[Wingnut]

Guys I need help I have a 96 LT4 with alminum heads I read in a bool there was a recall about the antifreeze being used the tag on the tank says red, I went to a Cadillac dealer figure G M and the mechanic told me GREEN. I check mine and it is red. They say the wrong one hurts the water pump. Anyone know who is right. Next step is a Chevy dealer but the closest one is about 20 miles away. Thanks

[fishslayer143@yahoo.com]

I believe 96 is when GM went to the red or Dexcool..but there were several lawsuits over the alum. corrosion problems with Dexcool..I m sure that problem is solved by now... I would stay with whats in it now, unless you flush completely to use the other..

[vette82forme]

my 97 camaro had that dexcool (agent orange crap) It turned everything real nasty. Bought new radiator and went to the green stuff and couldn't be happier. Drain the orange death from your car is is bad news for a cooling system.

[lostvette]

Prestone !

[1994MLC]

I'm glad this topic was brought up. A guy at work has been telling me that there is a Anti-freeze/Thermostat combination that helps with the persistent high water temp during hot summer days. Second hand information: replace thermostat with 160 degree Hypertech and use minus 40 degree advance antifreeze. Has anyone ever heard this? I need to do the research to make sure this antifreeze is compatible. The claim is that the operating temperature will be 20 degrees less.

[lostvette]

B/S!

[fishslayer143@yahoo.com]

don t believe everything you hear... read the label, it claims it works best with straight water.. there are a number of brands that have similar products....40 Below, Water Wetter ,etc...some claim they saw a few degrees improvement.. I haven t seen it ,tho. .. the most effective way is to reset your cooling fans on/off temps...or get a better Radiator

[vette82forme]

Best thing you can do is replace the radiator. At a 100-200 bucks it will be the best cooling upgrade you can do.

after that dexcool trashed my cooling system my camaro was always running hotter then normal. then it's plastic tank cracked and I bought a replacement one for 129.00 through autozone and new upper/lower radiator hoses.

Flushed system for about a hour and put new stuff in car, then used green extended life coolant and car runs great now. temps are at what I remember it acting like when it was new.

You won't regret a new radiator ... screw the additives no car should need that stuff if the cooling system is working perfectly.

[toobroketoretire]

Originally Posted by vette82forme

Screw the additives..........no car should need that stuff if the cooling system is working perfectly.

I agree. At the very best the additives will only reduce the temperature a few degrees. The "green" works well in everything but it does wear out and does need changing every two years. I have always used soluble oil in my cooling systems as it completely prevents the formation of hard deposits on the discharge ends of the radiator tubes and is perfectly safe to use with all metals. You can buy it from any auto parts store for about $20 per gallon but it does come in pint bottles for a lot less (but more per ounce naturally).

[1994MLC]

Originally Posted by vette82forme

Flushed system for about a hour and put new stuff in car, then used green extended life coolant and car runs great now. temps are at what I remember it acting like when it was new.

I going to go with system flush. I bought this car June of this year and I'm the third owner. I have no idea how old this red stuff is???? What's the best way to do the system flush yourself?