dexcool? Anyone know why it's anti freeze is called "deathcool"?

Question

i have recently been told that the dexcool anti freeze that may be in my car may be dangerous. Anyone have any good links or good info on the reason it is so bad, and what it is made of. I would really like to research this as best I can.

Answer 1

Air may turn it into gel and plug up the heat jacket:
http://www.pacific-audio.com/performance/messages/203349.html

It can crystalize:
http://www.geocities.com/b_gillie/dexcool_problems.html

There is a class-action suit against GM over Dex-Cool:
http://www.imcool.com/articles/antifreeze-coolant/CPM-52-DEXArticle-Excerpt.pdf

Other posters say not to mix Dex-cool with traditional antifreeze:
http://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061227151755AAtsglY

Here are some problem reports:
http://www.rightonblog.com/index.php/rob/comments/gm_problems/

I believe it is being called Deathcool because of the damage it is doing to engines.

Answer 2

There is still debate if it is the coolant or if it is the intake gasket. I think it is the intake gasket and GM has now come out with a modified version, but Fel-Pro makes nice cork gaskets that typically take care of this problem. It is also a known fact that Dex-Cool doesn't like to get too low and have air in the system. This is usually doe to either the intake gasket or the radiator cap. Going back to inferior green coolant isn't the answer either. You can safely use G-05 which Ford and Chrysler now use in a GM and be safe assuming you flush your system out well with distilled water and chemical cleaners then flush the cleaners out with distilled water.

Answer 3

It is called deathcool simply because of the meaning of the below freezing temperatures outside. It means nothing more. It was a term given by the locals. When you go outside and it is 20 below and it feels like "death" then you will understand the term. I wouldn't worry about it being dangerous unless you plan on drinking it.

Answer 4

dex cool is a propretiary coolant made by general motors for their vehicles. It has extended life rust inhibitors and lubricants in it. it is supposed to go 90k miles without a change or flush.

ALL coolant is dangerous....keep it away from animals and children...do not let it leak into the watershed.

If it were my car i would flush the cooling system really well...then change over to regular coolant...NON dex-cool type. A phosphate free coolant is great for your car, and is better for the environment as well, it is still a toxin though.

Answer 5

anti-freeze ( AF) is used by most car manufactures and the dex-cool ( d-c ) is a GM Corp. product ... every company wants to sell their own brands.... if AF or d-c leaks out of your car and a small animal licks up this sweet tasting green or pink liquid it becomes a poison to the animal ... sorry but that's true ... thus it is important to keep you can in good order -------------- not many will admit this truth to you because it is a reflection on the careless attitude of today's manufacturing (just sell the stuff) .... AF and d-c are not environmentally friendly but until someone comes up with a better coolant liquid it's all we got.....

Answer 6

The only thing I know about antifreeze is that it's deadly to cats. It has a sweet scent that attracts them to it. Hence, the "deathcool." If you get any on the ground by accident, please pour lots of water over it to completely dilute it. Thanks.