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Posted: 8/15/2017 12:22:02 PM EDT
[#1]
Is that the stock upper intake? Did the elbow melt yet?
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Posted: 8/15/2017 12:26:38 PM EDT
[#2]
amazing how somthing as simple as coolant can be such a engineering feat.
I think I am just going to run ELC in everything I own when the time comes. |
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Posted: 8/15/2017 12:32:36 PM EDT
[#3]
LOL, just Google "GM Dexcool lawsuit"
Pretty well known. Every Tech/service writer I know who works on GM stuff agree that as soon as you are out of warranty, get that shit out. |
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Posted: 8/15/2017 12:33:55 PM EDT
[#4]
If you're going to plug your blog here at least buy a membership.
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Posted: 8/15/2017 12:34:58 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
amazing how somthing as simple as coolant can be such a engineering feat. I think I am just going to run ELC in everything I own when the time comes. Coolant for all cast iron engines that lasts 100k? Not so simple. Coolant for engines with cast iron, aluminum, and other alloys? Not so simple. Coolant for engines with cast iron, aluminum, and other alloys that lasts 100k? REALLY not so simple. |
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Posted: 8/15/2017 12:35:16 PM EDT
[#6]
Dex-Cool doesn't last for the life of the vehicle.
Change that shit & you won't have any problems... |
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Posted: 8/15/2017 12:38:01 PM EDT
[#7]
Ask Pontiac Grand Prix folks how DexCool works on the factory intake manifold gaskets....
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Posted: 8/15/2017 12:39:03 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Coolant for all cast iron engines? Simple. Coolant for all cast iron engines that lasts 100k? Not so simple. Coolant for engines with cast iron, aluminum, and other alloys? Not so simple. Coolant for engines with cast iron, aluminum, and other alloys that lasts 100k? REALLY not so simple. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
amazing how somthing as simple as coolant can be such a engineering feat. I think I am just going to run ELC in everything I own when the time comes. Coolant for all cast iron engines that lasts 100k? Not so simple. Coolant for engines with cast iron, aluminum, and other alloys? Not so simple. Coolant for engines with cast iron, aluminum, and other alloys that lasts 100k? REALLY not so simple. |
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Posted: 8/15/2017 12:45:22 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
You say that like ELC hasn't existed for like the past 20 years. |
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Posted: 8/15/2017 1:02:17 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Not at all. But the chemistry that goes into ELC's is pretty advanced. Hence the "Not so simple" and "Really not so simple" comments. Not "So difficult that GM can be excused for screwing it up" advanced. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
You say that like ELC hasn't existed for like the past 20 years. It's obvious that GM used dex-cool to save money. Hence forth, why I don't trust anything a auto manufacturer tells me when it comes to fluids and service intervals. I trust but verify. |
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Posted: 8/15/2017 1:05:58 PM EDT
[#11]
I thought the majority of dexcool issues came from customers unknowingly mixing regular antifreeze with Dexcool? You can't mix oat/hoat with conventional antifreeze.
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Posted: 8/15/2017 1:08:59 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I thought the majority of dexcool issues came from customers unknowingly mixing regular antifreeze with Dexcool? You can't mix oat/hoat with conventional antifreeze. |
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Posted: 8/15/2017 1:11:11 PM EDT
[#13]
Don't like HOAT, either. The long life, "mix with anything" stuff is my go-to coolant. Usually walmart brand, mix with distilled water.
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Posted: 8/15/2017 1:12:17 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Also if you don't change it for 228k miles. |
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Posted: 8/15/2017 1:37:46 PM EDT
[#15]
3800 series motors are notorious for this. Has something to downtown how the gaskets seal etc and it's reaction to air/dec-cool.
Sealed engines do not have this issue. |
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Posted: 8/15/2017 2:05:24 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Coolant for all cast iron engines? Simple. Coolant for all cast iron engines that lasts 100k? Not so simple. Coolant for engines with cast iron, aluminum, and other alloys? Not so simple. Coolant for engines with cast iron, aluminum, and other alloys that lasts 100k? REALLY not so simple. 
