Dex-cool vs the green stuff

[Illnasty]

Anyone drain the dex-cool from their truck and replace it with regular antifreeze? My mechanic did it on my 2002 Yukon but wondering if anyone has done this on their 2015 and up

 

[dbbd1]

Nope, not me...

 

[Kelsda]

Anyone drain the dex-cool from their truck and replace it with regular antifreeze? My mechanic did it on my 2002 Yukon but wondering if anyone has done this on their 2015 and up

If your truck is still under warranty you would want to replace with manufactures specifications. Antifreeze producers for a while make universal antifreeze any car-truck any color check it out

 

[Illnasty]

If your truck is still under warranty you would want to replace with manufactures specifications. Antifreeze producers for a while make universal antifreeze any car-truck any color check it out

For sure, would only consider it after the warranty is up. I figure the dex cool is just a proprietary GM product used for some extra cash flow

 

[swathdiver]

Anyone drain the dex-cool from their truck and replace it with regular antifreeze? My mechanic did it on my 2002 Yukon but wondering if anyone has done this on their 2015 and up

Why? For the last 20+ years our cooling systems have been literally maintenance free.

 

[Illnasty]

Why? For the last 20+ years our cooling systems have been literally maintenance free.

My mechanic drained mines and replaced it with regular antifreeze over ten years ago. Said the dexcool gets into a slushy build up and the antifreeze was better because of that.

 

[swathdiver]

That's true if it isn't changed when it should be and especially when air is introduced into the system. Dexcool used to always outperform the green stuff, many times over. My truck's doesn't need servicing until 150k miles. With the green stuff it was every year or two wasn't it? Been a long time. My dog used to drink the stuff we spilled and never got sick btw, tough cookie.

 

[Miami-Dade]

Not me..Not sure I will keep it in for the full 150K miles but so far plan to keep using Dex-Cool..The Green stuff I changed out every 30K miles.

 

[Kelsda]

I personally like to use this every once and a while it doesn’t hurt to check your

antifreeze

 

[Vector]

My mechanic drained mines and replaced it with regular antifreeze over ten years ago. Said the dexcool gets into a slushy build up and the antifreeze was better because of that.

I am not sure about other GM vehicles, but many in the Corvette world have gotten rid of their Dexcool because of the issues with it effecting the gaskets (degradation) and similar issues to what you describe. Thus no Dexcool in my ZR-1.
However I can say that my 2007 Sub had Dexcool in it, and I went 182,000 without a problem. Then again my motor would not have cost more than $30k to replace either.

 

[Doubeleive]

if you decide to switch it over, it's going take a few times to do it, drain it out, fill with water, run it for a while getting up to normal temp, drain it out, fill with water again, drain again, I would do this at least 3 times running your front and rear heaters at full blast and I would run some cleaner chemical thru it at the same time it's only a few bucks and it gets any crud out. thats just my recommendation.....should you decide to switch it over.

 

[dbbd1]

As above, but,...

I'm a little skeptical about the cleaner. Maybe in a newer rig but, when I had my '99 Ram, they were known to break stuff loose and then plug the heater core.

 

[iamdub]

It has been found that DexCool is actually pretty good, it's just sensitive to air. This is mostly up to the owner to prevent as they should be checking their fluid levels regularly and keeping them topped off. I'd say that the majority of drivers don't do this. I firmly believe that the reduction to DexCool issues and complaints has been due to the drastic changes in engine design. The Gen2 engines were not much different than the Gen1 design and had just as many points for potential coolant leaks. Also, the ancient design with the overflow bottle wasn't air tight, so the DexCool was still exposed to atmosphere. The LS engines are much better sealed with almost every gasket being an O-ring design and the intake manifold doesn't even having coolant passed through it, eliminating many of the common failure points. The Gen3+ also have a closed-loop cooling system where the overflow bottle (more accurately- "surge tank") is sealed from atmosphere. When everything is in good working order, there is virtually no reason for the DexCool to sludge up. Those that have issues with the DexCool either had or have a leak in the cooling system and it was ran low on coolant for too long.

 

[dmad1]

I think the last time I bought antifreeze it was around $2.50 a gallon. Was surprised at the prices now days, orange or green... Our 100k '12 LT radiator began leaking a couple of weeks ago but I think the tank was cracked and not from corrosion. It was an easy fix, just traded it for a '17.

 

[Kpwweb]

I changed Dex-Cool for Peak Global Lifetime. Still an HOA coolant but without the acid. You can flush and re-fill without the fear of reaction between the two. I did have to look awhile and finally found the Peak at NAPA. Do a search--it was enlightening. Working fine.