM (43 minutes and 55 seconds later)
         
 But the point is that it's changed less often.
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Tech501 -- Auto Service Technician -- 96% Positive Feedback on 740 Car Accepts
38 years exp, ASE Mastertech with L1 Advanced Engine performance
Reply
March 30 10:15 AM (13 hours and 39 minutes and 32 seconds later)
         
Reply to Tech501's Post: "Sludge only happens when the system has air in it according to GM." The antifreeze bottle has plenty of open space above the hot mark for air to enter it. How does one keep air out? How can we avoid the sludge build-up?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
March 30 4:07 PM (5 hours and 51 minutes and 10 seconds later)
         
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Jason -- Auto Service Technician -- Expert's Profile
Certificate in automotive technology. 4.00 gpa.
Info Request
March 30 5:16 PM (1 hour and 9 minutes and 34 seconds later)
         
REPLIED to Info RequestCheck Mark
 No, it does NOT have to be flushed out first. The 2 are completely compatable. The only difference is that once Dexcool is contaminated with green coolant, it no longer has the "silicate free" properties of Dexcool. Think of Dexcool as sterile and once mixed with green, it has only the properties of green. You WILL have to thoroughly flush all the green out if you ever want the benefits of Dexcool again.
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Tech501 -- Auto Service Technician -- 96% Positive Feedback on 740 Car Accepts
38 years exp, ASE Mastertech with L1 Advanced Engine performance
Reply
March 31 10:36 AM (17 hours and 20 minutes and 21 seconds later)
         
Reply to Tech501's Post: Thanks tech 501 for your input.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
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