Not claiming to be an expert here, just tryin’ to give a heads up to anyone that might be
thinking about using this stuff in their classic truck. This is just the results that I’ve had
with Dex-Cool.
I do agree with your take 100% on going green Jerry and yes, one of the pro’s is that
Dex-Cool is easy on aluminum parts. And though it may not, have been intended for,
but by some executive order, was used in and recommended for all the GM engines
since 1996. Not all parts on all GM vehicles came with aluminum engines, some cast
iron and some plastics are still being used and vehicles are still delivered with the red
juice installed. My 2014 5.3 liter V8 Silverado does have cast aluminum heads and a
cast aluminum block but….with cast-in iron cylinder liners, so there’s still a lot of cast
iron in contact with the Dex-Cool in many parts of the cooling system.
http://prestone.com/enca/products/antifreeze_coolant/product_list In my case, the extended life antifreeze, or OAT (organic acid technology) antifreeze
seems to be where the blame lies for the etching of the cowl paint, the culprit I believe is
from the acid, 2-ethylhexanoate in the compound.
My ’50, 216 truck has not been run low on coolant, has not over heated, does not have
a recovery tank and uses a sealed 4lb cap. It is, however rubber, brass and cast, if
that’s a problem. So far the water pump seal hasn’t started to leak and I don’t have any
plastic gaskets. However I am seeing some clotting even with the low mileage that the
engine has on it, that being, under 10K miles.
So, I will be getting’ out the Prestone flush tools and chems and gonna do some serious
clean up before I put a new stat and green goop back in the new set up.
There are literally hundreds of complaints about the damage that’s been caused in
some vehicles. There have also been class action suits filed against GM which they
have settled, that to me is an admission of some guilt.
Here’s one such just randomly grabbed off the net from a few years back:
http://www.stuevesiegel.com/ssh/res...hed-in-gm/dex-cool-class-action-lawsuit/There are also hundreds of testimonials online from radiator shops all across the
country and ASE certified mechanics as to the problems encountered with Dex-Cool.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL
