Over 3,000 views and 25 replies from 19 participants have made the discussion about Dex Cool very popular. This coolant was introduced in the 1990s by GM as a new type of engine coolant. It was meant to last for 5 years or 150,000 miles, unlike traditional coolants.
But, Dex Cool has faced many problems. These issues led to class action lawsuits and even affected GM’s bankruptcy in 2009.
Key Takeaways
- Dex Cool is an engine coolant introduced by GM in the 1990s as an alternative to traditional green ethylene glycol-based coolants.
- Dex Cool was supposed to last 5 years or 150,000 miles, but there have been numerous problems associated with this controversial product.
- Cooling systems that use Dex Cool exhibit more acid buildup and rust, leading to issues like head gasket failure and overheating.
- GM stands behind Dex Cool, but there have been class action lawsuits and settlements with customers due to the problems experienced.
- Many manufacturers have since reformulated their Dex-Cool-based coolants using ethylene glycol and proprietary additives.
What is Dex Cool?
Dex Cool: GM’s Controversial Coolant
Dex Cool was introduced by General Motors (GM) in the 1990s as a new engine coolant. It’s an organic acid technology (OAT) coolant meant to last 5 years or 150,000 miles. But, it has faced criticism from car owners due to acid buildup, rust, and issues with head gaskets and other parts.
The Zerex Dex-Cool Antifreeze/Coolant is a top choice for car owners. It’s approved for many car brands and protects against corrosion, leaks, and freezing. This coolant doesn’t have silicates, phosphates, amines, borates, nitrates, or nitrites.
Coolant Feature |
Benefit |
Pre-mixed orange formula |
Ready-to-use in a 50/50 ratio with deionized water |
Freeze protection |
Down to -34°F |
Anti-boil performance |
Up to 265°F |
Despite its benefits, Dex Cool has caused problems for many car owners. It’s important to know the pros and cons to keep your car’s engine running well.
“OAT coolants are known to eat plastic water pump impellers and intake gaskets, so caution is advised when using them in certain engine types.”
Coolant Basics: Understanding Antifreeze
To keep your vehicle running smoothly, it’s key to know about coolant, also known as antifreeze. This vital fluid keeps your car’s engine cool and stops it from overheating.
Coolant is a mix of antifreeze and water, usually 50/50. The antifreeze part stops the coolant from freezing in the cold. It also has corrosion inhibitors to protect the cooling system parts. As it moves through the engine, it takes heat away and sends it to the radiator to cool down.
There are different types of antifreeze, each with its own set of properties and when you should replace it. Traditional coolants should be changed every 2 years or after driving 25,000-30,000 miles. OAT (Organic Acid Technology) coolants, like Dex-Cool, last a bit longer and need replacing every 3-5 years. HOAT (Hybrid Organic Acid Technology) coolants can go up to 5 years before needing a change.
Coolant Type |
Recommended Replacement Interval |
Traditional Green Coolant |
2 years or 25,000-30,000 miles |
OAT (Dex-Cool) Coolant |
3-5 years |
HOAT Coolant |
5 years |
Looking after your car’s cooling system is key to its long life and good performance. Always follow the maker’s advice on when to change the coolant and use the right type for your car.
“Completely flush and refill the cooling system every two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first, to avoid problems associated with Dexcool or any other coolant product.”
Knowing the basics of what is coolant and what is antifreeze helps keep your car’s cooling system working right. This protects your engine from getting too hot and makes it last longer.
Mixing Green and Orange Coolants: A Bad Idea
Remember, never mix green ethylene glycol-based coolants with orange Dex Cool or other organic acid technology (OAT) coolants. This simple mistake can harm your engine badly.
The Gel-Like Substance Formation
When you mix these coolants, they react and create a thick, gel-like substance. This can block your cooling system. It leads to overheating, water pump failure, and serious engine damage. Avoid this mix at all costs.
A recent topic on an automotive forum got over 9,000 views. It was about the dangers of mixing green and orange coolants. Seven people shared their stories and tips, stressing the need for separate cooling systems for different coolants.
If you’ve mixed coolants by mistake, flush the system right away and refill it with the right coolant. Waiting too long can cause a gel-like substance that damages your engine’s parts.
Always use distilled water when mixing coolants to avoid more chemical reactions. This keeps your cooling system safe and protects your engine.
