What's the difference? I've got a '97 Buick with a 3800. I bought it used and the radiator is low on fluid. Short of popping the petcock, I cannot tell what the last guy was using for antifreeze. How big a deal is using green instead of Dex cool? Mixing the two? Should I just drain whatever is in there and start over with Dex? Thanks.
Dex Cool v The green stuff
Jan 05, 2012
1 Replies
Read the labels at the FLAPS and you will find many, if not all, the current green formulations are compatible with the DexCool chemistry. A lot of people on here made claims that DexCool and the old green formulation were disastrously incompatible, but these usually seemed to be unfounded claims.
On a car that old, I would drain and flush the block and radiator, just to wash out any trash, rust, etc that may have accumulated. Then refill with coolant of your choice. I have honestly never been very impressed by the DexCool. The reason is the protection of aluminum alloys , which was pretty decent with the green silicate formulations.
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