Thread: Anti-freeze grief

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Well, I'm upset and about to cry.

I bought my '97 S-10 (4.3 engine) from my brother in May of '02. The truck had 88,000 miles on it at that time and I have put another 50,000 on it since then.

I'm getting ready to put in the THIRD radiator since I bought it. The last one quit radiating(?) after 13 months and 9,000 miles, and that's getting plenty old.

Is anybody knowledgeable about "Dex Cool" antifreeze and problems arising from its use? GM dictates that that's what is to be used.

Every time a raidiator failed it was clogged up with a thick, nasty red-brown glop that us Texas boys would say looks like "Red River Mud", and was leaking. I have also had to replace a heater core (clogged up and leaking) and three thermostats.

A professional mechanic buddy tells me that a flush out and repair would be a waste of time and money. He also told me that several attempts have been made to get up a class-action lawsuit against GM but he didn't know whether the efforts have been successful.

Can anybody tell me anything (besides maybe buy a Ford or Dodge)?

Thanks,


Jim

Okay Jim, how about Toyota!

Back when I was active in repair we were strongly warned against mixing the Dex Cool type product with any other chemistry, most especially the old standard ethylene glycol. I presume you knew that, but worth mentioning for discussion sake.

There's lots of "stuff" on the internet about this issue, and it seems worse in the 4.3 than in other applications, though not exclusive to it. Most commentary on the net seems aimed toward sueing GM in the end, and is short on analysis of cause, long on opinion that sounds fishy to me. Here's an article that deals with the chemistry and possible causes that are more plausible. Seems that hard water, air in the system, and operating with low coolant levels are repeat offenders; http://www.babcox.com/editorial/tr/tr110046.htm
See commentary about half way down page. Babcox publishes a number of magazines aimed at the automotive service industry.

Many thanks for the information, Uncle Bob.

The S-10 is my work truck and gets regular maintenance at a Kwik Kar shop owned and run by the mechanic I mentioned in the posting. Oil is changed reasonably regularly and other fluids are topped off, including coolant. He seems like a decent dude so I'm assuming that he doesn't top off with swamp water or something not compatible, but .......

With the last two radiators I did hear pronounced gurgling sounds a while after installing a new part but I don't remember ever finding the reservoir low, but it could have been.

That "Red River mud" is soupy crud and the radiator cap was covered with it. It looks like I neglect a good little engine.

I don't! I don't! I don't!

Maybe I should ask for a volume discount on radiators and quit bellyaching.

Thanks again,


Jim
Elder Geezer

I've never heard anything good about DexCool.... I'd switch it to something the actually works.... It's a cinch you couldn't hurt it anymore then it is.....

More info along the lines offered earlier, again from an industry support group not lawsuit happy and disgruntled (partly rightly) consumers; http://www.imcool.com/articles/antif...l-macs2001.htm
That video from GM might be helpful to expand the knowledge base of your trusted mechanic Jim.

I had the same problem with a 97 4.3 in an astro van. I finally cured it by flushing, flushing, flushing, and more flushing. It took several times, but the fluid finally started running clear.

I've used Prestone for years, with zero problems. I just pulled the radiator cap on my Jeep the other day after storing it for 6 months, and it is as green as the day it went in.

Sounds like GM might have a problem there.


Don

I have a feeling that what you are seeing may be the product of a leaky head gasket as well. While you may not have a coolant leak into a cylinder, you may be having a combustion gas leak into the water passages. The description of gurgles may be telling the story. Combustion gasses are under a lot more pressure then what a radiator cap allows, 14-16psig vs 150/200psig under just crank speed, much more when firing and if it is pinging, a whole lot more, so it can be a one way leak. "Way back when" Prestone used to have that kind of a problem as well.

Thanks for the information, gentlemen.

The constant rain we have been enjoying(?) for the last month subsided enough yesterday for me to pretty well determine that this radiator isn't leaking (the last two I put in definitely were) so I'm going to try to get the truck to a good radiator shop and have them flush the very devil out of the whole system and go from there. There are things I really enjoy doing myself when it comes to auto repairs but radiator work ain't one of them.

Neither is changing a muffler.

Denny, can you give me the name of that kit that detects combustion residues in coolant? Is it available at ordinary chain parts stores?

I made an effort to get whatever it was that was gurgling out of the system but it didn't work. My wife thought it was funny, but be that as it may, thanks to Denny and Dave both for the suggestion that it could be combustion gasses. Man! I sure hope it's not ......

And, Uncle Bob, I'm not out to sue anybody. I'd settle for a tearful apology.

Thanks again to everybody who responded.


Jim

Originally Posted by Big Tracks

And, Uncle Bob, I'm not out to sue anybody. I'd settle for a tearful apology.

Thanks again to everybody who responded.


Jim

My commentary was about the pitfalls of research, not my expectation of your motives. Unfortunately the net is full of distracting rants and short on legitimate cause and effective remedy.

[QUOTE=Bob Parmenter]My commentary was about the pitfalls of research, not my expectation of your motives. QUOTE]

I do realize that, Uncle Bob, and I very much appreciate your input on this subject and everything else you post.

As regards the net, I'm struck by the huge numbers of devoted lawyers who, solely out of the kindness of their hearts, want to help those of us who have clogged radiators.

Regards -

Jim

Originally Posted by Big Tracks

As regards the net, I'm struck by the huge numbers of devoted lawyers who, solely out of the kindness of their hearts, want to help those of us who have clogged radiators.

Regards -

Jim

I of course will bow to your seniority as the elder of CHR and your wisdom in acknowledging the philanthropy of the bottom feeders.........uh excuse me,....... honorable barristers.

Originally Posted by DennyW

A combustion test kit can be found at your local NAPA, auto parts store. The part number is 700-1006.

Good deal, Denny! There's one about a mile from here.

Thanks.

Jim