Just wondering what you guys think about the DEX-COOL antifreeze and wondering if I should switch to a different kind or not.

From what I've read, under perfect conditions (no leaks or other problems), it works great and lasts 5 years/150,000 miles, but if you ever do have a leak, it can turn acidic and eat up seals/gaskets and cause major problems if air gets into the system.

My car is 20 years old now (1995 3.4L), so I don't want to assume perfect conditions because things wear out on it all the time. I switched over to DEX-COOL in December 2011 after I got another engine due to a blown head gasket. When I picked up the car from the shop, it had DEX-COOL in it, so I just let it be.

Now I think some of my hoses are old and have slow leaks. I have to add a little coolant once or twice every few weeks or so.

SO, should I just replace the bad hoses and get on with my life, or should I switch to a different kind of antifreeze? I've heard good things about yellow antifreeze. What do you guys think?

ALSO, I know you can't just mix different kinds of antifreeze. Would a regular coolant system flush be good enough to clean out the system before switching to a different kind? What is the correct procedure to switch to a different kind?

 

I have used Dex-Cool in my Trans Am since I bought it new in 98. 100k miles now. I have replaced the water pump once and the system went almost dry at that time. No issues with the coolant ever. I do hear of more complaints from V6/3.8L owners, probably because of the wet intake manifold design. By the way Dex-Cool is made by several companies. It is a GM spec/standard, not just a product name.

 

The only problem with Dex-Cool (and any OAT and HOAT antifreeze/coolant for that matter) is that when it's not properly maintained, it becomes acidic and turns into a brown gunk that can and will eventually plug coolant passages and eat seals/gaskets. When it's maintained as recommended, it is fine.

Personally, I run the standard old green ethylene glycol for the simple fact that it's cheap and it is available every where. Though Dex-Cool isn't that hard to find either, just costs a few bucks more.

 

I'm with MK

Peak or Walmart brand and I don't buy the pre-mix. Why pay $1 less for 1/2 gallon of water?

I flush every 2 years or 30k miles in all of my cars

 

flush it out if your changing to the green stuff. do not want to mix the two different kinds. turns to jello. i have always used the green stuff. probably should have changed your head gaskets before installing the newer engine.