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Posted: 8/15/2017 2:11:47 PM EDT
[#17]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Dex-Cool doesn't last for the life of the vehicle. Change that shit & you won't have any problems... |
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Posted: 8/15/2017 2:23:25 PM EDT
[#18]
I use CAT ELC in my cars and trucks and have zero (0) issues.
i do a flush of the system that takes some time but then switch it over to the CAT stuff its safe for aluminum and so far hasn't wrecked any gaskets in a 3800 engine in a buick, a ecoboost in a ford or a 4.6 in a grand marquis just need to make sure you clan and flush all the old stuff out first |
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Posted: 8/15/2017 2:56:16 PM EDT
[#19]
I have an 18 year old vehicle, aluminum block engine that has had nothing but Dex-Cool. No issues.
The coolant was changed once when the water pump was changed and again years later when the radiator was changed. |
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Posted: 8/15/2017 2:58:21 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I use CAT ELC in my cars and trucks and have zero (0) issues. i do a flush of the system that takes some time but then switch it over to the CAT stuff its safe for aluminum and so far hasn't wrecked any gaskets in a 3800 engine in a buick, a ecoboost in a ford or a 4.6 in a grand marquis just need to make sure you clan and flush all the old stuff out first |
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Posted: 8/15/2017 3:00:51 PM EDT
[#21]
So, I have a couple older GM vehicles, '95,96. What coolent should I use?
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Posted: 8/15/2017 3:09:22 PM EDT
[#22]
So the coolant in his Pontiac want changed in 200k+ miles and he is blaming the coolant?
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Posted: 8/15/2017 3:10:47 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
You forgot to include rubber, plastic, silicone, and the other materials that make up gaskets, hoses, and radiators. Copper (radiators) and cast iron play pretty well, galvanically speaking. Adding aluminum into the mix causes problems. NOT insurmountable problems, but when management tells engineering "2000#, $2000,"* Engineering says "OK." 
*Yes, I know that was Iacocca with the Pinto - same logic applies. |
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Posted: 8/15/2017 3:13:08 PM EDT
[#24]
When I worked in a large fleet shop the best changes we made were changing to Shell ELC . The red stuff . The next big improvement was synthetic transmission fluid. Both showed real improvements.
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Posted: 8/15/2017 3:15:04 PM EDT
[#25]
I'm going to have to call bullshit on the idea that Dex cool is bad. I've maintained a fleet of nearly 20 GM vehicles over the past 25 years and all of them had dex cool and we had minimal problems with it. My 20-year-old GMC Sierra is still on its original radiator and looks spotless inside. The problems are people run it far too long and it goes bad. You need to flush it every few years and do not mix it with other forms of coolant. If you do the above you won't have any problems ever.
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Posted: 8/15/2017 3:18:50 PM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
So, I have a couple older GM vehicles, '95,96. What coolent should I use? |
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Posted: 8/15/2017 3:19:03 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The way the diesel guys do it, is they get a shit load of gallons of distilled water from walmart and flush the system with that then put in the ELC. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I use CAT ELC in my cars and trucks and have zero (0) issues. i do a flush of the system that takes some time but then switch it over to the CAT stuff its safe for aluminum and so far hasn't wrecked any gaskets in a 3800 engine in a buick, a ecoboost in a ford or a 4.6 in a grand marquis just need to make sure you clan and flush all the old stuff out first |
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Posted: 8/15/2017 3:19:29 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Dex-Cool doesn't last for the life of the vehicle. Change that shit & you won't have any problems... |
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Posted: 8/15/2017 3:22:22 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
amazing how somthing as simple as coolant can be such a engineering feat. I think I am just going to run ELC in everything I own when the time comes. |
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Posted: 8/15/2017 3:22:40 PM EDT
[#30]
My 2006 Pontiac Solstice requires Dex-Cool.
