FAQ: Dexcool / Coolant / Antifreeze Types

Whats The Best Recommendation.........Or is there only one brand to use?

i use gm dex-cool with a bottle of water wetter addative and a 180* t-stat. works well for me in the FL heat.
dont get the cheap off name stuff and you will be fine. i think i used prestone brand.

Thanks for your reply..........

But I was reading the manual and it said to use a special type that doe'snt burn allumium........and it got me thinking........i did'nt want to get the wrong brand........

How much does Dex-cool cost anyone?

It's the pink stuff, there are a few different brands of Dex-Cool. It's pretty cheap right now, can get at any gas station or auto parts store. If you haven't changed the coolant in a while, consider a flush. Sears does it for about $60 (coolant included).

a non diluted btl of dex runs about $9 at autozone. figre using 2 of them and a bucket to catch the old stuff plus the mess and trouble...$60 aint bad!

8 oz RMI 25 plus water in the summer or non freeze states. When I blew a head gasket into my intake I drove for 25 miles and had no bearing damage or any internal problems. You can also add the RMI to antifreeze.

http://arizonagn.net/how_to.htm

From the factory, I don't think Dexcool came into play until '96. Are you doing a total flush, or just adding some?

Just adding some.........I think I'm going to get a flush this weekend tho!

Dexcool started in '95. If you're just adding some coolant temporarily throw water in there.

Isnt there a big argument on which type of coolant is better, dex cool or the green stuff? I think you can use the green stuff if you flush out all the dex. But IIRC if you mix the two coolants than $h!† gets messed up.

Hello there you fine people!

I'm going to drive bout 500miles tomorrow but our 97 Riv is in desperate need of additional coolant.... Can you please tell me, can I add pure water to this Dexcool without breaking anything?!?

I live in Finland and in small town, so its impossible to aquire Dexcool anyway.

You should be safe adding water, but it should not be tap water, use distilled water from the store. How much are you thinking you'll need to add? Did you overheat?

as a last resort, yeah, May I suggest bringing a couple extra bottles of "DISTILLED" water along with you.

Oh wow, some quick reply!

Well I can add distilled water, but is it mandatory? We drink water which is from faucet, so its clean enough I guess? God damn I kick myself I didnt order Dexcool!

Water works fine as long as it doesn't freeze. Distilled is preferred because it doesn't have metallic particles that can corrode passageways. For a short time, you could get away with clean tap water, imo.

At the race track nearby, in order to race, you must drain all of your coolant and replace with 100% H2O. Good luck on your journey for Dexcool!

Oh yea did I mention I'm not driving 500miles for a Dexcool

I'm driving to Drag Race event and to swim in ocean...But thanks guys for a help!!!

AA wrote:

.........
At the race track nearby, in order to race, you must drain all of your coolant and replace with 100% H2O. Good luck on your journey for Dexcool!

Is that being required for Street Legal events too? What a PITA if it is. For true race cars though, water-only makes complete sense and is very commonly done.

The tap water where I live will rust a hole through Stainless.......Thats why I reccomend distilled.

Will rust stainless, hah!

Is there better alternatives to Dexcool or should I stick with it when it's time to change coolant?

i have 140k Dexcool miles with original radiator, hoses, water pump, and engine. Still running nice and cool!

Dave, the track I'm referring to is a closed road course in northern Ohio, not a drag strip.

arttu80 wrote:

Will rust stainless, hah!

Is there better alternatives to Dexcool or should I stick with it when it's time to change coolant?

no, seriously, the water around here is that bad!!!! A gallon of water looks like a manilla folder. When we first open the hose valve outside after winter, it just pours out rust. we have reverse osmosis for drinking water.

Mine have 230k kilometers which is quite close to 145k miles, so Im concerned cause of -20 F freezing we have here sometimes in winter...

http://kuvablogi.com/nayta/iso/img566109.jpg

You will want to be sure your coolant mix is appropriate before you see freezing temps again. How cold does it get this time of year?

Actually its hot right now, cause its 75F at daytime so coolant isnt so important right now but I mean its December someday and then it must be up to task you know!