Coolant Type |
Compatibility |
Longevity |
Dex Cool (OAT) |
Incompatible with green ethylene glycol-based coolants |
Up to 5 years or 150,000 miles |
Prestone All Vehicles (IAT) |
Compatible with all coolants |
Up to 15 years or 350,000 miles |
It’s key to follow the maker’s advice and use the right coolant for your car. Mixing wrong coolants can cause big problems. So, always choose the correct fluids to keep your cooling system safe.
What Happens When Dex Cool Fails?
When Dex Cool, General Motors’ coolant, fails, it causes problems in your car’s cooling system. These problems include increased acidity and corrosion, which can damage important parts like head gaskets and the aluminum radiator.
Tester 5 found that Dex Cool can become acidic if air gets into the cooling system. This can lead to head gasket failures. Some car owners flush out Dex Cool as soon as the warranty ends, as Tester 11 mentioned.
GM said Dex Cool could last up to 5 years or 150,000 miles without needing service. But some car owners ignore checking their coolant levels, leading to Dex Cool-related problems. This has caused engine damages and lawsuits in California.
Forum users have shared stories of Dex Cool causing leaks and gasket failures. Some wonder if switching to green coolant is better. Different coolants, like orange Prestone and universal yellow, have had mixed results for users.
Proper maintenance and regular checks are key to avoid Dex Cool problems. Docnick 9 notes that Dex Cool’s situation is similar to GM’s past issues with whale oil in transmission fluids. This shows the challenges in introducing new coolant technologies.
Maintaining Engine Coolant
Keeping your engine coolant in top shape is key, whether you use Zerex Dex-Cool Antifreeze/Coolant or traditional green coolant. Always check the coolant level and its condition when you change your oil. You should also flush and refill the system every 2 years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. This keeps the coolant working right and stops problems like rust, scale buildup, and losing lubricity.
Regular Inspections and Flushes
Checking for signs of contamination, like a rusty or milky look, is important. It helps spot issues early. By keeping up with coolant care, you can make your engine last longer and avoid expensive repairs later. Remember, the coolant’s color doesn’t tell you how well it’s working. Look at its overall condition instead.
Maintenance Task |
Recommended Interval |
Coolant Level and Condition Check |
Every Oil Change |
Coolant Flush and Refill |
Every 2 Years or 25,000 Miles |
“Coolant should be checked at least twice a year, before the summer heat and winter cold according to the product description.”
By doing these simple maintenance steps, you can how to maintain engine coolant. This ensures your cooling system works well and tells you when to flush coolant. It also helps prevent signs of coolant degradation.
Signs of Coolant Degradation
As your vehicle gets older, watch the condition of your engine coolant closely. Dex Cool, GM’s coolant, is made to last up to 5 years or 150,000 miles. But, early models had problems with gaskets, pumps, and radiators, especially in extreme weather. This made the coolant degrade faster.
A rusty color in your coolant means the rust inhibitors have broken down. This leaves your cooling system open to scale and rust. A milky look also means there’s oil or transmission fluid in the system, which is a big problem that needs quick action.
If the coolant doesn’t feel smooth anymore, it has lost its lubricity and protective qualities. Watch for any strange smells or looks that suggest it’s time for a coolant flush and replacement.
Ignoring coolant degradation signs can cause expensive engine repairs later. Regular checks and coolant flushes keep your cooling system healthy. This ensures your engine runs well.
Symptom |
Indication |
Rusty Color |
Rust inhibitors have broken down, leading to scale and rust buildup |
Milky Appearance |
Presence of oil or transmission fluid in the cooling system |
Loss of Lubricity |
Coolant has lost its protective properties |
Unusual Smells |
Coolant degradation and potential need for flushing and replacement |
By keeping an eye on coolant degradation signs, you can keep your vehicle’s cooling system running well. Regular maintenance helps avoid expensive repairs and keeps your car running smoothly for a long time.
what is dex cool
Dex Cool is a coolant made by General Motors (GM) in the 1990s. It’s an organic acid technology (OAT) designed to last up to 5 years or 150,000 miles. This is much longer than the usual 2-year life of old coolants.
Dex-Cool keeps its strength well after 150,000 miles in cars. A mix of 1 part Dex-Cool to 1 part water is best for all-year protection against freezing, boiling, and corrosion. Don’t use more than 67 percent or less than 50 percent Dex-Cool in the mix.