It kept tearing up the o-ring in the thermostat (had to replace it every year) until GM finally re-designed a new thermostat for it. I don't know if was the Dex-Cool that was causing the o-ring to deteriorate or if it was just a bad diaphragm design - whatever it was the new thermostat design hasn't failed in three years now.  Attached File |
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Posted: 8/15/2017 3:26:18 PM EDT
[#31]
People actually try to run coolant for 100k or more miles?
After living in Arizona for a few years and having way too many cooling issues I decided that every 3 years (about 35k miles for me) the coolant gets flushed and replaced and all hoses and belts get replaced. Every 6 years I replace the water pump and thermostat when I'm doing belts and hoses. I haven't had a cooling or overheating problem since starting that. Having overheating issues when it's 110 out sucks donkey balls. |
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Posted: 8/15/2017 4:14:26 PM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
what is ELC? Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
amazing how somthing as simple as coolant can be such a engineering feat. I think I am just going to run ELC in everything I own when the time comes. CAT makes one that is popular so does SHELL, but any coolant that says ELC, should be good to go. |
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Posted: 8/15/2017 4:27:52 PM EDT
[#33]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Coolant for all cast iron engines? Simple. Coolant for all cast iron engines that lasts 100k? Not so simple. Coolant for engines with cast iron, aluminum, and other alloys? Not so simple. Coolant for engines with cast iron, aluminum, and other alloys that lasts 100k? REALLY not so simple. |
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Posted: 8/15/2017 4:34:21 PM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
all starts with maintenance...something most people never do. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Coolant for all cast iron engines? Simple. Coolant for all cast iron engines that lasts 100k? Not so simple. Coolant for engines with cast iron, aluminum, and other alloys? Not so simple. Coolant for engines with cast iron, aluminum, and other alloys that lasts 100k? REALLY not so simple. 
people think cars are like blenders or toasters, should just work forever as long as you plug it in (or put gas into it). |
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Posted: 8/15/2017 4:36:46 PM EDT
[#35]
Toyota super long life coolant for the win!!!!!
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Posted: 8/15/2017 4:38:29 PM EDT
[#36]
Ive worked on a few cars with dex-cool and hate the stuff. 4 were monte carlo SS's. (2x for the g/f, 1x friend and 1x mom). all of them eventually had cooling issues (around 120k-130k miles). usually the water pump went first and thats when i would notice the sludge. i would also change out those pos intake elbows with metal ones, because if i didnt, they would go next. id also clean out as much as i could and replace with the reg green stuff.
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Posted: 8/15/2017 4:39:32 PM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Ive worked on a few cars with dex-cool and hate the stuff. 4 were monte carlo SS's. (2x for the g/f, 1x friend and 1x mom). all of them eventually had cooling issues (around 120k-130k miles). usually the water pump went first and thats when i would notice the sludge. i would also change out those pos intake elbows with metal ones, because if i didnt, they would go next. id also clean out as much as i could and replace with the reg green stuff. |
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Posted: 8/15/2017 4:47:46 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Found the problem Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Ive worked on a few cars with dex-cool and hate the stuff. 4 were monte carlo SS's. (2x for the g/f, 1x friend and 1x mom). all of them eventually had cooling issues (around 120k-130k miles). usually the water pump went first and thats when i would notice the sludge. i would also change out those pos intake elbows with metal ones, because if i didnt, they would go next. id also clean out as much as i could and replace with the reg green stuff. |
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Posted: 8/15/2017 4:55:12 PM EDT
[#39]
That is one of many circa 1997 fuck face lying GM dirty little secrets where they fucked their customers.
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Posted: 8/15/2017 4:58:54 PM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Ask Pontiac Grand Prix folks how DexCool works on the factory intake manifold gaskets.... |
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Posted: 8/15/2017 5:01:15 PM EDT
[#41]
You have to change it, not as often as plain old antifreeze. I'd go five years max. Drain all the old out, find the lowest point and drain it close to that as possible. Refill with new. You really aren't going to flush much out. Sludge and corrosion is in there to stay once it's in there. Prevention is the only way and replacement is the only prevention.
