GM engine leaks and DexCool?

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  • An external leak allows the coolant to leak outside of the engine. The leaks occur around the intake manifold gasket. DexCool The failures are linked to DexCool, GM’s long-life coolant. DexCool corrodes the intake manifold gasket from inside and the plastic casing around the intake ports breaks down.

Does DexCool damage your engine?

Ten years after General Motors began using Dex-Cool as an antifreeze in most of its cars and light trucks, GM car and truck owners continue to complain that the coolant corrodes and clogs radiators and radiator caps, erodes water pumps, rots radiator hoses, causes chronic overheating and engine damage while leading to

Is DexCool still a problem?

GM still uses Dex-Cool coolant and there is no longer a problem with gasket coolant interaction. So contrary to the ranting, DexCool IS the recommended coolant for GM engine.

Why is DexCool so bad?

For years the DexCool coolant used in GM Engines ate the Intake Manifold Gasket. It caused a 100% failure rate in gaskets used in the 3.1 and 3.4 V6 engines. They later changed the gasket to a newer part number, but were on the hook for 10,000 intake gasket replacements.

Can I use GM DexCool?

Firstly, Dex-Cool and traditional anti-freeze don’t mix well. Though they can work together in a pinch, after extended use, they can react and create a gel, which can be very damaging to multiple components of your cooling system. For that reason, the best thing for your Chevy or GM vehicle is to stick with Dex -Cool.

What years did GM use Dexcool?

Now there is a new engine coolant formulated to last five years/100,000 miles – that’s three years/70,000 miles longer than conventional coolants. Dex-Cool, which is made by Texaco, is being used exclusively by General Motors in some buildout 1995 models and all 1996 cars and trucks except Saturn and Geo.

What can I use instead of Dex cool?

I recommend Yellow. Prestone extended life. Either 50/50 or cut it yourself with distilled. It is GM certified as a DEX Cool replacement and can be mixed with Dex Cool (don’t mix it outright, drain it, just that what does not drain out it’s ok when it intermixes).

What color is GM coolant?

Each manufacturer designs its engines around a specific coolant or antifreeze standard with different additives. GM, for example, uses orange-colored Dex-Cool antifreeze, while VW’s preferred coolants are typically yellow- or blue-colored, Hemmings reports.

What vehicles use Dexcool?

Concentrate. Designed to work with all GM ® vehicles 1995 & newer (GM ®-approved), most Ford ® vehicles 2011-2018 and most Chrysler ® vehicles 2013 & newer.

Does Dex Cool eat gaskets?

if your using Dex Cool antifreeze, its eating away at your engines gaskets and cooling system components. it could also get inside your engine and mix with your oil from gaskets or alumiunm parts being eatin away from the dex cool.

Is Prestone Dex Cool premixed?

Prestone DEX-COOL™ 50/50 Premixed AntiFreeze+Coolant, 3.78-L.

What is GM antifreeze?

ACDelco GM OE Dex-Cool Antifreeze Extended Life Coolant Concentrate is an orange, silicate and phosphate free, premium-grade coolant/antifreeze that is formulated with a chemical composition that minimizes breakdown of metal components in contact with the fluid.

Is all orange coolant Dexcool?

The Colors of Coolant What color is Dex-Cool®?” It’s true, coolant liquid comes in different colors, most commonly green (orange for Dex-Cool®). Each color is a unique formula that should not be mixed. The below chart will help you decipher which fluid is in your vehicle.

What antifreeze does GMC use?

Vehicle Care / Vehicle Checks / Engine Coolant. The cooling system in the vehicle is filled with DEX-COOL® engine coolant. This coolant is designed to remain in the vehicle for 5 years or 240 000 km (150,000 mi), whichever occurs first.

Can I mix Dexcool with regular antifreeze?

Do not mix Dex-Cool with regular anti-freeze! Dex-Cool is a specially formulated GM coolant which will not mix with traditional coolants, and was used in various GM applications up through the 2004 model year.

GM engine leaks and DexCool

There are a plethora of websites that rave about the dangers of General Motors’ DexCool coolant and how it causes engines to fail. It even resulted in a class action lawsuit against DexCool. GM reached a settlement without acknowledging any wrongdoing. Nevertheless, historical evidence has demonstrated that the true problem was not caused by DexCool, but rather by an improperly designed gasket. As a result, General Motors has altered the intake manifold gaskets for the 3.1L and 3.4L engines multiple times in order to solve the issue.

