OK to use regular Antifreeze / Coolant?

Redog · 04-22-2009, 09:51 AM

Doing the manifold soon.

What to know if it's OK to flush out all that Dexcool crap and run regular, good ol' American, killing the deer that drink the stuff leaking out of the car, green coolant

jackal2000 · 04-22-2009, 09:56 AM

just use the all make/model stuff. you can't go wrong.

CactusWill · 04-22-2009, 10:05 AM

Use whatever you want, just don't mix em.

Nate's Alero · 04-22-2009, 10:54 AM

i used all makes/models.... seems fine for me

meadus101 · 04-22-2009, 11:11 AM

Yea, I'm using the green stuff, My engine is running cooler actually.

guiguilandry · 04-22-2009, 12:25 PM

yeah no problem to run on the green one, I run on it on all my car... I always flush the dex-cool because it is too acid for the engine.... but remember to do a full flush to get rid of all the mud the dex-cool leaves into the rad and water jacket in the engine....

Ryan from Ohio · 04-22-2009, 12:33 PM

I only run the green stuff.

Nate's Alero · 04-22-2009, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guiguilandry

yeah no problem to run on the green one, I run on it on all my car... I always flush the dex-cool because it is too acid for the engine.... but remember to do a full flush to get rid of all the mud the dex-cool leaves into the rad and water jacket in the engine....

i know, im still flushing out the mud in the engine, three flushes later and still muddy

Cliff8928 · 04-22-2009, 01:28 PM

I always run Dex-Cool with no issues yet..

But either way, you can do it. However you just have to change your coolant sooner.

You might also consider G05 coolant. Many other manufacturers use it, it's not as acidic as dex-cool but doesn't have all the silicate of the green stuff.

Redog · 04-22-2009, 07:09 PM

I know about the green stuff and what it leaves behind.

OK I will be doing the switch, along with a new Stainless Steel Upper raditor hose

zzyzzx · 05-19-2009, 12:01 PM

After doing a bunch of reading, I'm pretty much convinced that I should flush out the Dex-Cool and start using the regular stuff. I assume that is what everyone here does eventually?

CactusWill · 05-19-2009, 12:11 PM

I haven't had any problems with it YET, it seems to be only certain dex cool that causes the problems. My dads impala blew up from the limg and dexcool, my moms saturn is caked with dex cool, but when I look in the coolant reservoir of the alero its clean as a whistle while being full of dex cool. Only do the swap if you see the sludge.

whiterider00 · 05-19-2009, 10:20 PM

same here. i have over 170k on my engine, and its got dexcool in it, and it looks brand new. no idea when it was last changed, but there doesnt seem to be anything building up, so if it isnt broken, dont fix it.

Redog · 05-19-2009, 10:56 PM

LIMG gasket change in less than 40,000 miles, I'd call that broken

Gr1m · 05-19-2009, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzyzzx

After doing a bunch of reading, I'm pretty much convinced that I should flush out the Dex-Cool and start using the regular stuff. I assume that is what everyone here does eventually?

yea most people including myself wait for when they are doing the gasket swap and just drain/flush the system and put the new coolant in with the new gaskets.

zzyzzx · 05-20-2009, 08:12 AM

My internet research seems to be indicating that I should switch to regular anti-freeze at some point so, I will. Yes, I probably will wait until I'm doing something else to the car. Someone here said they know of a failure at 8,000 miles, but I have also found people complaining about it at 167,000 miles too (and I have to wonder about that person). If Dex-Cool is so bad, how come it's only a problem on the V6 Alero's? I would think it would be just as bad for the 4 cylinder models as well.

Nate's Alero · 05-20-2009, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzyzzx

My internet research seems to be indicating that I should switch to regular anti-freeze at some point so, I will. Yes, I probably will wait until I'm doing something else to the car. Someone here said they know of a failure at 8,000 miles, but I have also found people complaining about it at 167,000 miles too (and I have to wonder about that person). If Dex-Cool is so bad, how come it's only a problem on the V6 Alero's? I would think it would be just as bad for the 4 cylinder models as well.

you do know, that all coolants eat the orig. gaskets..... they will go no matter what

surreal_awakening · 05-20-2009, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzyzzx

If Dex-Cool is so bad, how come it's only a problem on the V6 Alero's? I would think it would be just as bad for the 4 cylinder models as well.

The problem on the V6 is not the Dex-Cool, it's the gaskets that were used. But for the record, i switched away from the Dex-Cool a long time ago. I'm using the yellow "mix with any type" stuff right now.

Nate's Alero · 05-20-2009, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surreal_awakening

The problem on the V6 is not the Dex-Cool, it's the gaskets that were used. But for the record, i switched away from the Dex-Cool a long time ago. I'm using the yellow "mix with any type" stuff right now.

yellow?? lol im waiting for the rainbow antifreeze

cherrington17 · 05-20-2009, 10:17 AM

yellow is the ford standard. pretty sure its generic stuff. (both of my parents cars came w/ that)

I'm pretty sure when nate said 8k.. he meant 80k. i've never heard of anyone having a dead gasket at 8k miles.