Dexcool

[Knot Waiting]

This subject got started inconsiderately under another thread but I thought I should share the info as long as the subject had gotten brought up (under the correct thread).

Any one out there who owns a GM (Pontiac, Buick, Olds, Chevrolet) made from 1996 - 2006 and has had problems with the dexcool antifreeze may be entitled to a refund of their repairs.

GM lost a class action lawsuit claiming that Dexcool causes premature cooling system failures (proven true). If you have had a repair done to to your intake manifold (upper or lower), head gasket, throttle body, water pump, radiatior, or even block... Go to this website: http://www.girardgibbs.com/dexcool.html There are 2 forms to fill out and mail in. GM is expected to pay out over 300million on this, up to 800 per case. Thought I'd try and help anyone who, like me, got screwed by this dexcool fiasco.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Dexcool

Well,well,well, it's about time! Gees, just finished forwarding link to site for a couple of friends that got screwed too. I'll be filing a claim too.
Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Dexcool

Strange my 99 Tahoe is not listed...The 5.7 V-8s had the problem too.
Also the repairs were done by me...

 

[Windykid]

Re: Dexcool

Wow, imagine that. I had many GM workers tell me there was not a problem

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: Dexcool

Despite losing the lawsuit GM will continue to deny any fault, most likely to keep costs (and the number of claims) down.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Dexcool

Thanks Knot, I own three of the listed vehicles and have had the repair done a total of four times. Otherwise, these engines are amazing. They have mileages of 178,000, 158,000 and 125,000 and run great. My driveway looks like a Chevrolet advertisement. I have all the receipts and required proof, it's worth a shot!

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Dexcool

Despite losing the lawsuit GM will continue to deny any fault, most likely to keep costs (and the number of claims) down.

And folks wonder why GM and other car makers are losing out to inports.go figure

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Dexcool

Can I just top off with Prestone as the Dexcool leaks out?

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Dexcool

On my fathers Impala (the same one that left us on the side of the road in the other thread) it has a sticker next to the radiator: "Only refill with Dexcool coolant."

Interesting.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Dexcool

Can I just top off with Prestone as the Dexcool leaks out?

Leaks out? It's more of an issue of what leaks IN! If your planning on staying with Deathcool, stay with it, otherwise flush and refill with green stuff, don't mix.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Dexcool

I wouldn't mix them, but the second time I had the intake gaskets replaced on my Lumina, I had them fill it with the green stuff.

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Dexcool

Dexcool was a good idea, it just didnt work out in the long run. The coolant was not tolerant to contamination, something the engineers didnt think of.

Ken

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Dexcool

What do you mean it didn't work out in the long run? It still is being used!

 

[gss036]

Re: Dexcool

I saw it advertised in the Shucks ad on Sunday and my 1999 5.3L engine has had it since new.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Dexcool

WOW! I knew alot of other people had the same issues we had with our 2001 pontiac montana, but this is nice to see something actually being done about it. But, it looks like we are on the lower end of the payscale here... as we just had ours done in early 2007...

 

[tommays]

Re: Dexcool

My 99 venture had it twice , once the intake and later the heads , we were really lucky as the second time it was hydrolocked in the driveway after parking overnight



BUT its really a why cant we make gaskets that work right problem

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Dexcool

That's like saying "Why can't every gas engine run on ethanol?" If its incompatible, it's incompatible. That's not something the vehicle owner should have to worry about. If the parts aren't compatible, then they should never have been put on the same vehicle. R and D is part of a vehicle's cost, so GM needs to do their damn job.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Dexcool

Big ol' Hurrah there waterinthefuel. I love GM's products, but this should never have happened, and it shouldn't have been allowed to go on as long as it did. I am in the process of tracking down my repair invoice from 13 months ago and trying to get $400 of my money back!

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Dexcool

Does the Dexcool effect attack all gaskets or just the factory build gaskets?
How can you tell if the intake gasket has ever been replaced prior to purchase of the vehicle?
Other than the obvious such as wrench marks and bright new gaskets hanging out.

 

[Knot Waiting]

Re: Dexcool

If a GM repair facility did the work the replacement gasket should be green (minor exceptions to that rule, but as a whole, green). Original is orange. If a local shop did it there is no telling. Yes, it attacks all gaskets.