will my chevy run ok for a few days with regular coolant instead of dexcool?

Question

My 2000 impala just got serviced 2 hours ago for a broken intake manifold gasket. I was driving to work and my low coolant light came on and then my car started smoking. I stopped at the gas station and they do not sell dexcool so I bought some regular 50/50 coolant, just so I could get to where I was going. Will my chevy be ok running on regular coolant for a few days until I can flush the system, or is my engine at danger? Please help me!!!!

Answer 1

It will gel, as long as you dont mind changing the heater core, water pump, radiator, and thermostat, then by all means, leave it in there. I have seen some people get LUCKY and not have problems, but i've replace more than a few heads because of this seeming harmless mistake, Including my own fathers. Get it in and get it flushed.

Answer 2

The only thing you did was contaminate the dexcool. Now you won't get the 5 year 100,000 mile out the coolant. You have change every two year like having normal coolant. When you flush the system make sure you get every thing out, if you plan to use the dexcool again.

Answer 3

they are able to be mixed freely - you in effortless terms "shorten" the service era to that of the standard "eco-friendly" coolant. in spite of the undeniable fact that: examine your rad cap and reservoir; while you're construction any "orange sludge", I strongly propose you the two thoroughly flush (or have an suited fix station do it, while you're actually not beneficial) your cooling gadget. Dexcool has a foul proclivity to react in structures that leak - producing a crud that clogs passageways and would reason overheating. You did no longer point out the engine on your automobile, yet while its the three.4 V6, that particular engine is infamous for injury because of this sludge. My advice is this - while you're finding to alter your coolant, and you often examine your coolant point, and its frequently finished, and there is not any orange gum, then by utilising all ability proceed to apply Dexcool. in any different case, in case you do no longer prefer to proceed a commonplace inspection of your cooling gadget or have your doubts - swap to the commonplace coolant and time table 5 3 hundred and sixty 5 days variations extremely of 10.

Answer 4

The car can run green or dexicool, but not both at once! when you mix 50/50 coolant and dexicool it can gel like others have said, ruining your engine. Get it flushed immediately and pick one of the two.

Answer 5

It'll be fine. The Dexcool is longlife anti-freeze the green stuff isn't. I've seen it mixed with no problems. Probably get it flushed and go with one or the other. Should change the green anti-freeze every 30,000mi or 2 yrs if you use it

Answer 6

It should run fine, coolant is coolant.

The Dexcool just makes it maintenance free for five years.

Have the system flushed out and serviced by a certified shop when you take it in.

Answer 7

i am no expert, but did sell cadillacs when this stuff came out.

supposedly this junk is nearly impossible to get the mix out of the engine completly if you do red + green. this is not at all a home flush job for the average guy to change it out. you really should consider taking the car to a reputable place that gives you some kind of warranty if they say they can get it all out.

again, i'm no expert, but shop guys at the dealership arent lying when you overhear two of them talking ::grin:: BoL

Answer 8

Any coolant in it will protect it..There are 2 different coolants Red and green...Red is a long term coolant, green does not last as long...I have used both and even mixed them...Your car will be fine...

Answer 9

I asked my repair shop about Dexacool after I read horror stories about it ruining engines, etc. He recommended I flush it out and use the green stuff. That's what I did. Everything is fine.
Jay

Answer 10

Flush ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!! When I bought my '02 cav and read about dexcoolin the manual, I cursed GM for this stupid idea. Not a few days. Do it on Saturday.