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SignUp Now!Yes , its true! Never mix colors!GNICETRY said:Someone had told me not to ever do this. Is this true?
Blown&Injected said:I have two Bonnevilles that have Dex-Cool, one of them has some green, mixes with anything, in it. They both have over 100K miles and no problems.
I find it hard to believe that GM would continue to use something so terribly harmful.
Dex-Cool Class Action
Girard Gibbs is co-lead counsel in a federal Multi-District Litigation class action and numerous state class action lawsuits filed on behalf of owners of General Motors vehicles, which were factory-filled with "Dex-Cool" coolant. The lawsuits allege that Dex-Cool forms a sludge-like substance in these vehicles which clogs cooling systems, causing them to overheat, and that Dex-Cool corrodes all parts of the engine it comes in contact with including the upper and lower intake manifold gaskets. The suits further alleges that Dex-Cool not only does not perform as promised, but also causes premature and costly engine repairs to consumers' vehicles.
If you've experienced similar problems with Dex-Cool, please click here and let us know. http://www.girardgibbs.com/consumercases.asp
99ssconv said:The only problems I've seen with dexcool is when people run it low it does build up a brown dirt like sludge that starts restricting things quick. As long as you keep the system full of coolant all is fine. Mixing the 2 will only create a nasty color, other than that nothing else.
JSAautomotive said:Jbenn911.....
I'm not aware of any clay tablets that GM ever released. I have the Delco tabs that are made from Almond shells. Are you talking about that stuff?? Those were made originally for the Cadillac 4.1's and their leaking head gaskets/water pump o-rings. If they're a clay tablet released by GM, I'm not aware of them.
JSAautomotive said:Well... I've been in the auto repair industry for around 30 years now. And if you know anything about the big corporations, they try to hide these little dirty secrets as much as possible before they have to issue a recall. Because when a recall happens, they lose big.
Take the Mass Air Flow sensors on Fords. HUGE driveability problems with them in the late 90's up until around 2003-04. Did they issue a recall on them?? Nope. When you buy one at the dealership, why do they ask for the old one back to buy a new replacement part?? Usually that's only for rebuilt items. But they do. Guess why? So there's no trail left out in the public for someone to take Ford to court over it. Pretty smart on their part huh??
Usually the stuff that has to do with the NHTSA (National highway traffic and safety administration) gets priority because those complaints usually have to do with safety items (seat belts, brakes, tires, ABS or SIR systems, etc.). So the stuff like coolant issues and corrosion usually flys under their radar. But a simple google search will tell you the same story that any heavy line wrench that worked for GM for the last 10 years will tell you. Dex-Cool is crap. It eats everything in the system. And if you don't flush it to get the Ph levels in check, or have problems with excess voltage in the cooling system (i.e. poor grounds), then you've got a car with one thing after another in the cooling that Dex-cool touches going bad.
One of my customers with a 99 Astro van needed 1st the intakes (common on the 4.3's), then the heater core, then the radiator, then the freeze plugs, then the head gaskets. It's a common story I see everyday after servicing thousands of cars over the years.
Jbenn911.....
I'm not aware of any clay tablets that GM ever released. I have the Delco tabs that are made from Almond shells. Are you talking about that stuff?? Those were made originally for the Cadillac 4.1's and their leaking head gaskets/water pump o-rings. If they're a clay tablet released by GM, I'm not aware of them.
Here's a link to a recent story regarding the class action lawsuit that are out there regarding Dex-Cool. I've had several of my customers get re-imbursed by GM for me to replace their defective cooling system parts. I think it's being handled on a case by case "hush-hush" basis.
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/08/gm_dexcool.html
And the largest class action suit being handled in the country is here.
Blown&Injected said:It would not be the first time an auto mfr got screwed for false reasons - was it the Audi's that had the unintended sudden acceleration problem.
If they lose so big then it is to their advantage to not continue to use something that is so rotten.
JSAautomotive said:I've worked in GM dealerships on and off since 1989 and I'm telling you as a certified GM tech, Dexcool is garbage. Most GM line mechanics will tell you the same thing. I see anywhere from 6-10 different cars a day. This is what I do for a living. As Zeus87gn said..... it's another way for the manufacturers to create something as an advertising gimmick. It's like when BMW said their transmissions didn't require servicing EVER!! Now if you talk to SAE (society of automotive engineers) they'll strongly disagree with BMW's statement. This coolant is no different.
Sure you can monitor the ph levels and see when it becomes acidic or check the voltage in your cooling system, add grounds... etc. But the fact remains..... these lawsuits are being brought by the thousands of claims being made by consumers..... not just a handfull. Most people in the auto service industry know about the problem with this coolant. Why go through all the hassle and just run green glycol based coolant.
Jben911.... I've never seen the GM tabs cause a cooling system failure. It's just powered almond shells like I said. It says so right on the back of the package. If the heater cores failed, I would have to say it's because of excess electrolisys in the coolant system or too low of a ph with the dex-cool. And that is when Dex-cool starts it's distructive path.