Question about Dexcool coolant
Not really tow vehicle related, but the wife has a Chevy Traverse that uses Dexcool of course. I want to buy a jug just to keep around for topping off the coolant if it gets a bit low. Is there any ...
Forum Discussion
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Coolant is a good thing to think about for our tow vehicles as winter approaches, so the OP is right on. Green ethylene glycol is deathly poisonous to ingest; friendly Dexcool not so much.
My wifes '95 Corvette had OEM Dexcool; so did her '00 Impala and my '94 Mazda. Dexcool worked fine as far as I am concerned and extended my service intervals.
The Dexcool only has to be changed out every 5 years as opposed to 3 years with green ethylene glycol. The LT1 Corvette had the waterpump go out, but that was because of dry seals from lack of driving. The waterpump bearing was still as tight as new when I pulled it. The rear pinion seal and clutch slave cylinder leaked too... garage queens typically have these sort of problems. Motorcoach owners with low driving time beware.
The Impala (3.4L) lost an intake gasket, but that period gasket defect happened to the majority of them no matter the coolant type. Gm also recommends that a couple of sealant pellets be added to all GM's as a matter of routine at the same time.
The Mazda (4.0L) cooling system survived unscathed, although it seems strange that the twin Ford Ranger... built on the exact same Ford line... got the green glycol stuff and a 3 year service interval instead of 5.
Probably the most overlooked coolant caveat are the diesel trucks. All require anti-cavitation additive, and Ford even recommends adding some in between coolant change-outs. Especially if the truck works hard (tuners note!), and doesn't have sufficient such additive, the cylinders can pit so bad from accoustic cavitation-spalling on the coolant side as to get pinholes leading from the waterjacket to inside the combustion cylinder.
Too much anti-cavitation additive is not good either, so it is recommended that the coolant be checked by a diesel shop lab equipped to do it. Locally that would be our Caterpillar dealer. Savvy pro-truckers use this service, as well as heavy equipment operators, as it is just as important as oil-lab checks if not moreso.
Wes
...
Coolant is a good thing to think about for our tow vehicles as winter approaches, so the OP is right on. Green ethylene glycol is deathly poisonous to ingest; friendly Dexcool not so much.
My wifes '95 Corvette had OEM Dexcool; so did her '00 Impala and my '94 Mazda. Dexcool worked fine as far as I am concerned and extended my service intervals.
The Dexcool only has to be changed out every 5 years as opposed to 3 years with green ethylene glycol. The LT1 Corvette had the waterpump go out, but that was because of dry seals from lack of driving. The waterpump bearing was still as tight as new when I pulled it. The rear pinion seal and clutch slave cylinder leaked too... garage queens typically have these sort of problems. Motorcoach owners with low driving time beware.
The Impala (3.4L) lost an intake gasket, but that period gasket defect happened to the majority of them no matter the coolant type. Gm also recommends that a couple of sealant pellets be added to all GM's as a matter of routine at the same time.
The Mazda (4.0L) cooling system survived unscathed, although it seems strange that the twin Ford Ranger... built on the exact same Ford line... got the green glycol stuff and a 3 year service interval instead of 5.
Probably the most overlooked coolant caveat are the diesel trucks. All require anti-cavitation additive, and Ford even recommends adding some in between coolant change-outs. Especially if the truck works hard (tuners note!), and doesn't have sufficient such additive, the cylinders can pit so bad from accoustic cavitation-spalling on the coolant side as to get pinholes leading from the waterjacket to inside the combustion cylinder.
Too much anti-cavitation additive is not good either, so it is recommended that the coolant be checked by a diesel shop lab equipped to do it. Locally that would be our Caterpillar dealer. Savvy pro-truckers use this service, as well as heavy equipment operators, as it is just as important as oil-lab checks if not moreso.
Wes
...