To check if antifreeze is good, use a multimeter. Good antifreeze shows readings of 0.2 V to 0.5 V. Bad readings are 0.5 V to 0.7 V or more. Mixing Dex-Cool with distilled water helps parts last longer and protects against corrosion. Distilled water is about 59¢ a gallon.
Groups like ASTM set standards for coolant quality and properties. They have tests for boiling point, freezing point, and pH levels. ASTM also has specs for specific coolants, like those for heavy-duty engines.
Even though dexcool engine coolant was meant to be a reliable choice, it has faced criticism. Owners have reported issues like acid buildup, rust, and problems with head gaskets and other parts.
Legal Issues and Settlements
Dex Cool, GM’s coolant, caused many problems, leading to class action lawsuits. In 2008, General Motors settled with some owners. They addressed issues like engine damage and cooling system failures.
The settlement offered $50 to $800 in cash to those who paid for repairs by May 30, 2008, and claimed by October 27, 2008. It covered many GM models from 1995 to 2004.
Creditors had to prove their claims by November 30, 2009, for the GM bankruptcy. Claims were paid less, about 30% of their value, from the bankruptcy funds.
Key Settlement Details |
Statistics |
Settlement Reimbursement Range |
$50 to $800 per class member |
Covered Vehicle Models |
Dozens of GM platforms, 1995-2004 model years |
Total Claims Received |
Over 68,000 |
Total Settlement Amount Paid |
$6.1 million (around 40,000 claims) |
Proposed New Settlement |
$1.3 million for 6,685 GM owners, 4,614 claims pending |
Estimated Settlement Cost to GM |
Hundreds of millions of dollars |
The legal issues and settlements show the ongoing problems with the dex cool class action lawsuit and dex cool settlements with GM. Despite the compensation, owners of affected GM vehicles still face challenges.
“The settlement covers reimbursement for repairs linked to Dex-Cool coolant, with amounts ranging between $50 and $800 per class member.”
As the legal process continues, it’s unclear how GM will fix the Dex Cool issues and regain customer trust.
Conclusion
The debate on Dex Cool, GM’s engine coolant, shows the complex issues it brings. Some car owners like its long-lasting service, but others have had problems. They’ve seen increased acidity, corrosion, and damage to cooling parts, calling it “deathcool” online.
Keeping your car’s cooling system healthy is key. Follow the maker’s advice on coolant and maintain it well. This means checking it often, flushing it, and keeping levels right. Mixing Dex Cool with other coolants can make things worse, shortening its life to 2 years or 30,000 miles.
Some people like Dex Cool, but think carefully before choosing it. Brands like Honda and Toyota offer their own coolants for certain engines. The best coolant for you depends on your car’s needs and knowing the risks and benefits of each type.
FAQ
What is Dex Cool?
Dex Cool is a coolant made by General Motors (GM) in the 1990s. It’s an organic acid technology (OAT) designed to last 5 years or 150,000 miles. This is much longer than traditional coolants, which only last 2 years.
What are the problems associated with Dex Cool?
Dex Cool has faced many issues, including increased acid buildup and rust. These problems can cause head gaskets and other components to fail. It also leads to overheating in cooling systems.
Can I mix Dex Cool with green coolants?
Mixing Dex Cool with green ethylene glycol-based coolants is not advised. This mix can create a gel-like substance. This substance can clog the cooling system, causing overheating and engine damage.
What happens when Dex Cool fails?
If Dex Cool fails, it can cause many problems. It can become more acidic, leading to corrosion and rust. This can harm head gaskets and other parts. It can also form deposits that block coolant flow, causing overheating.
How do I maintain my engine coolant?
Keeping your engine coolant in good shape is key, whether using Dex Cool or traditional coolant. Check the coolant level and condition at every oil change. Flush and refill the system every 2 years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first.
What are the signs of coolant degradation?
Signs that your coolant needs replacing include a rusty color and a milky appearance. If it feels rough instead of smooth, it’s lost its protective properties.
What is the legal history of Dex Cool?
Dex Cool has faced many class action lawsuits due to its problems. In 2008, General Motors settled with some owners over engine damage and cooling system failures caused by Dex Cool.
