My 2002 Cavalier has 82000 miles and I was told today at the shop I had to change my coolant because the acidity level was way too high. First of all doesn't the dexcool (red stuff) last for 150000 miles? I did get it changed and when I checked it after I noticed that it was that green stuff. Did I just get scammed and screwed?
You got screwed it should be the Dexcool or Dexcool compatible stuff and i could be wrong but I don't know any thats green.
Semper Fi SAINT. May you rest in peace.
Okay few problems/ things here.
GM cars take Dex-Cool period. The green stuff is made up of different chemicals.
If you mix Dexcool and regular ehtylane gycol based antifreeze, it will gel up, and cause major problems. Like clogging up and not circulating.
Secondly if a car with Dexcool, is flushed with green coolant, then green coolant must be used from then on. The reason being a special coating was taken off of the cooling systems parts, like passages inside the block, etc, and now 150/5 does not apply, nor can Dexcool be used again.
Finally I wouldnt go by GMs 150k thing. I know many former GM techs, who say at the latest go to 100K, but even 75k is better.
This of course is info second hand from a former GM tech.
- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new
as long as they did a radiator FLUSH and just refilled with green stuff you're ok. just only use green stuff from now on, no more dexcool. not a problem.
if they just drained what was in the radiator, but didn't do a complete flush, and filled with green...you have problems. you need to talk to the shop and find out what the hell they did.
on a side note...this is why you should learn how to do things on your own. i hate having to fix things a shopped screwed up because they didn't know better.
GO PATS!!!
Dexcools lasts 5 YEARS or 250 000KM (150k miles) .
Jacob B wrote:Dexcools lasts 5 YEARS or 250 000KM (150k miles) .
No see it doesnt. GM may say it does as a reason to buy a car, less maintaince. But if you have seen a GM with even 75k, with dex cool, you know it needs to be flushed.
- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new
i flushed mine at 60K. kept getting my low rad. light on so i checked it. level of fluid was good but it looked about as thick as milk. couldn't even hardly see through it.
GO PATS!!!
I am getting mine flushed this month.. I'm at the 5 year deal but not anywhere near the mileage (they quote 250,000 KM and I am at 96,000).. I have read the horror stories of leaving it too long..
