LIM: replace w DexCool or green stuff?

[74editrix]

So my car (2003 Grand AM GT V6, 49000miles) has run into the DexCool problem. Mechanic is going to replace the gaskets and flush the system -- and yes, I will be filing a claim with the class action lawsuit.

QUESTION: My GM mechanic (not a dealer, but used to work for them) recommends completely flushing and replacing the DexCool with the regular "green" antifreeze rated up to 50K miles. He says that while the replacement gaskets supposedly don't degrade as quickly with the DexCool, they do still degrade. The green stuff doesn't do it. He says that's what he's done to his car and others' and the green stuff is fine.

Do others here agree with his advice? Or do I have to stick with the DexCool, even though it seems like it will just cause this damage again with the replacement gaskets?

[bdlitzne]

I went green on my 2000. If you do, just be sure to label the cap (thats where I would do it) that to use regular green antifreeze only. You don't want to mix dexcool in with it. Realize that you will have to change antifreeze more often.

Bern

So my car (2003 Grand AM GT V6, 49000miles) has run into the DexCool problem. Mechanic is going to replace the gaskets and flush the system -- and yes, I will be filing a claim with the class action lawsuit.

QUESTION: My GM mechanic (not a dealer, but used to work for them) recommends completely flushing and replacing the DexCool with the regular "green" antifreeze rated up to 50K miles. He says that while the replacement gaskets supposedly don't degrade as quickly with the DexCool, they do still degrade. The green stuff doesn't do it. He says that's what he's done to his car and others' and the green stuff is fine.

Do others here agree with his advice? Or do I have to stick with the DexCool, even though it seems like it will just cause this damage again with the replacement gaskets?

[Saved04GT]

Why not use the yellow long life stuff?

[OneFstGt]

yellow might work?

[Silversmok3]

So my car (2003 Grand AM GT V6, 49000miles) has run into the DexCool problem. Mechanic is going to replace the gaskets and flush the system -- and yes, I will be filing a claim with the class action lawsuit.

QUESTION: My GM mechanic (not a dealer, but used to work for them) recommends completely flushing and replacing the DexCool with the regular "green" antifreeze rated up to 50K miles. He says that while the replacement gaskets supposedly don't degrade as quickly with the DexCool, they do still degrade. The green stuff doesn't do it. He says that's what he's done to his car and others' and the green stuff is fine.

Do others here agree with his advice? Or do I have to stick with the DexCool, even though it seems like it will just cause this damage again with the replacement gaskets?
From what I understand ,it doesn't matter. The LIM gaskets failed due to weak OEM design, not because of whether Dexcool or green coolant was used.

As long as the old LIM gasket is replaced with the redesigned FELPRO gaskets, you should be set. Regardless of coolant type used.

[rixGAphx]

There is no need to use 'long-life' antifreeze in a car, by whose cheap nature, will bust something and leave the antifreeze on the highway every 3-yrs/45k miles anyway.

Use 'Sierra', the enviro-friendly antifreeze that doesn't kill dogs that lap-up the sweet, toxic 'conventional' and 'long-life' antifreezes from the gutter.

[RazorDX]

I went green on my 2000. If you do, just be sure to label the cap (thats where I would do it) that to use regular green antifreeze only. You don't want to mix dexcool in with it. Realize that you will have to change antifreeze more often.

Bern
Most newer antifreeze is compatible with both the old school green stuff and Dexcool.

[Ralph]

Most newer antifreeze is compatible with both the old school green stuff and Dexcool.

Isn't that just the yellow stuff?

[gt00]

From what I understand ,it doesn't matter. The LIM gaskets failed due to weak OEM design, not because of whether Dexcool or green coolant was used.Yep , poor gasket design and lack of clamping force ( not enough bolts ) . The narrow angle of the V doesn't help either .... ;)

[poncho 1]

if u use the felpro gaskets WHY not use the dexcool..TM ? we all know oue car's have a shitty cooling system but after the gaskets what els is there ..? my ga has never over heated so in my opinion i'd use what the car ask's for !:O

[pokesmot]

IMHO

Dexcool = garbage
Green Coolant = good

I've worked in a shop for almost 3 years; from what I've seen so far dexcool isn't the greatest stuff to be using.

both fluids will do the exact same thing, only difference is that they have different additives and inhibitors added to them. Dexcool has a tendency to become gummy.

From my point of view:
Kind of like creating a car, and then recommending that you only put mobil1 oil in it...
other oils will work fine, and they each are slightly different but they do the exact same thing.

just my 2 cents from what I've seen and worked on.

[gt00]

IMHO

Dexcool = garbage
Dexcool has a tendency to become gummy.
I've run Dexcool for 8 yrs in my vehicle and never had a problem . It's usually only lack of maintenance that causes issues here , if you run low coolant levels you will have issues ( brown sludge ) , if you don't change the coolant regularly ( won't last 5 yrs :roll2:) you'll have issues .

[arthurgoboom]

I never had any trouble with using Dexcool. I ran 11 years on mine (only 67,000 miles though) without any cooling system service. The water pump seal finally failed. When the coolant came out during the WP change, it looked as clean as the new stuff I put in. I had none of the sludge in the coolant or the reservoir like I see some other members have. Mine had never been run hot or low on coolant.

[Blackhawk]

I just run the yellow stuff, it doesn't seem to gum up as much and it doesn't have the stigma attached to DexCool. I did use half a bottle of DexCool because we had it sitting around and mine is the only car running it here that gets changed at home.

[GMFWDFAN]

I did a coolant flush last year and 11k miles ago and I put DexCool back in. So far everything is fine.

[RazorDX]

Isn't that just the yellow stuff?

The green stuff is compatible with Dexcool or traditional green. I'm sure the old school green stuff is still around, but typically if you look on your bottle of green it says that it will wok in conjunction with either of the two.

Prestone, for example, is still a bright green but it's compatible with dexcool or the regular green.

[74editrix]

As long as the old LIM gasket is replaced with the redesigned FELPRO gaskets, you should be set. Regardless of coolant type used.

Anybody have a part number for the FelPro gaskets? I want to give it to the mechanic so there's no room for error.

Or is FelPro the only option he'll have? (I don't know if there are other brands making these.)

Thanky!

[74editrix]

Prestone, for example, is still a bright green but it's compatible with dexcool or the regular green.

Is that the Prestone Extended Life?

What is the "yellow stuff" exactly?

(Can you tell I really don't want to have this problem again?)

[RazorDX]

Yellow stuff is simply antifreeze that is yellow. I don't know any brands off of the top of my head, but it's typically a universally compatible antifreeze.

I think it's the Prestone Extended Life I was referring to, but I can't say with any degree of certainty.

[gt00]

Anybody have a part number for the FelPro gaskets? I want to give it to the mechanic so there's no room for error.

Or is FelPro the only option he'll have? (I don't know if there are other brands making these.)MS98003T FelPro Gasket kit , GM sells a revised gasket as well .... ;)