GM Dex Cool in a Q45

[gniknave]

1990 Q45 168k miles...

I bought this car last May and noticed the former owner (a Nico member) put GM DexCool in it. I haven't had any problems with it, but I'm a little worried about it.

He didn't mix it with green or anything of the sort and he did always use distilled water. What I'm concerned with is all the problems it's giving the GM vehicles and the class-action lawsuit against GM and DexCool.

Should I be worried about having this in my car? On one hand I'm a little worried, but on the other hand, I know the previous owner (fxjackso) took exceptional care of this car and really knew what he was doing.

If there is reason for concern, what should I do to rid the system of the DexCool and switch back to regular Nissan green coolant?

[Q451990]

The non-silicate "long life" and distilled coolant combination has been recommended here for years. What is the issue with the GM lawsuit? My understanding is that any silicate-free antifreeze is preferable to the old yellow/green stuff. I believe Nissan Green, Toyota Red, etc. will also fit the bill. The distilled water is important too - too much variation between municipal water sources... who knows what sort of minerals are in it.

Heath

[FarFetched]

Dex-cool suppose to be alluminum friendly coolant which is based on glycol with silica compound for better heat transfer and lubricity. However, neglect and failure to maintain proper working order of a cooling system "every car owner maintains his/her vehicle religiously "- Yeah right! will result in severe degradation of coolant, thus causing other components to fail. I've converted coolant in my Jeep from green glycol to long life GM type coolant. Only one thing I've had trouble with was seepage of coolant through spring hose clamps over tired colant hose. Quick replacement of upper rad hose fixed this problem. In my oppinion GM coolant (long life) is not designed for 5/150k miles service life with "normal" humam-car-owner factor. It is becoming a wide spread trend to install life-time fluids in vehicles to prevent "normal" car-owner from paying attention to the health of the vehicle!By making life easier, car manufacureres create more headaches for consumers.Properly maintained cooling system will benefit from either coolant used to cool engine!
Modified by FarFetched at 8:36 PM 1/20/2006

[elwesso]

The coolant will still work, since its still ethelyne glycol... However, dont think you can go 150k without changing it.. Still maintain your annual radiator drain/refill

[Q45tech]

The problem with OAT additives was traced to GM cheap rad caps and mixed iron/aluminum engines.

[Q451990]

The problem with OAT additives was traced to ...mixed iron/aluminum engines.

Do you think I should use something else in my 97 Truck? To my knowledge the block is iron, with an aluminum head. I'm using Texaco (or Prestone?) Orange with distilled water. 40AF/60H20 mix, just like in the Qs.

Heath

[FarFetched]

BINGO!5.7L intake R+R comming right up!

[3Q Jay]

Do you think I should use something else in my 97 Truck? To my knowledge the block is iron, with an aluminum head. I'm using Texaco (or Prestone?) Orange with distilled water. 40AF/60H20 mix, just like in the Qs.

Heath

Heath- ka24de? that's whats in the alty also. ive run oat in everything: vq30de, vh45de,vh41de, (all alum/alum)--and the ka24 for years with no issues. but your concern seems valid on the iron/aluminum--so I'm curious as well.