I recently purchased a 1997 Chevy Malibu. Along with my wife's 1998 Chevy Cavalier, our engines are cooled by Dexcool.

Recently, I was approached by a neighbor and informed that Dexcool tends to break down gaskets and other rubber parts over time.

I got online and discovered that enough people had had this issue that a class action suit had been filed and settled for some $24mm. Obviously, this is not conclusive, but highly suggestive of a problem.

Further research, however, has yielded a number of claims that the problems with Dex only arise if the coolant is not periodically replaced or is allowed to reach low levels.

I am looking for the final word. I am prepared to flush the Dex from my system and move on to another product, but I don't want to go though the trouble if it there is no real problem.

Does anyone know, with the specifics to back up their assertions, so Chevy owners can finally make a rational decision regarding their coolant?

Thanks!

B C E

 

Hi BCE,

Welcome to the Chevy forums.

I feel as though I'm one of the few,lucky, or as-yet-unvictimized,
but 95K on my '04 Crewcab 6.0L with no problems with the Dex-cool coolant.

The only thing done to the cooling system has been 3 waterpump replacements, with thermostats and gaskets. These have not been due to gunking or coolant issues. I only replaced what I lost in coolant(with more Dexcool). Of course, the overflow cap was recently replaced.

What I can tell for certain is Dex-cool reacts VERY badly with standard green coolant, and apparently any other additives.

Perhaps I'm just the exception to the rule, but I've had no difficulties with Dexcool as yet. I have to re-iterate that this is my first vehicle with Dex-cool, and I may just have been fortunate to have dodged the bullet. Because Class-action Lawsuit aside, many,many others here at this site alone have had difficulties with Dex-cool.

I must also state that GM brings problems like this one upon itself by using proprietary technology with which it makes almost no effort to inform the public.