I just purchased a mint condition Astro Van. It looks looks it has the red coolant. Has anyone had any problems with this type coolant? Would it be beneficial to change it more often than the recommended interval? The van has only 64,000 miles on it. It's a 2000.
I appreciate your help!
John
Do I need to change from DEX coolant?
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Topic author - I get chills without my van.
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Re: Do I need to change from DEX coolant?
the general concensus around here is to flush out the dex completely and to switch over to the regular green stuff......
1995 Black LT AWD
2000 Ninja ZX-6R
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http://www.propertystation.ca/
2000 Ninja ZX-6R
2003 Mazdaspeed Protege (spicy)
1961 Impala...gone but not forgotten.
http://www.propertystation.ca/
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- I finally get the smurf thing
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Re: Do I need to change from DEX coolant?
Oh hell yes!! Get the DexCool stuff outta there just as quick as possible. Flush the overflow bottle, and waste a whole lot of water to get every drop of that 'stuff'.
You'll find that there are not many folks that have nice words for DexCool.... except gasket manufactures.
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2 ... xcool.html
http://www.girardgibbs.com/dexcool.html
http://www.sancarlosradiator.com/dex-cool.htm
You'll find that there are not many folks that have nice words for DexCool.... except gasket manufactures.
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2 ... xcool.html
http://www.girardgibbs.com/dexcool.html
http://www.sancarlosradiator.com/dex-cool.htm
Indy, all the horsepower you could ever imagine in one place...
Indianapolis 500, MotoGP, 400 at the Brickyard, NHRA US Nationals.
1991 Safari GT, 'B' motor, factory 4.10's. Original Owner !!!
Indianapolis 500, MotoGP, 400 at the Brickyard, NHRA US Nationals.
1991 Safari GT, 'B' motor, factory 4.10's. Original Owner !!!
Re: Do I need to change from DEX coolant?
is flushing the dex out something anyone can do themselves? or, is this something that a rad shop should do... with proper flushing machines... ? .. what about the heater core?
Rob
current rides:
04 Mazda 6 V6 5spd
vans owned:
97 Astro AWD (selling by summer .. i think) SOLD
99 Astro LS Sept 08 ASV VOM
94 Astro LT
93 Astro LT
96 Astro LT AWD * parts van*
current rides:
04 Mazda 6 V6 5spd
vans owned:
97 Astro AWD (selling by summer .. i think) SOLD
99 Astro LS Sept 08 ASV VOM
94 Astro LT
93 Astro LT
96 Astro LT AWD * parts van*
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- I finally get the smurf thing
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Re: Do I need to change from DEX coolant?
If you don't have the dreaded DexCool sludge....
On a cold engine, drain the DexCool for proper waste disposal. Place the temp lever(s) to 'ON' & 'HOT', and stick the hose in the filler neck for the radiator & leave the drain petcock open. Scrub out & rinse the overflow, (puke), tank.
Have a beer, take your time...
Pull the thermostat housing, (you were gonna change the thermostat anyway I hope), and stick that same hose in there....
Have another cold one, again taking your time....
Put it all back together/close it all back up, fill with 50/50 and run engine & heater(s), to burp any air bubbles out, fill the overflow bottle to the 'FULL' mark. Once the engine starts to warm, the coolant will tend to overflow the fill opening, that's the time to put the cap back on, and allow to idle for about 10 more minutes. Check for leaks !!!
Kill a couple more of those brews while cleaning-up and putting away everything. Two beers enjoyed responsibly is just about the right amount of time for the system to cool off and draw back from the overflow bottle.... just top off the bottle to between the 'COLD' & 'FULL' marks, and watch it for a few days. Top up as necessary.
Sit back, admire your handy-work & complete the afternoon with the rest of that 6-er.
Oh yeah, I strongly recommend using distilled or de-mineralized water available from the local grocery store... less than a buck a gallon, leaves no minerals/residue in a cooling system and any leftover you can use in your iron when you are doing laundry. (It's tips like this that keeps my wife happy when I make a mess. )
On a cold engine, drain the DexCool for proper waste disposal. Place the temp lever(s) to 'ON' & 'HOT', and stick the hose in the filler neck for the radiator & leave the drain petcock open. Scrub out & rinse the overflow, (puke), tank.
Have a beer, take your time...
Pull the thermostat housing, (you were gonna change the thermostat anyway I hope), and stick that same hose in there....
Have another cold one, again taking your time....
Put it all back together/close it all back up, fill with 50/50 and run engine & heater(s), to burp any air bubbles out, fill the overflow bottle to the 'FULL' mark. Once the engine starts to warm, the coolant will tend to overflow the fill opening, that's the time to put the cap back on, and allow to idle for about 10 more minutes. Check for leaks !!!
Kill a couple more of those brews while cleaning-up and putting away everything. Two beers enjoyed responsibly is just about the right amount of time for the system to cool off and draw back from the overflow bottle.... just top off the bottle to between the 'COLD' & 'FULL' marks, and watch it for a few days. Top up as necessary.
Sit back, admire your handy-work & complete the afternoon with the rest of that 6-er.
Oh yeah, I strongly recommend using distilled or de-mineralized water available from the local grocery store... less than a buck a gallon, leaves no minerals/residue in a cooling system and any leftover you can use in your iron when you are doing laundry. (It's tips like this that keeps my wife happy when I make a mess. )
Indy, all the horsepower you could ever imagine in one place...
Indianapolis 500, MotoGP, 400 at the Brickyard, NHRA US Nationals.
1991 Safari GT, 'B' motor, factory 4.10's. Original Owner !!!
Indianapolis 500, MotoGP, 400 at the Brickyard, NHRA US Nationals.
1991 Safari GT, 'B' motor, factory 4.10's. Original Owner !!!
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Topic author - I get chills without my van.
- Posts: 52
- Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 4:33 pm
- Location: Durham, North Carolina
Thanks for the replies, folks!
Looks like there are unanimous opinions regarding DEX.
2000 White Astro Van 2WD
64000 miles
Everything stock
64000 miles
Everything stock
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Re: Do I need to change from DEX coolant?
Like they said, flush the orange and install the green.
`86 V8 Lowered Cargo, extensively modified, shaved bald, wearing the shortest, sluttyest white primer dress....
A British Wanker living in So KarlyFornia.
My Astro tows my toys to Glamis sand dunes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp2pqjQtpso
First ever canal jump at Glamis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXZjM84x_Xc
A British Wanker living in So KarlyFornia.
My Astro tows my toys to Glamis sand dunes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp2pqjQtpso
First ever canal jump at Glamis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXZjM84x_Xc
Re: Do I need to change from DEX coolant?
Thats the quote my boss always says regarding Dexcool.SoCalli V8 wrote:flush the orange and install the green.
1991 Chevy Astro Extended- Stock 4.3