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Topic: Orange Coolant

in Forum: C3 Cooling and Heating Systems


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Orange Coolant (1/24)
 8/12/08 8:31am
79FOREVER
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METAIRIE, LA - USA

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I have been using the 5 year orange coolant in my C3, did I make a bad decision.  I have had it in the car for some time now.  GM stuff.  I have the system down right now, so I can go back to green if I should.

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Orange Coolant (2/24)
 8/12/08 2:43pm
aceintheholeLifetime Member
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Hi Joe, I'm not an expert on this, but I used the orange stuff for a while cause it claimed to be universally compatible (aluminum or iron blocks) and I have several different cars, and it seemed to disappear in the system, with or without leaks Confused. After hearing some negative info on orange, I switched back to a universally compatible green formula and all is well. I don't know, but I don't have any use for it. I'm a Prestone kinda guy Big%20smile. Good quality, no guessing.

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Orange Coolant (3/24)
 8/12/08 2:54pm
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COPPERAS COVE, TX - USA

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I have used it in another vehicle and had problems with leaks, went back to green and problem solved. Unless the vehicle came with it, I'd stay green. My  2 cents.

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Orange Coolant (4/24)
 8/12/08 3:57pm
my7t1Lifetime Member
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Joe. There is a thread somewhere here talking about the disadvantage of using Dex-cool. In a nutshell, even the newer GM cars with Dex-Cool are having serious problem with intake leaks, and the stuff turning to mud, etc. There is absolutely no advantage in using Dex-Cool or any other long life antifreeze in an older car that should be flushed and filled every 2-3 years regardless of whats in it.
I say this by years of experience in this field.      Go green


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Orange Coolant (5/24)
 8/12/08 4:41pm
Gunslinger
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For the most part, about the only advantage the non-ethlene glycol (green stuff) has is that it's less toxic should an animal drink any dripping or spillage.  Not that's it's non-toxic, simply less toxic.

Unless the car manufacturer specifies Dex-Cool or something other than ethlene-glycol, I wouldn't use it.
Orange Coolant (6/24)
 8/12/08 4:43pm
79FOREVER
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Thanks Terry, this is the kind of info I need.  I have had the orange stuff, GM, in the car for a while and have had my share of small leaks, some I could never find, was trying to extend the flush interval.  When I bring the system back up I will refill it w/ just water and run it for a while and drain, hopefully that will get rid of most of it.  Will go back green, what brand do you recommend and how often should I flush?  Keep in mind this car sits allot, but other than right now I run it every two weeks, no longer than three at the most.

 

Just changed the harmonic balancer and saw obvious signs that the water pump had been leaking from the lower weep hole for quiet some time.  Pulled pump and all hoses.  Not going back w/ the heater hoses, just 4 more points to corrode and leak.  Planning on filling the heat core w/ coolant mix and run a hose from tube to tube which is going to be fun.  I don’t want the heater core to go bad unless you think I should just drain it?

 

79FOREVER2008-08-12 13:45:24
Orange Coolant (7/24)
 8/12/08 5:24pm
my7t1Lifetime Member
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Hey Joe. As I posted in Heater Hoses, its not a bad idea to leave a little coolant in heater to keep it from drying out. Make sure you use a mixture, because believe it or not straight antifreeze is very corrosive. As far as Dex, it is ethylene glycol with different rust inhibitor package than green. Dex uses what is called O.A.T. or Organic Acid Technologies, where green uses silicates. If you want to know facts about Dex, Google Dex-Cool lawsuits and see what comes up. My favorite pics are http://www.sancarlosradiator.com/dex-cool_pics.htm



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Orange Coolant (8/24)
 8/12/08 9:33pm
79FOREVER
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Well I can say my hoses don't look nothing like that, they were very clean.  A little residue in the radiator.  Will runing w/ clear water remove what is left in the motor?  Printed the info, will read soon.  If needed, I will flush in 6months again just to get it out of the system. 

