Coolant Discussion

[Preloader]

I have wanted to replace my coolant for a while. I don't care for the menstrual colored fluid that comes stock in our Sonics, and I will be losing quite a bit when I finally relocate my coolant reservoir.

Is there anything special about this pick coolant? Or can I just flush it out and replace it with a 30/70 of standard Green Anti-freeze Coolant?

 

[lambertsonic]

I'm pretty sure dexcool is 50/50 water coolant .

 

[Preloader]

Cool. Here in the Bay Area, CA I've always ran 30/70. We don't get extreme temps either hot nor cold.

 

[theenico]

You'll want to flush as much of the Dex-cool out as possible if you are going to put the green stuff in. It turns to a peanut buttery gelatinous cooze when mixed with traditional green coolant. The alternative is to use some of that new-fangled yellow universal coolant. Your cooling system will stay cooze free.

 

[Preloader]

Well I'm glad I asked.

I may consider thinning out the left over dexcool with water when I do my relocation project. And save the flush and green for later when I hit 30k and desire are coolant flush for maintenance purposes.

 

[Kuntryboy865]

Is the sonics engine aluminum? Because if it is i heard you cant use certain anti freeze as it will eat away at the aluminum.

 

[Preloader]

The block is not, but the head is.

The Sonic has good head.

 

[GeneralZod]

There is a specialized coolant the hardcore LT1 racers used. It was perfect for the reverse flow setup and kept the heads cooler by a substantial amount.

The issue was only that coolant goes in and the engine must be 100% purged.

If I find it I will post. I would advise using the universal, like Nico said, you will end up with a disaster.

 

[GeneralZod]

Coolants » Engine Cooling Systems

There ya go. I never used this in automotive. I use this on 454s and 502s in marine applications. It was sold close to my marina. Those were the race engines. It got my dad to use it on his boat in diesel.

I think it works the same a synthetic oils. The chemistry is very formal in structure. Since a high rate of the molecules are the same, there is no boil off or hot spots.

I can say this, the heat exchangers lasted longer, and I could advance the timing. Boat engines get really hot as they are doing 4-6k RPMs for long cycles.

 

[whitnith]

Dexcool is the GM approved coolant.

I could see GM voiding your engine warranty if you are using a different coolant and have problems. It would easy for them to pin it on, and difficult for you to prove otherwise.

You can mix it at 50/50 or 30/70, it doesn't matter.

 

[Preloader]

Good to point out for others reading this.

But warranty is of no concern for me.

 

[sx sonic]

Preloader- Dex Cool is nothing fancy and IMHO it is not wise to leave in an engine for a long time (like 5+ years). An Nico said it turns to fudge if the wrong coolant is added to it, similary it just becomes very nasty with age. Look in the coolant resevoir or radiator of any of your buddies early 00's or 90S GMs, I will bet it looks like someone ran oil thru the cooling system.

As has been mentiond Dex Cool is GMs baby and is unique. Because of its formulation it doesn't mix well with conventional green and possibly serveral other alternative coolants. Fournately there are many coolants that are Dex Cool compatible but consist of a different.... read better formula. (Also compatible coolants should not void warranty).

A dex cool compatible coolant would be my pick but no matter the choice flush out as much of the old crap as possible. I've disconnected the lower radiator hose and flushed out the system with a garden hose many times. Quite effective but it will leave trace amounts of hard water, which you may or may not agree with.

 

[GeneralZod]

A dex cool compatible coolant would be my pick but no matter the choice flush out as much of the old crap as possible. I've disconnected the lower radiator hose and flushed out the system with a garden hose many times. Quite effective but it will leave trace amounts of hard water, which you may or may not agree with.

If you are worried about hard water, a shop vac hooked up to the bottom hose and opening the top side works well. Flush with some distilled water and shop vac again.

At that point Evans Cool can go in. With the LT1 and Evans Cool, the LT4 knock sensor wouldn't kick down the timing keeping power that would be lost due to knocking.

 

[Preloader]

Relocated 5" to the right.

 

[GeneralZod]

Where might this be going?

 

[Preloader]

I would hate to cover up my shiny Kawi Green charge pipe, when it arrives, with a hot ugly coolant reservoir.

Honestly, I imagine hot air will have a much less restricted path to my hood vents with it moved over.

 

[GeneralZod]

Ahhh, charge pipes. You are so getting a larger turbo in the future.

 

[Preloader]

Not anytime soon. But it's nice to know that I will have plenty room.

I'm going with DDMW's hard tube.

Also that tank was smack dab in the middle of the hood vents and its been driving me nuts since the day I put the hood on.

 

[buck]

Waterless Coolant

If you want to get rid of the red stuff, you might consider going to Evans Waterless Coolant. As the name says, it is waterless, and has a boiling point of 375F. The only catch is you must remove all the water from the system by using their flush. Go on the web to check them out, and watch the clip by Jay Leno concerning their product.

 

[GeneralZod]

Didn't I say that and even used it in marine applications?

Anyway, marine is a different animal.

Pre, you say that now. I see a bigger snail in your future. It just is...