However, they continued to fail, demonstrating that DexCool was not the source of the problem.

Read the following excerpt from an article published in 2013 by Engine Builder magazine on GM engine problems: Leaky Intake Manifold Gaskets are one of the most common problems with the 3.1LLeaky Intake Manifold Gaskets.

GM’s Dex-Cool antifreeze has been blamed for the problem by some, but the true culprit has been the intake manifold gaskets, which have failed.

  1. There is no evidence that DexCool was responsible for the hole in this gasket.
  2. Over time, the plastic carrier and seals soften and distort, resulting in the gasket losing its ability to maintain a tight seal.
  3. A lack of coolant eventually leads the engine to overheat, which can result in additional damage such as a cracked or ruptured head gasket, among other things.
  4. The higher the mileage, the more likely it is that the intake manifold gaskets are leaking coolant into the engine compartment.
  5. If an internal coolant leak is detected, the intake manifold must be removed and both intake manifold gaskets must be replaced.
  6. This includes replacing the old intake manifold bolts with new ones, which is highly recommended.
  7. According to both General Motors and major engine rebuilders, chemical incompatibilities between the new gaskets and non-DexCool coolants have been observed.
  8. Coolant performs a variety of functions in addition to just transferring heat from the engine to the radiator.
  9. In addition, because there are so many different metals utilized in engine components such as the water pump, heater cores, steel tubing, transmission coolers, and radiators, going with anything other than GM guidelines is tantamount to asking for pricey trouble.
  10. Please submit it to me by clicking here.
  11. Purchase an online membership to either Alldatadiy.com or eautorepair.net to have access to further information on this repair or any others for your car.

To compare the two services, please visit the following link: Alldata and Eautorepair are comparable. Rick Muscoplat was born in the year 2012. Rick Muscoplat posted a blog entry on

Is Dex-Cool To Blame For Chevy’s Intake Manifold Failure?

Most General Motors vehicles manufactured between the late 1990s and the mid-2000s suffer from leaking coolant due to a broken intake manifold gasket, which is a very prevalent problem. The problem, according to the majority of specialists, is caused by General Motors’ ‘DexCool’ coolant, which interacts with the intake manifold gasket and causes it to leak fluid.

DexCool Coolant and the Intake Manifold Gasket∞

According to many Chevrolet owners, Dex-Cool is a sort of coolant that is corrosive and eats away at essential engine components such as the heater core, radiator, and water pump. A number of class action lawsuits have been brought in both the United States and Canada. Even statewide class action cases, on the other hand, have been plagued by difficulties. Dex-Cool claims have previously been denied the right to proceed as a class action in state courts in Michigan and California. The cost of replacing the intake manifold gasket is typically between $700 and $1,000, with the majority of the expense being labor.

As of right now, there is no recall for the intake gasket because it does not pose a safety threat (at least according to the NHTSA).

Federal Judge Rejects Dex-Cool Class Action Lawsuit∞

According to many Chevrolet owners, Dex-Cool is a sort of coolant that is corrosive and eats away at essential engine components such as the radiator, heater core, and water pump. Class action lawsuits have been launched in both the United States and Canada, as well as in other jurisdictions. Even statewide class action lawsuits, on the other hand, have been met with difficulties. Class action status for Dex-Cool cases has previously been denied in state courts in Michigan and California. The cost of replacing the intake manifold gasket ranges between $700 and $1,000, with the majority of the expense being labor.

Since there is no safety concern with the intake gasket, no recall has been issued to yet (at least according to the NHTSA).

Dex-Cool Class Action Law Firms∞

  • Girard Gibbs LLP (California)
  • Cohen, Milstein, HausfeldToll, PLLC (New York, Washington, D.C., Illinois, and Pennsylvania)
  • Cory Watson CrowderDeGaris (Alabama)
  • Cohen, Milstein, HausfeldToll, PLLC (New York, Washington, D.C., Illinois,
  1. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is a government agency that promotes traffic safety.

