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
I won't comment on some of the "errors" I see in some of the posts, but will only make the following statements/observations for those interested. DISCLAIMER: I used to be fairly up to date on coolants, but haven't kept completely current for about the last 3 or 4 years so some of the following might have changed, but is sort of doubt it.
1. Be careful about buying and keeping extra coolant for topping off. IIRC coolants have a definite "shelf life" and it's only around 5 or so years and not "forever".
2. G05 and Dexcool are two VERY DIFFERENT COOLANTS. G05 is what Ford switched to in around 2005 and Chrysler/Cummins used to for quite a few years. I still believe Ford uses the G05 on both it's diesels and gassers and probably Chrysler for its gassers, but Cummins might have gone to one of the other ELCs. Ford did use a Dexcool type coolant in a couple of models, but they are only like one or two and that was like 10 years ago. Not sure if any FORD products currently uses a Dexcool type coolant now. Dexcool is a "STRAIGHT OAT" coolant whereas the G05 is a "HYBRID OAT".
3. Cavitation in Diesels is a very important consideration, but it is mainly in engines that have what is called a "wet sleive" technology where the cylinder is lined with a liner that has coolant in contact with it and this "thin" membrane provides a mechanism for the coolant to "cavitate" and eat away at the metal in that area. HOWEVER this cavitation consideration is almost non existant in the LD Cummins and Ford diesel engines since they use what is called a "parent bore" engine block that has no "liners". This results in VERY HEAVY cylinder wall to coolant passage interfaces causing coolant concerns to basically nonexistent.
Larry
1. Be careful about buying and keeping extra coolant for topping off. IIRC coolants have a definite "shelf life" and it's only around 5 or so years and not "forever".
2. G05 and Dexcool are two VERY DIFFERENT COOLANTS. G05 is what Ford switched to in around 2005 and Chrysler/Cummins used to for quite a few years. I still believe Ford uses the G05 on both it's diesels and gassers and probably Chrysler for its gassers, but Cummins might have gone to one of the other ELCs. Ford did use a Dexcool type coolant in a couple of models, but they are only like one or two and that was like 10 years ago. Not sure if any FORD products currently uses a Dexcool type coolant now. Dexcool is a "STRAIGHT OAT" coolant whereas the G05 is a "HYBRID OAT".
3. Cavitation in Diesels is a very important consideration, but it is mainly in engines that have what is called a "wet sleive" technology where the cylinder is lined with a liner that has coolant in contact with it and this "thin" membrane provides a mechanism for the coolant to "cavitate" and eat away at the metal in that area. HOWEVER this cavitation consideration is almost non existant in the LD Cummins and Ford diesel engines since they use what is called a "parent bore" engine block that has no "liners". This results in VERY HEAVY cylinder wall to coolant passage interfaces causing coolant concerns to basically nonexistent.
Larry
