So what are the guidelines on maintaining engine coolant? There were class action suits against GM on this issue, and GM reached settlement agreements with some owners beginning in 2008. Overall, numerous cooling system problems have been attributed to the use of this controversial product, although GM firmly stands behind it. Rust builds up in the system, inhibiting coolant flow, which causes overheating. The acid eats away at head gaskets and intake gaskets. Cooling systems that use Dexcool exhibit more acid buildup and rust in the system when the coolant level gets low and oxygen is allowed to enter the system. It's supposed to last 5 years or 150,000 miles, but there have been problems with this coolant. In the 1990s, GM introduced an engine coolant called Dexcool. GM suggests flushing Dexcool for the first time at 150,000 miles. If I have Dexcool in my car, can I leave it in for the life of the car? Head gaskets blow, heads warp, and the engine suffers major damage. The water pump overheats and fails due to a lack of lubricant in the coolant. The coolant stops flowing through the system, clogs up coolant passageways and water jackets, radiators, and heater cores. The coolants chemically react and form a gel rather than a liquid. What exactly happens when these coolants are mixed? To guard against major engine failure, read on. There are some coolants that claim compatibility with Dexcool, but I would rather err conservatively and add what the system is supposed to take rather than gamble. When mixed together they form a gel-like substance that stops coolant flow, and consequently, the engine overheats. The green and orange coolants do not mix. This is one of those questions usually asked after the fact, and usually engine damage has already occurred. Can I mix green coolant with orange coolant? What is coolant?Ĭoolant (sometimes referred to as antifreeze or radiator fluid) is used to regulate your engine temperature and prevent it from overheating. And in mixing any antifreeze with water for a 50/50 mix, the use of distilled water is highly recommended. On GM's own consumer site, the debate regarding its Dexcool antifreeze continues. You'd think they would figure it out in a long-term test environment.Editor's Note: This article was originally posted in 2009. I could see why Ford switched to a Cor-Guard P-OAT/Yellow but I agree, there's way too much switching going around. I replaced that entire bottle (due to the messed up threads) and it sealed perfectly. When I replaced the water pump and checked the rest of the cooling system, it looked fine. I worked on a friend's 03 Grand Am that had its original water pump last 200k+ miles on Dex-Cool and someone messed up the coolant bottle cap so it never sealed properly all those years. The silicates or whatever would always come out of suspension after a few years. I've owned Fords that used the old school green anti-freeze (the stuff you had to change more frequently), and Fords with their Gold (G-05 clone). The other EcoBoost Ford like Taurus SHO, Explorer, Fusion, Fusion Sport etc. The Transit with the brazed heater core was probably the only one I have heard officially via that TSB. I've rarely if ever heard of Dex-Cool/Ford Orange coolant leaks on the 2010-up Fords.
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