Ruling is Near on GM Engine Coolant: Class Action Sought over Dex-Cool

According to the Detroit Free Press More information is available by clicking here. In the coming weeks, a federal court may decide whether General Motors Corp. will be subjected to a national class action lawsuit accusing the automaker of selling millions of vehicles equipped with contaminated coolant. Suits against General Motors are based on the company’s usage of Dex-Cool, a coolant that was initially released in 1995 and was installed in more than 35 million automobiles and pickup trucks between 1995 and 2004.

  1. Customers have reported a variety of issues ranging from minor coolant leaks to catastrophic radiator and engine failure.
  2. The firm has issued multiple technical advisories to its dealers on cooling-related difficulties with the engines, but it prefers to deal with customer complaints on an individual basis, according to a company spokesperson.
  3. General Motors was the first carmaker in the United States to employ Dex-Cool, which uses a different mix of chemicals to preserve engine parts than typical green-colored coolant, which requires more regular replacement, and the company was the first to use it.
  4. In order for the owners to be successful, they must persuade General Motors to fulfill its warranty obligations, according to Eric Gibbs, a San Francisco-based attorney who is one of the group’s senior attorneys.
  5. As the company points out in its court filings, the Dex-Cool system ‘has worked without difficulties in the vast majority of GM cars.’ In a statement, General Motors spokeswoman Geri Lama expressed regret over the recent motion to certify a class action.
  6. In East St.
  7. District Judge Patrick Murphy could rule at any time on whether the cases, which have approximately 100 named plaintiffs, should be granted class-action status, which would allow them to represent millions of former and current General Motors owners.
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Among the problems attributed to Dex-Cool are leaking coolant and blown engines.

The cost of replacing a gasket is typically around $700, but a defective gasket might cause enough damage to the engine that the engine must be replaced.

According to the Free Pressreview, around 110 complaints of coolant leaks in the GM vehicles targeted by the lawsuit have been lodged with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Customers have reported that their cooling systems are experiencing difficulties around 60,000 miles, which is considerably beyond the engine’s warranty but much sooner than they expect to have problems with their cooling systems.

Mark Reynolds, the proprietor of a radiator repair business in San Carlos, California, estimates that he sees one or two General Motors vehicles with Dex-Cool problems every week.

Vehicles in their fourth or fifth year with this terrible, sticky muck assaulting the top of the radiator cap and clogging up the radiator, he claimed, was ‘a disgrace.’ GM has claimed that the complaint should not be certified as a class action, citing the fact that identical actions have already been dismissed in state courts in Michigan and California.

Cool’s According to Lama, if a General Motors client experiences an issue that is beyond the scope of the warranty, GM has a procedure for dealing with it through its dealers.

According to Lama, the top objective of General Motors and its dealers is to provide assistance to their consumers. The Detroit Free Press has copyright protection for the year 2006. _All Rights Are Reserved_. To see the remainder of today’s headlines, please visit this page.

Dexcool leak

A recent exterior leak from the back corners of the lower intake on my 1998 Olds eighty-eight has been discovered. I’m aware that this is a typical problem with General Motors, and I’d rather sell this car than pay for a pricey lower intake. The leak is not very serious. What I was asking is how long this would last if I added bars of leak to the radiator. I’ve heard both positive and negative things regarding bars that leak. One of the negative effects I’ve heard about it is that it clogs your radiator, heater core, and waterpump.

  1. Is the situation truly so bad?
  2. Those leaks frequently cause coolant to enter the motor oil, which is extremely detrimental to the engine.
  3. John Oh my my, that stuff is just terrible.
  4. If I could show you the 60+ engines I’ve had to replace as a result of this, you’d be persuaded immediately.
  5. It had a leak in the bottom intake gasket.
  6. When I removed the oil filter, I saw that the entire bar had leaked.
  7. Charles |

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I would not put my faith on leak stopping goop to provide a solution.

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What’s the harm in trying?

I think the seal tabs were even placed in that engine when it was built that year, directly from the manufacturer.

Alternatively, if all else fails, there are some less expensive alternatives to replace the lower intake.

I personally would not advocate this method to a consumer who walked into our business, but I am obligated to stand by the fix.

