[V8] Coolant type...prestone???

[DasWolfen at aol.com]

In a message dated 1/27/04 1:29:13 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
smittypig24 at yahoo.com writes:

> I understand that Dex-Cool is the coolant my v8 requires. The local auto
> parts store has Prestone 5/150 and it says GM DEX-COOL approved. Is this the
> right stuff? The archives still left me wondering. Thanks.

No, maybe.

 A recent SAE paper discusses problems with changing coolant types and the 
interaction of the old residue with the new coolant chemicals. The general idea 
is that if your car has a certain coolant in it stay with that coolant type 
EXACTLY. If someone already changed the coolant stay with the new type. Reason 
is that the interaction of chemicals creates a heat barrier that can have a 
serious effect on cooling capacity. 

 If you already have Dex-cool in the car stay with Dex-cool, if you have G12, 
stay with G12, if you have the normal "green" stay with it.

HTH
Keith

PS: Thanks to Scott J (qshipq) for the SAE paper info.