Don't make my mistake

[dwna1a]

Jim I went back into the shop today to look at the block and scope the coolent ports. They were using a high pressure jet looking thing, kinda like a dental tool, with a hot water mixture. Then a suction tube to remove the jelly. We then took a bore scope that my dad left to me and hooked it up to a monitor. While I doubt we got it all we did get a great deal of it out. Once the engine is put back together the plan is to flush the system again. Then in six months and again by the end of the year. This maybe overkill but it might buy me two or four more years.

I was was dumb of me to forget to do this one thing. Dad had us do it every year and at 55 years old, I should have listened to my dad!

Jim also they think that's what happened, someone added glycol. Most likely my daughters boyfriend. Hell I didn't even know about this problem till now.

 

[Woody]

Check first and see if it has Dexcool. Once GM found the had / have a problem with this coolent they stopped using it.

Lastnight I found a TSB on the issue. Dated Jan 2008 advising not to mix coolent but to remove the Dexcool and flush the engine. Then replace with Delco coolent. This is my fault just as much as it is GM's. I should have checked the book for its 100,000 mile service. With it being serviced every 6 months I never thought of the coolent.

After GM dealer screwed up my Silverado I switched to my local shop. They had not seen the TSB but knew GM had been having this issue. They only opened their shop about 4 years ago.

They stepped per up and fixed the truck, but that was a complete rebuild at 110,000 miles. They also said they would do a 40/60 split. They finally saw the light and did the work at no charge. That's another story.

And no dealer I know will advise a owner of the TSB. They will only tell you about the recalls.

GM still uses Dexcool. What does the TSB actually say? Do you have a link?

 

[dwna1a]

Woody I had to play seek and find to find it. Then went to the shop and had him pull it up. It's a pay for use site. It basically said not to mix the two coolent and that mixing caused the coolmax to jell. It was from 2007 I think

 

[thegotoguyr]

It's not new. I've known for years to never mix coolant because it can gel or do other strange things. Completely different compositions in some of the different types. I get mine from the dealer by asking for the right one by specifically asking for that vehicles coolant. Yes it was $24 for a gallon of pink for Dad's escape but not worth the risk to save a few bucks at a box store.
I'm not sure why I had to add coolant on a vehicle with 22k on it so I'm watching it but it seems ok so far.

 

[rondds]

OK, so clear this up for me...If you're engine has DexCool, you're fine, as long as you continue to use DexCool (unless you flush the system of all DexCool before adding yellow stuff.

AND/OR, is DexCool a problem with some engines b/c of gaskets that are not "made for" DexCool applications?

 

[bbwhitejr]

OK, so clear this up for me...If you're engine has DexCool, you're fine, as long as you continue to use DexCool (unless you flush the system of all DexCool before adding yellow stuff.

AND/OR, is DexCool a problem with some engines b/c of gaskets that are not "made for" DexCool applications?

I do not know of a gasket issue with Dexcool. However, if it has Dexcool in it, keep nothing but Dexcool in it. I am on my 3rd truck with Dexcool and my Kohler gen has Dexcool in it. I have never had any issues at all. Every 100k miles, I change the Dexcool and refill with Dexcool. It will make an incredible mess if you top it off or add something else.

Bennett

 

[dwna1a]

Rondds all I can say is what happened to mine.

Someone saw that the car needed more coolent, added some 50/50 and sent my daughter on her way. The DexCool turned to jelly and cracked both heads. Even if they flush the engine I don't think they will be able to remove all the old coolent.

I did see where in the past that there were issues with the gaskets and the coolent but that issue was from the very early days and it was solved by new gasket materials.

Moral of this story! Don't mix Dexcool with anything but Dexcool! And don't trust you daughters boyfriend to know! Hell I didn't!

 

[Steve195]

Always check owners manuals for the proper fluid. It seems like there's no such thing as generic, "one size fits all" fluids anymore. Different manufacturers and different engines all seem to have different requirements.

My Lincoln SUV power steering pump "groaned" a little bit a month or so ago during a really cold snap. I checked the fluid and it was low. I was about to add some generic power steering fluid, but checked my owners manual and learned it uses MerCon transmission fluid in the power steering pump! I would have never guessed that.

 

[estoltz]

Thanks for the heads up, sucks to learn a hard lesson.

Last year we bought a 2014 Cad ATS used CPO with 7,000 miles on it, for the first time ever we bought the extended premium warranty it covers everything till 2023 belts, wipers, oil & filter changes, air & cab filters all electronics & drive train everything bumper to bumper with a Cad loaner car for any service over 2 hours.

I knew the finance person he has a 330 Sundancer he told me to please read all the fine print on the maintenance schedule and make sure to follow it using only a GM certified CPO facility preferably their's. In the fine print it states any work performed by any NON CPO dealer must be pre-authorized by GM or it could void the warranty. If I'm on a trip out of state and there is no CPO dealer they will pay to have it transported to the nearest facility & get us a loaner or rental car.

I've learned to read all the fine print from now on.

Does that include regular maintenance? I thought that type of stuff was made illegal through the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

 

[highslice]

I have no idea if my 8.1 has dexcool or not. It was low a couple years ago and I added about a quart of Prestone "Any color" antifreeze. The bottle says it is compatible with any antifreeze currently in use. I assume I'm safe, it has been a couple years. I have not changed the antifreeze since 2008. I bought a tester in the fall to make sure it was still good and it tested fine. Not sure if I should worry or not, but the horror stories here are concerning.

 

[bbwhitejr]

I have no idea if my 8.1 has dexcool or not. It was low a couple years ago and I added about a quart of Prestone "Any color" antifreeze. The bottle says it is compatible with any antifreeze currently in use. I assume I'm safe, it has been a couple years. I have not changed the antifreeze since 2008. I bought a tester in the fall to make sure it was still good and it tested fine. Not sure if I should worry or not, but the horror stories here are concerning.

Regardless of what the bottle says, only dexcool added to dexcool-it ranges from orange to light red in color. If it has been this long, you are good.

Bennett

 

[sbw1]

I have no idea if my 8.1 has dexcool or not. It was low a couple years ago and I added about a quart of Prestone "Any color" antifreeze. The bottle says it is compatible with any antifreeze currently in use. I assume I'm safe, it has been a couple years. I have not changed the antifreeze since 2008. I bought a tester in the fall to make sure it was still good and it tested fine. Not sure if I should worry or not, but the horror stories here are concerning.

Are you testing ph as well as freeze protection? My Crusader engine manual says ph must also be in the proper range for corrosion control. Mine needs to be changed every 3-4 years based upon the lab results.