H This applies to the 3.1L series engine, in which the coolant leak is internal and the coolant enters the oil through a small hole.

GWHairy expressed himself as follows: The engine in question is a Buick 3.8 Series II V6 as stated by the OP (original poster).

The engine that has been mentioned is a Chevrolet 3.1/3100Gen III V6. Both leak in various ways, but both have problems with the bottom intake seal. My argument was that adding a stop leak to either of these options is not recommended. Charles

The intake gasket on the 3.1/3100 will allow coolant to seep into the engine’s engine oil. The head-to-intake seal is where these gaskets break most frequently. When they leak, coolant is forced to flow directly into the return galleries located beneath the valve covers. The previous owner of the vehicle in issue had continually adding coolant to the vehicle in order to prevent a leak in the cooling system. They couldn’t have known the oil dip stick was white if they hadn’t removed it. The automobile was acquired by my customer at a police impound auction.

  • I lifted the dip stick and noticed the white oil, assuming it was an intake leak, and urged him not to spend more than $100.
  • Because you can’t start the automobiles there, and because the steering column was in such bad state that it wouldn’t start, we had to wait a few days until I could get a new column sent to the location.
  • The next stage included draining the oil.
  • Allow a quart of spent water to drain through before inserting the stopper.
  • Not only does it have a severe knock, but when it gets too hot, it shuts down completely.
  • Because the goal of the acquisition was to purchase for resale, Charles Almost certainly not: It went into the lifter valley first, then the oil pan, the pump, and ultimately the oil filter, because it was the path of least resistance!
  • One good high-speed drive down the interstate may remove the seal, causing the coolant to leak into the crankcase and destroying an otherwise excellent engine in the process.

King’s Refinishing As I mentioned previously, I’m a big fan of According to the business, Bars Leak is utilized by the main three directly out of the factory, and this is confirmed by them.

I already had it in the car and had it running for an hour.

On this subject, I’m hearing a variety of viewpoints.

According to what I’ve heard, GM gets the best deals from the bars and leak companies themselves.

More information, according to the corporation, it will also prevent and stop internal leaks.

formatting a hyperlink Also included is an e-mail I wrote, as well as their response: (Please notice that my communication is the last and their response is the first.) (( Certainly not; we have been in business since 1947 and will not do any damage to your system.

As for other stop leaks, I can’t comment for them, but ours is both safe and effective.

To:[email protected] The subject of this message is: bars leak and dexcool.

Is this correct?

These vehicles were brand new, right out of the factory, and when I inquired as to which cars, they said all 3800 V-6’s from 2000 to 2003.

Ironic that Bars Leak Corporation is based in Holly Michigan, which is in close proximity to Detroit of all places.

Another person with whom I spoke was a master technician who has been in the business for 35 years and has a stellar reputation for being decent, fair and honest, and he assured me that a single bottle would not be harmful in any way.

However, he stated that I would have to regularly apply it in order to get this result.

I’m selling the car anyhow, and I’m not going to pay the 500 or so dollars it will take to correct the problem only to have it break down again in another 30,000 miles, as is customary.

When I pressed them on this, they remained deafeningly silent, as they always did.

The big three crybabies then wonder why the general populace in the United States prefers foreign automobiles.

They may have been good in the sixties and seventies, but what they are producing now is mediocre at best. I’m done with General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. I’ve got enough pricey headaches to last a lifetime. I’m on my way to Toyota, Honda, or Nissan!

GM may have obtained the ‘recipe’ from the Bars Leak, but it is very definitely not in the same form. GM: Again, if you are concerned, simply visit a dealership and obtain a card of General Motors sealing tabs. You will receive 6 large pellets, which will be more than plenty for one application. I’d just use two of them. With all due respect to the other members of this newsgroup who have posted on this topic. Do not believe the claims that this substance would harm your engine or that it will clog up your heater core, among other things.

