Antifreeze question
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2006
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Antifreeze question
95 PSD
A mechanic friend of mine told me first thing I should do is get rid of the green antifreeze and replace with Dex-Cool. Its supposed to do something to stop the electrolasis .sp? on the sleeves. I did this and added a pint, 16oz., of the diesel aintifreeze additive. However I have to get some more. The additive bottle says 4oz's. per gallon. If I read corectly it has a 29qt. coolant system. Thats 7 gallons and 1 qt. So I've got to add atleast 12 more ounces. But the bottle says DO NOT OVERCHARGE. Now I'm concerned, how important is this???
A mechanic friend of mine told me first thing I should do is get rid of the green antifreeze and replace with Dex-Cool. Its supposed to do something to stop the electrolasis .sp? on the sleeves. I did this and added a pint, 16oz., of the diesel aintifreeze additive. However I have to get some more. The additive bottle says 4oz's. per gallon. If I read corectly it has a 29qt. coolant system. Thats 7 gallons and 1 qt. So I've got to add atleast 12 more ounces. But the bottle says DO NOT OVERCHARGE. Now I'm concerned, how important is this???
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Junior User
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Also, Where should my temp gauge stay? Mine hangs around the o in normal. I would prefer to have gauges with #'s, oh well. This just seems a little colod. This is my first diesel. From what I have read on the gassers the computer richens up to mixture until it reaches operating temp. Is this the same in diesels?
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,835
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From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
Well first of all if you really put dexcool in it ( the red GM coolant) get it out and either keep the green or go with the ford Gold coolant or a few other that people here recommend. Then find a new mechanic friend! Dexcool is the worst coolant I have ever come across and it should not be used in our trucks. The reason GM engines have so many coolant relate problems is dexcool. Have you ever seen the nasty build up inside of a dexcooled engine.
As far as additive put in the recommended amount then test with coolant test strips availible from most part stores.
The temp gauge is reading pretty normal but as you said one with numbers is better. The factory gauge is very inaccurate. If you have any funds get an aftermarket gauge. I don't know for sure if the computer "richens the mixture" when cold. Diesel work on very different principles than gas engines. They are throttled by the amount of fuel injected. I do know that for some time there was an oil temp modification that tricked the computer to think the oil was cold and therefore gave a boost in power. It is no longer a recommended mod for reason I don't know. but any way thats what I think you should do.
As far as additive put in the recommended amount then test with coolant test strips availible from most part stores.
The temp gauge is reading pretty normal but as you said one with numbers is better. The factory gauge is very inaccurate. If you have any funds get an aftermarket gauge. I don't know for sure if the computer "richens the mixture" when cold. Diesel work on very different principles than gas engines. They are throttled by the amount of fuel injected. I do know that for some time there was an oil temp modification that tricked the computer to think the oil was cold and therefore gave a boost in power. It is no longer a recommended mod for reason I don't know. but any way thats what I think you should do.
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AWWWW Chit!!!!!!!!!
There goes 50.00 bucks down the drain. This dexcool does state compatible with ford, gm, dodge, etc. I don't think that what he says is always right. But, what is he talking about, "green coolant will cause pinholes in sleeves?"
What coolant should I use? I had to buy the additive at the dealership.
Thanks for the reply
There goes 50.00 bucks down the drain. This dexcool does state compatible with ford, gm, dodge, etc. I don't think that what he says is always right. But, what is he talking about, "green coolant will cause pinholes in sleeves?"
What coolant should I use? I had to buy the additive at the dealership.
Thanks for the reply
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,835
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From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
any coolant can cause pin holes in the sleeves if you don't use a anti cavitation additive like you added earlier. The ford gold coolant already has the additive in it. But it should still be checked every now and then. You can buy the additive at the dealership and places like napa they call it napa cool and the part number is 4058 if i remember correctly.
cavitation is from what I understand tiny gas bubbles that are created from heat. then the metal begins to be eaten away. In powerstrokes if can happen to the cylinder, timing cover, injector cups. It easy to keep form happening you just need the correct coolant and the additives and test strips to test the proper amount of additives.
cavitation is from what I understand tiny gas bubbles that are created from heat. then the metal begins to be eaten away. In powerstrokes if can happen to the cylinder, timing cover, injector cups. It easy to keep form happening you just need the correct coolant and the additives and test strips to test the proper amount of additives.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 185
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From: Taylorsville, KY
yes it is true what tjbeggs said. I work at napa and I can tell you from experience that the vehicles that run the dex cool have to be flushed a lot more often because of a buildup of gunk in the system. most of the mechanics that I sell parts to will say this too. the best thing to do is to either keep the green coolant in there and put the additive in it or put the ford gold coolant in it. if you get another brand like zerex it is the G05 antifreeze.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
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I can't agree more, Dexcool is quite possibly the worst crap i have ever seen.there is a million lawsuits filed due to people using the s###. Tj is right, use either standard life etheylene glycol with additive,or even better hybrid organic works very well in preventing cavitation erotion.
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