[TheBac]

I felt its time to change out my coolant, since BBT has 105,000 miles, and I'd like to know what coolant I should use, since Dexcool has such a bad reputation.

Also, what procedure should I use to change it out? Is there some kit like the old "heater hose" fittings that makes flushing the system easier?

 

[Guest]

I am getting ready to switch over to "waterless coolant"

 

[killerbee]

Tom, I have a hose end on-off valve, and a cascade type hose end (you see them in nurseries, home depot sells them) that fits inside the 2" rad hose and seals, so as to make flushing in reverse very effective.

First thing, wrap the TCM in plastic to keep it dry. It is very exposed to the top rad hose

At 105K, are you wanting to degrease or use a flush agent?

I'll reserve coolant ideas, you know what I think already.

 

[TheBac]

G05, right? Or should I just use regular old green antifreeze?

 

[killerbee]

Now you are going to start a riot

 

[TheBac]

Cripes, I'm just looking for recommendations. I really don't want to screw up my engine by accidentally mixing Dexcool with something that works better, but getting an engine full of brown sludge as a result.

I had a friend do that very thing to the 3.8L in his Camaro, and some months and $1500 later he had a new motor and radiator. He mistakenly thought he could add green to Dex.

 

[killerbee]

Old Green is a bad idea, It is a high silicate formula, and not formulated for the rigors of diesel, it will precipitate silicate more readily. That is the leading cause of pump failure.

The example you cited, is why GM is litigating dex against class action aggression: incompatability with non-OAT type coolants. FWIW G05 is not much better in that regard IIRC. It is the cavitation resistance of G05 over time that I continue to defend as superior to dexcool. Otherwise, as long as there is no sign of other issues, dexcool may be the best option for a lot of folks.

And never go to jiffy lube, LOL. This is what is causing GM much of its bad press: Coolant contamination by hack mechanics topping with the wrong coolant.

 

[TheBac]

And never go to jiffy lube, LOL. This is what is causing GM much of its bad press: Coolant contamination by hack mechanics topping with the wrong coolant.

Amen to that.

 

[idahofox]

No, Zero, green stuff in a diesel. IMO.

FWIW.

 

[TheBac]

Thanks guys. Maybe just replacing the Dex with Dex is the best way to go for me..

 

[DMAXITOL]

After a 100,000 mi on my 1st run of G 0 5 I recently changed the coolant. It was still very clean and up to spec. I probably didn't need to do it, but I'm xtra anal on maintenance. 270, +++ miles on this truck , original water pump and hoses. I remember my 1st change with Dex cool at 156,000, it was black and junked up, with a lot of what appeared to be disintegrating hose in the bottom of the de-gas bottle. I inquired at valvoline about this, after skirting around the issue a little they really didn't have a problem with its use (G 0 5) as everyone else has gone to this formulation. (Ford & Chrysler) Go for it! Maybe you won't see the type of water pump failures I have seen out here on the road with the continued use of Dex cool. Seems that some of the higher mileage (180,000 mi or so) units have seen the side of the pump housing simply erode away.

 

[John_G]

There are TWO "types" of coolant, "Regular" and ELC.

Then you have two "flavors" of each of those, Automotive and HD.

Every DIESEL that I know of NEEDS the "HD" style coolant, wether that is "regular" or "ELC" type does not matter, as long as it is for HD Diesel enignes.

You will NOT find coolant for Diesels at your local parts house, go to a Truck store (CAT, International etc) and use the coolant they sell, it IS for Diesels.

Also, DO NOT mix "ELC" type coolants with TAP or WELL Water, you WILL ruin it.

 

[idahofox]

Good info. JohnG.