79FOREVER2008-08-12 18:34:16
Orange Coolant (9/24)
 8/12/08 10:07pm
my7t1Lifetime Member
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I think if you flush the system real good until the water comes out clear you should be OK. You really don't want to run with just water for very long. Plain water has a lower boiling point, plus you need the rust inhibitors. Make sure you mix antifreeze at least 50/50. Actually I prefer around 60-70% antifreeze. Its not a bad idea to use distilled water especially if your water has a lot of minerals in it.Wink

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Orange Coolant (10/24)
 8/13/08 8:43am
79FOREVER
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My camaro, the wifes car ,always call for distilled.  So the best thing is for me to do a flush w/ the mix correct, not just clear water?  What brand coolant do you recommend?  

Orange Coolant (11/24)
 8/13/08 12:43pm
tonyb47
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I found this very interesting. recently my sons 98 camaro was losing antifreeze. no leaks, nothing on the ground. I took it to a service station
and the mechanic said the intake manifold gasket was ng, and it was a common problem on these cars, gm used inferior gaskets, the radiator also had that red mud in it. We had the gasket replaced and the dexcool antifreeze. about a month later the engine blew, it had about 117,00 miles. the mechanic said antifreeze probably got into the engine. We had the engine replaced with a remanufactured engine from jasper engines, and put the dexcool back in. Was the dex  what caused the gasket to go,or what the mechanic said about tjhe inferior gaskets true. I'm wondering should we flush this crap out and replace it with prestone. Prestone makes a coolant that replaces the dex or should I replaced it with regular antifreeze.


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Orange Coolant (12/24)
 8/13/08 1:22pm
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[QUOTE=79FOREVER]

My camaro, the wifes car ,always call for distilled.  So the best thing is for me to do a flush w/ the mix correct, not just clear water?  What brand coolant do you recommend?  

[/QUOTE]
 
You just need water to flush out old A.F. Then try to get out as much water as you can so you can get proper mix. You can pull lower hose and let it drain. You can also blow out the water with air, but you have to be careful not to use too much pressure.


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Orange Coolant (13/24)
 8/13/08 1:41pm
my7t1Lifetime Member
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[QUOTE=tonyb47]I found this very interesting. recently my sons 98 camaro was losing antifreeze. no leaks, nothing on the ground. I took it to a service station
and the mechanic said the intake manifold gasket was ng, and it was a common problem on these cars, gm used inferior gaskets, the radiator also had that red mud in it. We had the gasket replaced and the dexcool antifreeze. about a month later the engine blew, it had about 117,00 miles. the mechanic said antifreeze probably got into the engine. We had the engine replaced with a remanufactured engine from jasper engines, and put the dexcool back in. Was the dex  what caused the gasket to go,or what the mechanic said about tjhe inferior gaskets true. I'm wondering should we flush this crap out and replace it with prestone. Prestone makes a coolant that replaces the dex or should I replaced it with regular antifreeze.
[/QUOTE]
 
Hey Tony. Your mechanic is right. In certain motors Dexcool turns to sludge and attacks the gaskets. Yes GM used an intake gasket that was inferior when using  Dex. The aftermarket gaskets are made of a different material. I am still baffled why this is only true with some motors and not others. The Vortec 4.3 and the 3.8 are the ones I see the most. By all means get the Dex out and replace with Green. Most green antifreeze comes from the same boat, however its not bad to stick with the big 3, Preston, Peak, Zerex. The drop in replacements are suppose to be compatible, I haven't seen problems contradicting that. I do use Peak long life in newer cars after the Dex has been flushed.
Another interesting site. 


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Orange Coolant (14/24)
 8/13/08 1:44pm
79FOREVER
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Already pulled all the hoses when I pulled the water pump.  I will put back together, fill and flush in my garage.  Will push as much as possible out with air also.  Will refill w/ green and flush again in about 6 months just to make sure I got most of that stuff out.  The only green stuff Advance Auto had was Peak brand.  Most stores are stocking alot of the extended life stuff.  Thanks again Terry for all our adivce.
 
