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Warranty Issue on antifreeze?

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Old 11-06-2007 | 07:16 PM
  #11  
an08HHR's Avatar
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I had a 99 Silverado w/dex cool and after a few yrs it began to turn brownish. Read that there were a lot of problems at that time. Also have an 02 Impala with it and it seems to be fine (time to change it since the time limit is up)
I hope GM has solved the earlier problems
Old 11-06-2007 | 08:13 PM
  #12  
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
Originally Posted by HHRcheater
I had it in a 99 Grand Am and a 2001 Malibu, both with V6 engines and both had corrosion/sludge problems. In the Malibu, it had even ate threw the head gasket.
I had a 2001 Malibu. I was lucky, piston slap claimed the engine before the coolant could. 24,000 miles and GM gave me a new motor due to the slapping

Technically the coolant issue would have been the lower intake manifold gasket failure problem that plagued those engines. Even my 2003 Malibu (I was a sucker for punishment) had the lower intake manifold gasket failure early on in it's life.
Old 11-06-2007 | 09:22 PM
  #13  
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From: North Tonawanda, NY
Smile Antifrezze Change

I had a '96 GMC Jimmy V6, 10* outside and I had steam coming out from under the hood. Only had 42,000 miles on it. Took it to the dealer and had it power flushed and refill with the old stuff.
I had to pick up the bill, and was told it would not void the rest of the warranty.
Also had a similar problem with a 2001 Chevy Blaser S10 with V6 and 56,000 miles. This time I drained it out and bought a power flush tool kit. Once again I installed the good old stuff.
Old 11-06-2007 | 09:41 PM
  #14  
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From: Centralia, Missouri
Originally Posted by BlackHHR06
I had a '96 GMC Jimmy V6, 10* outside and I had steam coming out from under the hood. Only had 42,000 miles on it. Took it to the dealer and had it power flushed and refill with the old stuff.
I had to pick up the bill, and was told it would not void the rest of the warranty.
Also had a similar problem with a 2001 Chevy Blaser S10 with V6 and 56,000 miles. This time I drained it out and bought a power flush tool kit. Once again I installed the good old stuff.
Let me guess, both were the 3.4 V6? I've had tons of problems with every 3.4 V6 I've had. The head gaskets are only good for 70,000 miles or less. I've been told it's because of the dex cool antifreeze. Seems if GM knows it's a problem, why haven't they fixed it after so many years? I was looking very serioulsy at the Malibu Maxx, but it has the same 3.4 V6. After seeing the HHR, it was an easy decision to go this route.
Old 11-06-2007 | 09:55 PM
  #15  
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The Only Problems I Have Ever Seen With Dex-cool Was When Something Was Added Or Mixed In And Contaminated The Coolant
Old 11-07-2007 | 06:37 AM
  #16  
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Properly maintained, and a Dex Cool system will out last a normal antifreeze.

Key is, maintain. Most completely ignor the cooling system until something happens.

It will void your warranty to switch it out.
Old 11-07-2007 | 10:34 AM
  #17  
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Joined: 11-10-2006
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From: Montana
Originally Posted by Snoopy
HHRcheater.....

Can I ask which engines AND what year, make of vehicle they were in????

I have some LIMITED knowledge reagarding the previous warranty issues and DEX-COOL. You do realize.......

the formulation of the present Dex-Cool is completely different since those problems (probably because of those problems).

the Dex-Cool....cooling sludge/engine failure problem.....was limited to certain types of engines (other vehicles, in the GM product line, experienced no problems with Dex-Cool.

I would suggest, because of the design and components of this engine, you have nothing to worry about. Especially since the formulation is different.

You do what you think is right. But as a warning, the entire change of the type of coolant specified COULD void any related warranty issues. From simple but expensive things like radiators, water pumps, to heads, valves, and entire engines.

Oh, and as I mentioned some time ago (in a related thread), I was one of the field test vehicles (personal vehicle) for Dex-Cool. Have had it in EVERY car since then...never experienced a problem OF ANY KIND>
What Snoopy said I know that the older S-10 blazers with the 4.3s tended to get very dirty inside the cooling system in a fairly short amout of time I'm not sure why. As for the 3.1 and 3.4 I think the leaks had more to do with poor gaskets and loose intake bolts rather than the coolant itself. GM has somewhat recently came out with revised bolts and different gaskets for these engines. Most of the problems I see (coolant related) is when someone puts the old green coolant in place of or mixes the dexcool because the components aren't designed to be used with the old stuff. The alluminum in particular suffers by getting eaten away. I've seen alot of gasket surfaces destroyed that way. Anyway your warranty will be void if you change it.
Old 11-07-2007 | 04:24 PM
  #18  
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From: Joppa, Maryland
I guess I'm leaving it in then. Thanks for the advice......Now, when the engine blows up, I want all the names and addresses of those who advised me on this....
Old 11-07-2007 | 05:20 PM
  #19  
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There have also been claims that some repair shops and quick lube places were intentionally damaging or contaminating cooling systems just to get people to change back to the green stuff.
Old 11-07-2007 | 09:57 PM
  #20  
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From: North Tonawanda, NY
Smile Antifreze Change

Just to set the record stright, I do all my own repairs. Why would I pay another mechanic when thats what I do to make ends meet.
Yes it has the 4.3 V6 in it. I checked with my ex shop leader on warranty coverage by switching coolant's. He seems to think he saw a memo on just this.
I'll get back to all ASP.


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