DexCool -vs- Extended Life Universal

[93CutlassSupreme]

What are the differences between these?

[1990lumina]

Probably their chemical make up is still different - extended life stuff I'm assuming just has more addictives in it so it'll last longer.

[BIGBULS]

The primary anit-corrosion additive in Dexcool is that OAT (Organic Acid something or other) stuff.

 

All conventional coolants (and at least TWO of the "universal" coolants that I've seen) have silicates in their additive package. GM says (and my personal experience backs this up) that these silicates are NOT compatible with many of the seals in newer GM's..............usually the water pump internals being the weakest link.

 

This is why I have seen multiple water pump failures on cars that switch to conventional or a Dex/Conventional mix...............usually 12-24 months after the wrong coolant goes in.

 

I should note, that Mopar 5 year antifreeze (orange just like Dexcool) has a mix of OAT stuff AND silicates.........it works awesome in Dodges, but due to the silicate content, *I* wouldn't run it in a GM.

[hotrodolds]

I wonder if the Wal-Mart branded univeral coolant does. That's what I used in my Olds when I did the flush.

 

[93CutlassSupreme]

The primary anit-corrosion additive in Dexcool is that OAT (Organic Acid something or other) stuff.

 

All conventional coolants (and at least TWO of the "universal" coolants that I've seen) have silicates in their additive package. GM says (and my personal experience backs this up) that these silicates are NOT compatible with many of the seals in newer GM's..............usually the water pump internals being the weakest link.

 

This is why I have seen multiple water pump failures on cars that switch to conventional or a Dex/Conventional mix...............usually 12-24 months after the wrong coolant goes in.

 

I should note, that Mopar 5 year antifreeze (orange just like Dexcool) has a mix of OAT stuff AND silicates.........it works awesome in Dodges, but due to the silicate content, *I* wouldn't run it in a GM.

 

 

 

Thank you, but conventional coolant is retarded. Any more info on specifically extended life universal?

[BIGBULS]

First...........I'm going to be annoying and NOT directly answer your question (because I'm at work and the day is going slow).

 

On the back of a gallon of Dexcool:

 

"Contains (active ingrediants in other words): Ethylene Glycol, Diethylene Glycol, Ethylhexanoic Acid and Potassium Hydroxide."

 

 

On the back of a gallon of Mopar 5 year Coolant:

 

"Contains: Ethylene Glycol, Diethylene Glycol, Water, Sodium Tetraborate, Sodium Benzoate, Corrosion inhibitors, defoamers, silicates and dyes."

 

I have also read elsewhere in Mopar literature that their 5 year stuff ALSO has the OAT stuff that Dexcool does as well.

 

 

 

 

Now..............I'll do a little research and see what the Prestone "Universal" crap has in it.

[rockfangd]

well i havent heard switching from dexcool to conventional is bad but mixing the 2 is bad, and also when dexcool starts to break down it goes fast

[Schurkey]

conventional coolant is retarded.

Care to back that up with some actual facts?

[BIGBULS]

If you want to read more about Dex-cool check out Cool Profits Magazine.

http://www.imcool.com/

 

 

 

That picture you show has absolutely NOTHING to do with the coolant used, and if you believe that website, you are a retard (edit: maybe not a retard, but perhaps you need to do more independent research ).

 

 

 

What has happened in your pic, is that the shitty lower intake gaskets on that 4.3L pictured in the background have leaked coolant (likely INTO the engine), and then the idiot who owns the vehicle kept driving it..............this leaves a LARGE air pocket at the top of the radiator, and corrosion starts VERY quickly.......this rust buildup then gets circulated into the heater core as well.

 

Said vehicle will require an acid flush (possibly even a radiator), and then a full coolant exchange, along with a heater core flush or replacement.

 

And THEN, it might be a good idea to replace those leaky intake gaskets that started the whole thing.

 

 

 

 

Either way, it's the shitty gaskets and Dexcool has fuck-all to do with the problem.

[93CutlassSupreme]

conventional coolant is retarded.

Care to back that up with some actual facts?

 

What's good about it? It's no worse then Dex-Cool in regards to gaskets, and it barely lasts 2 years. IMO conventional coolant should be flushed each year.

[BIGBULS]

This article is a little generic, but unbiased and informative.............a good read.

 

http://www.aa1car.com/library/2004/us120426.htm

 

I'll see what else I can find about universal coolants (Prestone doesn't have shit on their website).

[BIGBULS]

Here's another interesting read that deals with coolant compatibility with Fords:

 

http://zx2racing.com/pages/articles/coolantFAQ.htm

 

I DO know that Ford uses 3 seperate coolant types, and that they are NOT compatible with each OTHER...............so you ask me.........how can one coolant be compatible with ALL of them????

 

 

[93CutlassSupreme]

Here's another interesting read that deals with coolant compatibility with Fords:

 

http://zx2racing.com/pages/articles/coolantFAQ.htm

 

I DO know that Ford uses 3 seperate coolant types, and that they are NOT compatible with each OTHER...............so you ask me.........how can one coolant be compatible with ALL of them????

 

 

 

 

Magic?

 

 

Thanks for the links.

[BIGBULS]

Ooooh.......I found a GOOD one.

 

I LIKE this article: http://www.geocities.com/dtmcbride/home_garden/auto/antifreeze.html

 

THIS one is almost worth being a sticky

 

I suggest reading all the way through this one.............and then make some of your own conclusions.

 

 

 

 

Either way, *I* will continue to use green coolant in my old 91 GP, but I will ALSO be still recomending Dexcool in any 96+ GM.

 

Just be sure to keep on top of any leaks due to shitty gaskets

[Schurkey]

conventional coolant is retarded.

Care to back that up with some actual facts?

 

What's good about it? It's no worse then Dex-Cool in regards to gaskets, and it barely lasts 2 years. IMO conventional coolant should be flushed each year.

You read too much advertising. I've run the "retarded" stuff for 5+ years and in multiple vehicles--and--no overheating, no visible corrosion, just plain NO PROBLEMS.

 

My '92 Lumina Euro 3.4 (which I bought 6 months/6000 miles from new--November '92) has had coolant flushes twice in fifteen years, the first time with conventional "2-year" coolant; and again last year with the "5-year" extended life stuff. It did get some fresh stuff in-between flushes; at intake gasket replacement and later at thermostat replacement. That was mere top-off, not an extensive drain-and-replace. At this point--it runs like a champ, doesn't overheat even thought the bottom of the radiator has been pummeled with road grit so the fins are all folded over, and it doesn't lose coolant. The heater will roast you out of the car.

[93CutlassSupreme]

Some have good experiences, some bad.

 

 

I had a '87 Thunderbird, which used green coolant. I could not flush the rust out of the system, no matter how hard I tried. I let the engine run with a garden hose running into the lower radiator hose for damn near 2 hours, and brown water still came out. The car had a newer radiator and heater core too. The head gaskets failed on this car too.

 

 

My father's '95 Aerostar had constant overheating problems too, regardless of the 2 year coolant changes that car received.