Joe
Orange Coolant (15/24)
 8/13/08 3:01pm
Aaron1976
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I have always preferred Red Cool-Aid or Choo Choo Cherry Funny Face. LOL  Aaron19762008-08-13 12:03:54

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Orange Coolant (16/24)
 8/13/08 3:29pm
my7t1Lifetime Member
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[QUOTE=Aaron1976]I have always preferred Red Cool-Aid or Choo Choo Cherry Funny Face. LOL  [/QUOTE]
 
Not a bad idea Aaron. Reminds me of the time I got an old beater in here that was overheating. Well we flushed out some mud and crap like I ain't never seen before, and man did it stink. I asked what he put in there. Well, he told me that a guy told him you can stop a leak with raw eggs. Dint work so's I tried oatmeal.Still leaken and a bubba told me to try pepper. So's I put in, get this, a pound of pepper!! Well, I says ya know that's not a bad thing cause iffin the stuff don't stop the leak y'all kin sit long side da road drain the lower hose n have breakfast.Wacko
Throw in a lil Choo Choo Cherry Funny face, n ya got da drink ta go wid it.Rolling%20On%20The%20Floor%20Laughing
 


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Orange Coolant (17/24)
 8/13/08 8:40pm
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Wow after buying all that food stuff he could have saved money by buying some radiator stop leak at the auto parts strore.LOL

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Orange Coolant (18/24)
 8/17/08 10:10am
tonyb47
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Hey my7t1,  prestone makes a antifreeze thats compatible with gm cars  should I replace the coolant with the standard prestone, or their version of dexcool



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Orange Coolant (19/24)
 8/17/08 12:21pm
my7t1Lifetime Member
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Dorr, MI - USA

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[QUOTE=tonyb47]

Hey my7t1,  prestone makes a antifreeze thats compatible with gm cars  should I replace the coolant with the standard prestone, or their version of dexcool

[/QUOTE]
 
Hey Tony. Yes there is an antifreeze compatible with Dex & other colored coolant. The only time I us it is to add to a system that I'm not sure whats in it. If your flushing out all the Dex, personally I would replace with just regular green. Now keep in mind that rust inhibitors are "a preventive" against corrosion. Once the damage has been done, there's not much you can do to get all the sludge out. If you replaced the motor, its probably not to late to get the inhibitors working,. because the system should be fairly clean. Hope this helps. Terry


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Orange Coolant (20/24)
 8/18/08 10:56am
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Yes, thanks for the info. We also have a new radiator, because the mechanic suggested a new radiator because of the sludge. That orange crap really makes a mess

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Orange Coolant (21/24)
 8/18/08 1:24pm
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Thanx for that link, Terry... Good info....

I've personally seen the Dex-Cool turn to jello when mixed with regular, green coolants...not a purdy sight at all....

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Orange Coolant (22/24)
 9/9/08 6:51pm
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When I put in my Dewitts aluminum radiator, I called Dewitt and asked him what he recommended for his radiator.  He said it didn't really matter but stressed that I mix it with distilled water only.

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Orange Coolant (23/24)
 9/9/08 7:33pm
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[QUOTE=F4Gary]When I put in my Dewitts aluminum radiator, I called Dewitt and asked him what he recommended for his radiator.  He said it didn't really matter but stressed that I mix it with distilled water only. [/QUOTE] That is the real choice in my book..........distilled water. There aren't any minerals in it. Or if you can use reverse osmosis water. Of course mixed with the anti-freeze.

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Orange Coolant (24/24)
 9/9/08 8:32pm
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I can tell you from personal experience on a '96 GMC Truck that Dex-Cool SUX.  71Shark and I had to drill and tap a heater hose neck 'cause the Dex rotted out the aluminum quick release fitting. 

There is a class-action lawsuit against GM for the damage dex-Cool has caused.  There was mud in my system and when we changed the head gaskets, even though we had flushed and refilled with Prestone Green, the head gaskets were eaten alive. 

Also, don't fall for the Prestone trick out there that proves P.T. Barnum was right.  The 50/50 Prestone costs more per gallon in some stores, and only a buck or two cheaper that the full strength stuff.  Paying for convenience is one thing, but that is crazy.

I would recommend that after you flush several times (don't forget to flush the heater core as well, do a BLOCK FILL of the system, SLOWLY, watching for bubbles.

One of the corrosion issues with Dex-Cool is that when it goes away, the airspace corrodes, so the lower the system, the more corrosion.

GM is about to find out how much they will lose (up to $800/customer) for damages due to Dex-Cool. <url>http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/06/dexcool_settle.html<url> 

I was told by the local manager of Auto Zone that Dex-Cool is no longer being prduced and is being sold to empty the stocks.

As our local vette mechanic loves to say, "New does not mean works", usually meant to mena parts, but applies well here.
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