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rad flush plus dexcool

1

1999gpgt

New member
ok guys heres the deal. my 99 gp gt has 78,000 miles on it. the dexcool in it is very dirty so i bought a prestone flush kit,super radiator cleaner, and two gallons of dexcool. i am only using dexcool because its 40 degrees in michigan and dropping and i wont have the money to do a professional flush for a while. so should i use the dexcool for this winter and then next summer do a complete professional flush and then put green in. i got two gallons of prestone dexcool for 15 bucks at autozone. buy one get one free. i just dont have time to do a professional flush rite now because i cant afford it and its already dropping down to like 35 at night. so will i be ok to drive on this antifreeze until summer or will it **** up my engine
 


There's no reason why it would mess up your engine. Half the issue with dex is the person driving the car doesn't maintain it.
 
agreed. If you flush it often or even drain it and refill it usually it is OK. It is when it gets old, gets air in the system, or is mixed with other coolants when it gets corrosive and/or sludgy...if you can just do your own flush. It will take a little bit of time to do it right and about a seven dollar cleaner/flush and then you wont have to worry about it.
 
Any write ups for doing a flush? My car threw a code for the t-stat or low coolant or a sensor. I am going to do all 3 this weekend prolly. I never did a flush though any help?
 
No point in having something in your car thats a PITA and so picky on how its used. Get an all makes and models brand coolant, put it in there and get better cooling and easier to deal with than dexcool. Its a no brainer to me, I personally recommend Peak Global, its good stuff IMO.
 
Stunt0Rider said:
Any write ups for doing a flush? My car threw a code for the t-stat or low coolant or a sensor. I am going to do all 3 this weekend prolly. I never did a flush though any help?
Click to expand...

I second the write up for a flush, i am replacing my tstat due to its broken...also my coolant is a dirty a$$ color also, so i def need to get a flush..i want to do it myself..
 


mvp2765 said:
I second the write up for a flush, i am replacing my tstat due to its broken...also my coolant is a dirty a$$ color also, so i def need to get a flush..i want to do it myself..
Click to expand...

It was really easy. Go get a flush kit and read it. Pretty hard to mess it up.
 
I have never changed out Dex to Brand X before, but from others have written it is hard to get all the Dex out. I personally have never had an issue with Dex. I just add a bit of distilled water every 6 months to keep my level right, its like magic what not running your car run low coolant will do. The owners manual says drinking water, DON’T believe it! Lol
 
Stunt0Rider said:
It was really easy. Go get a flush kit and read it. Pretty hard to mess it up.
Click to expand...

Really don't need the kit. Pull the lower radiator hose off. Drain the coolant. Fill with water, run the car. Pull the hose.. repeat.
Final time you get clean water, run a Prestone Chemical flush. Repeat clensing.
Then drain, attach hoses, fill with 70/30, top off the recovery jug and your done.

The faster you get that DexCool out of that cooling system, the better off you will be.

If you've waited this long, you might be screwed. I'd be replacing your LIM gaskets and upper now while your at it.

Get Prestone All Make All Model - It'll drop your temps by about 5 degrees and works Fine right here in Michigan weather.
Make sure you get the GM Grey metal clad gaskets. If you Use Fel-pro, plan on doing it again.

I've had 3 cars that were majorly screwed up by Dexcool, and been a participant on the Many Class Action Law Suits because of their wonderful Pink crap.

Drill a 1mm hole in the thermostat, if you don't already have a bobber in it so it helps with de-aeration.

If your having to add Distilled water every 6 months... or adding water at all suddenly Id be looking at your lower intake gaskets. That's the first sign. If you haven't done the LIM gaskets, do yourself the favor. Spend the $200 and save your engine before its too late!
 
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trickytransam said:
Really don't need the kit. Pull the lower radiator hose off. Drain the coolant. Fill with water, run the car. Pull the hose.. repeat.
Final time you get clean water, run a Prestone Chemical flush. Repeat clensing.
Then drain, attach hoses, fill with 70/30, top off the recovery jug and your done.

The faster you get that DexCool out of that cooling system, the better off you will be.

If you've waited this long, you might be screwed. I'd be replacing your LIM gaskets and upper now while your at it.

Get Prestone All Make All Model - It'll drop your temps by about 5 degrees and works Fine right here in Michigan weather.
Make sure you get the GM Grey metal clad gaskets. If you Use Fel-pro, plan on doing it again.

I've had 3 cars that were majorly screwed up by Dexcool, and been a participant on the Many Class Action Law Suits because of their wonderful Pink crap.

Drill a 1mm hole in the thermostat, if you don't already have a bobber in it so it helps with de-aeration.

If your having to add Distilled water every 6 months... or adding water at all suddenly Id be looking at your lower intake gaskets. That's the first sign. If you haven't done the LIM gaskets, do yourself the favor. Spend the $200 and save your engine before its too late!
Click to expand...

if you go 70/30 coolant/water then your cooling system's heat capacity will go down but you'll be able to run it in a colder temperature.

If you go the other way, you run the risk of freezing issues depending on how cold it gets where you live.

Standard 50/50 mix is good till -39 degrees C which is more than enough for most places.

Another thing to note, if you run less coolant, your boiling temp goes down.
 


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