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Posted: 8/15/2017 5:05:01 PM EDT
[#42]
I am under the impression that many photos of "plugged" passages is actually the result of leak stop additives (a hail Mary) rather than coolant, even old coolant.
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Posted: 8/16/2017 9:19:56 AM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
It stands for extended life coolant. It's a very well chemically engineered coolant that keeps all the metals from oxidizing and keeps them all playing nice while doing a fine job and lowering the freezing point of the water and keeping the cooling system doing it's job. CAT makes one that is popular so does SHELL, but any coolant that says ELC, should be good to go. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
amazing how somthing as simple as coolant can be such a engineering feat. I think I am just going to run ELC in everything I own when the time comes. CAT makes one that is popular so does SHELL, but any coolant that says ELC, should be good to go. |
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Posted: 8/16/2017 9:36:34 AM EDT
[#44]
If people would change their power steering fluid and coolant every 3 years or 30,000 miles they would never have any issues. And "changing coolant" means two flushed with a hot cycle each with distilled water. Everything comes out.
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Posted: 8/16/2017 9:52:20 AM EDT
[#45]
I had a beautiful white and gold '00 S-10 Blazer 4.3 at the highest Trailblazer trim level. No heat, did coolant flush with heat on, no heat afterwards. I hooked the garden hose up and blasted out the heater core. It blew a half pound of what looked like coffee grinds all over the engine and me. What a nasty mess, but I had heat afterwards.
How the hell does a coolant turn into what looks like coffee grinds? |
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Posted: 8/16/2017 9:57:02 AM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
People actually try to run coolant for 100k or more miles? After living in Arizona for a few years and having way too many cooling issues I decided that every 3 years (about 35k miles for me) the coolant gets flushed and replaced and all hoses and belts get replaced. Every 6 years I replace the water pump and thermostat when I'm doing belts and hoses. I haven't had a cooling or overheating problem since starting that. Having overheating issues when it's 110 out sucks donkey balls. And I have had overheating at 110 degrees, and it DOES suck donkey balls.
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Posted: 8/16/2017 10:02:05 AM EDT
[#47]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
If people would change their power steering fluid and coolant every 3 years or 30,000 miles they would never have any issues. And "changing coolant" means two flushed with a hot cycle each with distilled water. Everything comes out. Thanks |
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Posted: 8/16/2017 10:08:18 AM EDT
[#48]
Too many presumptions in that blog.
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Posted: 8/16/2017 10:24:04 AM EDT
[#49]
Here's a knowledge bomb for you guys. There are only two different types of organic acid technology. One is from Chevron, the other is from old world.
Boom. It's not the coolants fault. It's the inclusion of all kinds of weird system components materials. GM doesn't make dexcool. Chevron does. I've seen at least 10 bush-era 6 L GM trucks that have been on with Dexcool its entire life and never changed that disagree with this blogger. One of them just clicked over 300,000 miles. The real question is is did the system ever get ran low? That's what creates more of the mud than anything. Systems Get Low over time, and then once refilled all the rust and corrosion that is in the upper part of the system washes out and gets deposited everywhere else. I know facts and all. Ain't nobody got time for dat. I run delo ELC in everything. It's good shit shit. Pro tip. By 50/50 pre-mix. Cost is identical, and you have no local water mineral and trash getting into your system issues. |
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Posted: 8/16/2017 10:27:47 AM EDT
[#50]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I'm going to have to call bullshit on the idea that Dex cool is bad. I've maintained a fleet of nearly 20 GM vehicles over the past 25 years and all of them had dex cool and we had minimal problems with it. My 20-year-old GMC Sierra is still on its original radiator and looks spotless inside. The problems are people run it far too long and it goes bad. You need to flush it every few years and do not mix it with other forms of coolant. If you do the above you won't have any problems ever. |
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