hi. my wife has a 1997 buick regal with the 3800. it has the dexcool coolant in the radiator. i havent heard anything good about this stuff yet. should i get rid of it? opinions, please, and thank you, jim
Dump the Dex!! This stuff is junk,there is a class action suit pending.....go the old fashioned way! :Smarty: If you have time to read go here: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/gm_dexcool.html http://www.injuryboard.com/view.cfm/Topic=1095 http://www.cwcd.com/CM/MassTorts/MassTorts5.asp http://www.bigclassaction.com/class_action/dexcool.html
The only time I see problems with Dexcool is when drivers allow the level to drop in the radiator. It develops into a sludge that is hard to flush out. I have it in my 98 Riv. It looked great when I bought the car in July, but I flushed the system and refilled it anyway. I used Dexcool again. I keep a careful eye on the expansion tank for a change in level or leak. There is no way I would leave it unchanged for 5 years. I plan to change it every 2 years. Jim, the N/A 3800 is a great motor. The only problem with them is the plastic intake manifold. The EGR valve is cooled by coolant running through the manifold. If the intake passage clogs, the EGR valve will melt the intake, and coolant will leak into the cylinders, possibly hydrolocking the motor. Nothing to do with Dexcool but keep an eye on the intake gaskets and coolant, and oil levels.(milkshake)
Dexcool I have had very bad experiences with the stuff. From what I can gather - In the southern climates where it is very hot it seems to be worse. I would change mine every year because it turned into rusty looking jello. I know some GM techs and they point to the heat factor. It can ruin your intake, water pump, heater core and radiator. The solution is to change to the green stuff. -Mike 72staged
i replaced the upper intake on a '98 LeSabre with the 3800 today. the motor hydrolocked and broke the starter drive. the motor was ok, they were lucky. i think about every 2 years should be fine. but no way would i leave that stuff in there for 5 years or 150,000 miles like GM suggests.