  1. If this product performed all of the bad things that people claim it does, General Motors would not be using it.
  2. Its purpose was to prevent small seepage that ‘might’ occur with modern engines from occurring.
  3. As a result, you could be taking a gamble in your situation.
  4. Symptoms of Toyotaitis include gum and sludge in the crankcase, braking issues, and a slew of TSBs to address.
  5. We’ve all heard the stories of what happens when the French become involved with a vehicle manufacturer.
  6. Honda is another another farce, with cylinder heads shattering like those of every other automaker.
  7. If you believe that garbage is any better, relocate the fuck to Japan and learn to say: ‘Ahshoe.’ King’s Refinishing Hello, Ian: It was necessary for me to do some research because I had been a loyal Bars Leak user for about 30 years.
  8. It is guaranteed to cure fractured heads and defective head gaskets with the copper formula from Advanced and a variety of other sources, and I have replaced damaged radiators and heater cores with it.
  9. It’s in the wrong spot.
  10. That substance is a noxious irritant.

On one of the Cadillac forums, there is a Caddy engineer that advises against using that particular style of Bars Leak. Of course, I’m sure you’re aware that genetically modified food is just an organic product. On the back of the packaging, you can find a list of the contents. Ian

Ian: I’ve worked on approximately 60 engines that have been destroyed due to a leak. I have yet to have a consumer disclose that they are utilizing genetically modified pellets. They have all made use of the industry-standard powdered or liquid stop leak formulas developed by aftermarket manufacturers. The majority of these engines perished as a result of overheating. Radiators that are blocked, coolant channels that are clogged, and thermostats that are clogged to the point of not operating.

  • Almost everyone is a complete moron, and auto parts stores (not parts houses) employ moron salespeople whose sole responsibility is to sell as much snake-oil as possible in exchange for vehicle parts.
  • GasketSealer is intended for use with gaskets that are intended to be fitted dry.
  • I’m putting together an engine, and it’s crying.
  • Outside of dealerships, band-aid solutions are not a viable alternative.
  • If the stop leak does not function, the only thing that matters to him is that he will lose the $10 he paid for it.
  • There are actually two issues here, and you’re lumping them both together for convenience.
  • In the second instance, it is necessary to determine whether the product is detrimental to the engine.
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Perhaps it is, perhaps it is not.

The terms ‘stops leaks’ and ‘stops leaks’ are defined quite differently by General Motors and the owner of the vehicle.

The car’s owner wants the leaky seal fixed to the point where its lifetime is the same as that of all other seals in the engine – in other words, they want it restored to the degree of sealing capacity that the engine designers intended it to have.

Because the material only costs a few cents per pellet at the manufacturing, it saves GM money.

And the fact that General Motors has endorsed this stuff says nothing about whether it will work in the long run or not.

To put it simply, stop leak plugs a breach in a sealing surface by penetrating the gap and congealing inside it.

However, to whitewash what is going on and give the idea that this is equally as good as a genuine gasket, gasket sealer, or the metal of the component is just false and unethically misleading.

This means that the engine may last 90,000 miles instead of just 20 thousand – a big benefit to GM, who can then put off the true repair that has to be done – rectification of the fault – until such time as GM is no longer liable to cover the cost of it.

In addition, it is unlikely to fit the owner’s definition of ‘stopping leaks,’ unless you are someone like our buddy here, who is just interested in having the leak halted long enough to make a quick sell.

It’s a bad concept, end of story.

A defective seal, or one that has been incorrectly built, is going to allow seepage to occur.

If this is done, the repaired seal’s lifespan will be the same as the lifespan of all other seals in the engine. A hack repair only serves to extend the lifespan of the repaired seal for a short period of time; it does not address the underlying cause of the failure. Ted

Amazon.com: General Motors 89022219 ACDelco 10-5046 Dex-Cool Leak Detection Tracer Dye – 1 oz : Automotive

Verified PurchaseReviewed in the United States on October 30, 2019Visited website The product is effective; I just added it to the reservoir. The leak was discovered in the rear of the engine, in a t connection, after purchasing a set of UV glasses and light. It saved me the money I would have spent to have it diagnosed and corrected. After discovering the source of the leaks, I repaired them myself. The leak manifested itself as a brilliant yellow Neon. I used it as a cooler for my Dex. Verified Purchase on December 4, 2020 in the United States of America When it comes to identifying leaks, this is an excellent tool; however, make sure you get the correct one, since there are versions for Dex-Cool and regular anti-freeze.

