Re: Dexcool problem?

["Graydon D. Stuckey" <graydon@apollo.kettering.edu>]

On Sun, 9 Aug 1998, Steve Manning wrote:

> traditional phosphate/silicate antifreeze has never been used.  However, if
> any traditional antifreeze has ever been used in your car's cooling system,
> it is strongly advised to avoid using Dexcool.  This is because, short of a
> dangerous strong acid cleaning or complete replacement of all parts within
> the cooling system, it is physically impossible to remove all residuals of
> phosphates and silicates - even with repeated flushing.  If Dexcool is used
> in such a system, deposit formation will be almost instantaneous and will
> seriously affect your car's cooling system eficiency and performance.
> Because most corrosion occurs under such deposits, it will also affect the
> long-term corrosion prevention in such a system as well."

This is true.  I talked to the engineer at GM that was responsible for
releasing the long life coolant, and he told me basically the same thing
as what you found above.  The long life is not compatible with the ood
style coolant, and it isn't as good from a heat transfer standpoint as the
old coolant.  It does last longer though, which is the only reason it is
used. 

> - So, should I switch back?  Or is it too late?  Cooling system performance
> seems fine.

I think I'd leave it alone now if it works.  I'll ask at work if I get a 
chance to talk to someone who knows.

> - This information was written by a competitor of Texaco; I've never seen
> Texaco state this information.  Is it correct?

It doesn't really matter too much who makes it, its the design of the 
product that matters.

Later,
Graydon D. Stuckey

"There's alot more to Jazz than just wrong notes"