Coolant
06-10-2003, 08:40 AM
#2
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Re: Coolant
Originally Posted by Champaign-Granny
What kind of coolant do you guys prefer to use?
GM designed the engine to run on certain components & fluids. If you change the fluids, you change the wear capabilities of that fluid & some hameful results could happen. First off, Dexcool & Antifreeze DO NOT MIX! I'm a big fan of Dexcool mind you, but I will not switch out the antifreeze out of my 92 SE though.Here'* some basic facts on Dexcool:
Can DEXCOOL organic acid antifreeze be mixed with ethylene glycol
antifreeze?
It is ethylene glycol based antifreeze! The concern with mixing comes from
the fact that there are very different chemical inhibitor packages in use.
Most leading technologies will work very well when used as intended,
typically at 50% in good quality water. If the coolants become mixed with
DEXCOOL, however, one study showed a possible aluminum corrosion problem in
certain situations. The other question is a concern for dilution of the
protection packages. At what mix is the there too little of either inhibitor
to protect the engine? As a precaution, both GM and Caterpillar instruct
that contaminated systems must be maintained as if they contained only
conventional coolant
antifreeze?
It is ethylene glycol based antifreeze! The concern with mixing comes from
the fact that there are very different chemical inhibitor packages in use.
Most leading technologies will work very well when used as intended,
typically at 50% in good quality water. If the coolants become mixed with
DEXCOOL, however, one study showed a possible aluminum corrosion problem in
certain situations. The other question is a concern for dilution of the
protection packages. At what mix is the there too little of either inhibitor
to protect the engine? As a precaution, both GM and Caterpillar instruct
that contaminated systems must be maintained as if they contained only
conventional coolant
Does it protect aluminum?
Yes, even though it contains no silicate, the primary aluminum protector in
conventional antifreezes, published data shows that it protects aluminum.
Yes, even though it contains no silicate, the primary aluminum protector in
conventional antifreezes, published data shows that it protects aluminum.
What are the advantages of DEXCOOL compared to the previous GM 6043
factory-fill?
Compared to old-fashioned phosphate antifreeze, it may be more stable and
improve water pump life. Evaluations of the two technologies to compare
their respective service lives has found them comparable. In fact, a Ford
Motor Company study concluded that organic acid coolants do not offer any
significant advantages for the consumer over current North American
coolants. In a modern car with a well maintained cooling system, current
North American and OEM factory fill coolant corrosion protection can be
extended far beyond previous expectations
factory-fill?
Compared to old-fashioned phosphate antifreeze, it may be more stable and
improve water pump life. Evaluations of the two technologies to compare
their respective service lives has found them comparable. In fact, a Ford
Motor Company study concluded that organic acid coolants do not offer any
significant advantages for the consumer over current North American
coolants. In a modern car with a well maintained cooling system, current
North American and OEM factory fill coolant corrosion protection can be
extended far beyond previous expectations
06-10-2003, 10:23 AM
#3
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Hi
Dexcool is a high maintenance coolant.
It must be checked regularly to make sure the level in the bottle is maintained. It has a much higher evaporation rate than traditional "green".
Since Dexcool has no silicates in which to "plate" components with its anti corrosion properties, it must completely cover the items to continue to protect them. If it eveaporates down, and oxygen invades the system, than expect corrosion like you've never seen before.
Also, if by some strange reason , you want to continue using dex...make sure you swap to a replacement stant radiator cover. Donot continue using the oem design.
In short...IF you maintain the level in the overflow bottle, limit the dex to max of 3 years, and replace the oem rad cap, than dex may be alright.
Check out google when I did a search on dexcool.
http://www.google.ca/search?q=dexcoo...-8&hl=en&meta=
Dexcool is a high maintenance coolant.
It must be checked regularly to make sure the level in the bottle is maintained. It has a much higher evaporation rate than traditional "green".
Since Dexcool has no silicates in which to "plate" components with its anti corrosion properties, it must completely cover the items to continue to protect them. If it eveaporates down, and oxygen invades the system, than expect corrosion like you've never seen before.
Also, if by some strange reason , you want to continue using dex...make sure you swap to a replacement stant radiator cover. Donot continue using the oem design.
In short...IF you maintain the level in the overflow bottle, limit the dex to max of 3 years, and replace the oem rad cap, than dex may be alright.
Check out google when I did a search on dexcool.
http://www.google.ca/search?q=dexcoo...-8&hl=en&meta=
06-11-2003, 11:05 AM
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Hi
I just noticed that you have a 1992 model. Because of the type of solder used in your cooling system, you MUST NOT use anything but green coolant. This is true of any car originally sold with green as factory fill coolant.
I prefer the Prestone (yellow bottle) which has a slight yellow tinge to the coolant itself. Maintain a 50-60% mix with water (not well water) and you should be fine for the next two years.
Here are some interesting links on dex.
http://www.motor.com/MAGAZINE/Pdf/082002_04.pdf
http://www.oqcgp.com/forum/viewtopic...hlight=dexcool
http://www.oqcgp.com/forum/viewtopic...hlight=dexcool
I just noticed that you have a 1992 model. Because of the type of solder used in your cooling system, you MUST NOT use anything but green coolant. This is true of any car originally sold with green as factory fill coolant.
I prefer the Prestone (yellow bottle) which has a slight yellow tinge to the coolant itself. Maintain a 50-60% mix with water (not well water) and you should be fine for the next two years.
Here are some interesting links on dex.
http://www.motor.com/MAGAZINE/Pdf/082002_04.pdf
http://www.oqcgp.com/forum/viewtopic...hlight=dexcool
http://www.oqcgp.com/forum/viewtopic...hlight=dexcool
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