  1. On September 25, 2020, the United States will conduct a review.
  2. When exposed to ultraviolet light, the leaking coolant looks purple.
  3. Extremely powerful.
  4. This might be used for a variety of different diagnoses.
  5. It was reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2020 and it was verified.
  6. On June 22, 2019, a verified purchase was reviewed in the United States.
  7. Yes, it is effective!
  8. I was able to save $125 dollars as a result of my efforts.
  9. On January 30, 2020, the United States will conduct a review.
  10. On January 6, 2020, the United States government reviewed the document.
  11. After running the engine for around 15 minutes, I was able to locate the leak.

GM Owners Still Steaming Over Dex-Cool

After ten years of using Dex-Coola as an antifreeze in the majority of their cars and light trucks, General Motors car and truck owners continue to complain that the coolant corrodes and clogs radiators and radiator caps, erodes water pumps, rots radiator hoses, causes chronic overheating and engine damage, and causes leaky engine gaskets to form. Patricia, who lives in Barberton, Ohio, believes she has been duped by the company. ‘My 1997 Pontiac Grand Am had two intake gaskets changed, and I was quite pleased with the results.

According to Patricia, ‘I only recently learned about the Dex-Cool difficulties, and that is the type of cooling system I have been using in my vehicle because it is the type that the manufactures need.’ Dex-Cool has already been installed in over 40 million vehicles manufactured by General Motors since 1996.

However, a regular stream of customers alleges the device is faulty and has caused damage to their automobiles.

In addition, the business now advises customers to review their car’s ‘owner’s handbook for the type of coolant that is appropriate for your vehicle’ and never ‘mix one type of coolant with another.’

Lawsuits Pending

At the time of this writing, there were 14 cases filed in state and federal courts around the country by GM car owners who were dissatisfied with their Dex-Cool experience. A Missouri court may give class-action status to lawsuits filed in his state in the near future, which would imply that millions of General Motors consumers might become parties to the litigation. The Missouri Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal from General Motors, which challenged the certification of a class action lawsuit.

  1. It is claimed by the plaintiffs that General Motors has refused to fix or reimburse them for their car repairs.
  2. Samuel from Bellville, Ohio, had a similar problem with sludge in his car’s cooling system.
  3. The usage of Dex-Cool caused muck to build up in his coolant, he stated.
  4. So far, the only thing that has to be changed is the gasket.

GM Is Mum

GM would not comment on the current cases, but it continues to assert that Dex-Cool is a significant improvement over standard cooling fluids. Vehicles with low coolant levels after 15,000 to 20,000 miles of operation, the carmaker warns, ‘may be prone to the production of rust-like material in the cooling system,’ according to a notice sent to mechanics. When Deborah from Hornell, New York brought her 2002 Buick Century in for a routine maintenance check, her mechanic gave her the same bad news as the previous customer.

‘My automobile has barely 48,000 kilometers on it,’ she noted in her letter.

Deborah holds General Motors (GM) responsible for the expensive repairs because, in her opinion, the firm ‘placed what they knew to be substandard equipment, particularly a plastic component in an engine unit and Dex-Cool antifreeze that did not operate.’ According to a complaint filed in Madison County, Illinois, Dex-Cool ‘began to convert into sludge, which subsequently gathered in the vehicle’s engine cooling system and radiator,’ according to the lawsuit.

Clear As Mud

Chevrolet would not comment on the ongoing cases, but the company maintains that Dex-Cool is an improvement over standard coolants. Vehicles with low coolant levels after 15,000 to 20,000 miles of operation, the carmaker warns, ‘may be prone to the production of rust-like material in the cooling system,’ according to a warning to mechanics from Ford. After taking her 2002 Buick Century in for a routine maintenance check, Deborah in Hornell, New York received similar news from her technician. Although the owner’s handbook claimed that the coolant should be good for 100,000 miles, Deborah was informed that the Dex-Cool needed to be cleansed and replenished.

In addition, the Dex-Cool had rusted the engine, and the mechanic informed me that the plastic manifold would need to be replaced since the Dex-Cool had actually eaten through it.

According to a lawsuit filed in Madison County, Illinois, Dex-Cool ‘began to turn into sludge, which then accumulated in the vehicle’s engine cooling system and radiator,’ according to the suit.

What To Do

Auto technicians are suggesting that if you have Dex-Cool as a coolant in your vehicle, you should not replace it with another type of antifreeze until attorneys continue to gather names for future class action lawsuits from people who believe Dex-Cool harmed their car or truck. According to the experts, if your automobile or truck came from the manufacturer with Dex-Cool, you should continue to use that coolant as a replacement and to fill off the radiator. The final point to mention is that if your automobile came from the manufacturer with regular ‘green’ antifreeze, do not replace it with Dex-Cool.

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Have we determined – does dexcool eat gaskets – manifold problem on a non-Grand Am [Archive]

View the full version of this article: Have we figured out if dexcool eats gaskets or if the manifold problem on a non-Grand Am Breadfan is due to something else? 08:26 a.m. on March 8, 2005 AMI Simply put, I’m wondering as to whether it has been determined that Dexcool has a gasket-eating property. I know that for a long time, everyone believed that the LIM problem on our cars was caused by Dexcool. However, as time progressed, it appeared that many people had altered their minds and believed that it wasn’t really Dexcool’s fault, but rather a design flaw in the gasket.

  1. What is the point of bringing this up?
  2. In the recent past (maybe 6 months to a year ago), she had her waterpump serviced, at which point the service shop cleansed her cooling system and replaced the green gunk with Dexcool.
  3. Guess where I’m going?
  4. The manifold gaskets or maybe the back seal(?) are being investigated, but it will be necessary to remove the engine from service.
  5. Although it looks to be seeping out of the engine rather than into it, this is not the case.
  6. 95-GT 08:29 a.m.
  7. When I worked on automobiles, the gasket was crushed, leading it to rupture on every single one of them.

Excool has been found in various GM vehicles owned by me (and members of my family), including a ’04 Grand Am GT, a ’99 Malibu 3100, a ’98 Sunfire 2.2L, and my Grand Mother’s 1999 Grand Prix 3800.

The Malibu was the only one to suffer from the LIM malfunction.

Breadfan03-08-2005, 08:35 a.m.03-08-2005, 08:35 a.m.

However, on second thought.

Maybe they didn’t torque the nut appropriately, in which case they were accurate.

(On a similar topic, my father’s 1999 Camaro has approximately 150k miles on the LS1 and Dexcool, with no leaks and no issues whatsoever.) BTW, that’s a lovely ‘Stang.

I’ve put 196,000 miles on mine and it’s still going strong, with no dexcool or leaks!:) Regarding leaks on other GM vehicles that were caused by dexcool, according to what I’ve read, Dexcool has only been blamed for devouring particular types of gaskets made of specified materials.

Also, the 2003 and later models are equipped with the new gaskets; I’ve heard of people who have changed theirs with the new kind only to experience issues later on.

GAGTSCTGuy 08:55 a.m.

But that’s just my opinion.

It can’t harm, and while you’re at it, you may as well check some more seals and other components.

Malaclypse 04:14:14 UTC on March 8, 2005 Dexcool had nothing to do with the failure of the gasket in the first place.

In addition, because the water pump was leaking, the rest of the cooling system was not receiving its full amount of water pressure.

Breadfan posted on March 8, 2005, at 1:51 p.m.

The problem is that, as a result of having a GAGT, I’ve ingrained all of this anti-Dexcool sentiment in my mind.

What should we put in the system once we’ve completed this work and flushed it?

2000GA03-08-2005, 03:23 p.m.

mcgrady03-08-2005, 03:39 PM03-08-2005, 03:39 PM This was discovered on the internet: ‘It’s likely that there’s more disinformation, supposition, and blatant BS regarding DexCool coolant on the internet than there is about any other single automotive product ever created.

It does not ‘react,’ and no sludge is produced as a result of combining them.

– sludge Green (slilicated coolant) is not a leak-causing agent, and it does not consume gaskets any more than white coolant does.

As a side note, if anybody here has ever pulled apart an engine that has been running on silicated coolant for years, they will have seen a white flaky coating on the interior of the cooling system.

A silicate coating has been applied to the pieces in order to protect them from electrolytic contact with the cooling fluid.

The answer is simple: heat rejection.

DexCool actually treatments the aluminum in the engine using a process that is similar to that used in bluing a rifle barrel to help prevent corrosion of the metal.

It does not leave a thermal barrier on the surface of the aluminum components; instead, it attaches to the first couple of microns of metal in the aluminum components to prevent corrosion.

Water pump seals can become clogged with flakes, resulting in premature failure.

If air is trapped or permitted to enter the pressurized side of the cooling system, it can be more aggressive in its ability to build sludge in the closed (pressurized) section of the cooling system.

You don’t want any air in there to begin with, so getting it out is a positive step.

General Motors received a slew of caps from a business named Stant that leak air, and this hasn’t improved the issue at all.

Coolants with deposits in them are frequent in all types of vehicles, including those that use a dipstick (such as F-Cars).

In addition to being non-hazardous, it has no negative impact on the effectiveness of the cooling system.

It is not permitted to utilize DexCool in any car that has a copper/brass radiator or a copper/brass heater core, according to General Motors.

Havoline, the manufacturer of the original DexCool coolant, has stated that the solder in these components is in good working order.

We don’t have any of those, and even if we had, we wouldn’t bother to refill the coolant reservoir until a hose ruptured.’ According to a former General Motors technician with whom I work, the LIM leaks began when GM went from using paper gaskets to utilizing plastic gaskets.

Panacea 04:22 p.m.

That concludes the discussion.

That brings the narrative to a close.

Mike Jung is a professional photographer based in Los Angeles, California.

What should we put in the system once we’ve completed this work and flushed it?

G-05 engine coolant from Zerex.

Because there are certain engine coolants that are similar in color but are of distinct sorts.

Even General Motors will discontinue the use of Dexcool from Texaco/Havoline in the near future.

Thank you so much, everyone.

There are a lot of facts and no views or supposition, which is definitely a positive development.:) I’m gaining a great deal of knowledge.

After another gasket failed and a large amount of coolant leaked, I decided it was time to investigate more.

AMZ erex G-05 engine coolant is a high-performance coolant.

Because there are certain engine coolants that are similar in color but are of distinct sorts.

Even General Motors will discontinue the use of Dexcool from Texaco/Havoline in the near future.

Malaclypse on the 9th of March, 2005, at 02:42 PM Oh, it brings up a good point.

I happened to see one on the property and learned that interesting tidbit.

Cars that seem like they came from another country.

On March 10, 2005, at 10:50 p.m.

Which color is better, green or orange?

The color isn’t crucial because it’s only a dye in it; what is important is the kind.

Engine coolants are available in a variety of colors for different vehicle manufacturers, although they are all of the same type.

What is the reason behind this?

DexCool would no longer be used by General Motors in the future.

Ford (and, it is presumed, Daimler-Chrysler and other Asian automakers) have also discovered that DexCool type coolants are not good for their gaskets.

That General Motors was utilizing DexCool in its Honda 3.5L V6 engines in the Saturn Vues caused some consternation among Honda employees (the company does not like DexCool type engine coolants).

(The G-05 type engine coolant has been in use by Mercedes for well over two decades, making it a tried and true engine coolant.

Daimler-Chrysler is a German automobile manufacturer (but with different colour dyes) Valvoline’s Zerex G-05 engine coolant (vBulletin® v3.7.2, vBulletin® v3.7.3) Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. owns the copyright for the period 2000-2022.

What to expect if someone’s been using non-DexCool coolant

In the 4.3 V6 engines, GM installed Dex, which resulted in several problems with the intake gaskets leaking. I’d never heard of it before, but it’s something I can easily believe. For all practical purposes, the 4.3 is identical to an SBC V8, with the exception of cylinder 56. It makes use of the same paper gaskets and everything else. This product is NOT appropriate for Dex-Cool. A few years ago, I attempted Dex in tiny block; I believe it was a 400, but I’m not sure. It doesn’t actually make a difference.

It didn’t flow out or leak or anything, but over the course of a few months, EVERY ONE of those gaskets developed a patina of pinkish-orange.

that had built up on the edge of each of them.

It didn’t ‘reek,’ per so, but you could always smell it there.

The next time that engine was dismantled, it returned to its original state of green.

It’s always entertaining to learn the facts, isn’t it?

There is also a little quantity of diethylene glycol in it as well.

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