Coolant
Thread Starter
Joined: 01-06-2012
Posts: 1
From: East Syracuse NY
Coolant
I've been a member of this forum for a while and am just getting around to reading through all the HHR maintenance tips to keep my 2011 running well and have been focusing first on the stickies. As most forums I visit people are directed to look at the stickies first.
I came across this sticky about Dex Cool. https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/main...l-26659/page3/
The last post on this sticky states that it is not a problem to add green coolant to Dex Cool in a pinch. I own two other older GM vehicles so I spend quite a bit of time on those other forums where Dex Cool topics also come up a lot. Every other forum and even general web searches turn up strong warnings about mixing green coolant with Dex. It seems there is unanimous consensus to never mix green coolant with Dex as failure/damage is imminent. I think that last post ought to be removed to avoid someone in a hurry from making a really big mistake. I don't want this to come across as a personal attack, but I think it could be a dangerous piece of information, especially as the last post in a sticky. Unless I'm completely mistaken about the dangers.
I came across this sticky about Dex Cool. https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/main...l-26659/page3/
The last post on this sticky states that it is not a problem to add green coolant to Dex Cool in a pinch. I own two other older GM vehicles so I spend quite a bit of time on those other forums where Dex Cool topics also come up a lot. Every other forum and even general web searches turn up strong warnings about mixing green coolant with Dex. It seems there is unanimous consensus to never mix green coolant with Dex as failure/damage is imminent. I think that last post ought to be removed to avoid someone in a hurry from making a really big mistake. I don't want this to come across as a personal attack, but I think it could be a dangerous piece of information, especially as the last post in a sticky. Unless I'm completely mistaken about the dangers.
Moderator
Joined: 01-23-2009
Posts: 26,540
From: Fredericksburg,VA
There are some "green" formulations that are labelled "universal".
"In a pinch" means if there are no other options. Personally, I would add plain water first if it's just a little bit.
The newer formulations of coolants don't seem to hate each other as much as they used to. There is a lot of old "gospel" running around out there. Like "you can't mix dino oil with syn".
One post at the end of one thread on a subject does not hold much weight. If you read any thread on the subject here I am sure that you will conclude mixing is a bad idea.
"In a pinch" means if there are no other options. Personally, I would add plain water first if it's just a little bit.
The newer formulations of coolants don't seem to hate each other as much as they used to. There is a lot of old "gospel" running around out there. Like "you can't mix dino oil with syn".
One post at the end of one thread on a subject does not hold much weight. If you read any thread on the subject here I am sure that you will conclude mixing is a bad idea.
Administrator
Joined: 10-13-2011
Posts: 40,096
From: Welland,Ont Canada
Just like you don't mix your drinks or you'll get sick!
Don't mix coolants!! I've got a 2006 Chevy Uplander in the shop now , why? Cause the owners quick lube shop topped the rad fluid up for her!
Did they use Dexcool??
Nope, and now her cooling system is gummed up because the two coolants turned into a slimy sludgy, slop the has her heater core plugged and mucked up her thermostat!
Did the lube shop owner want to come see the damage? Nope!
Did the lube shop owner want to pay for the repairs? Nope!!
The moron of the story is the lube shop
The moral of the story is Don't mix your coolants!
I'm fixing her car pro bono, she will pay for the parts and new Dexcool.
But she wouldn't have had to change her Dexcool till next year,
I changed the thermostat and Dexcool at 6 years in 2012.
Don't mix coolants!! I've got a 2006 Chevy Uplander in the shop now , why? Cause the owners quick lube shop topped the rad fluid up for her!
Did they use Dexcool??
Nope, and now her cooling system is gummed up because the two coolants turned into a slimy sludgy, slop the has her heater core plugged and mucked up her thermostat!
Did the lube shop owner want to come see the damage? Nope!
Did the lube shop owner want to pay for the repairs? Nope!!
The moron of the story is the lube shop
The moral of the story is Don't mix your coolants!
I'm fixing her car pro bono, she will pay for the parts and new Dexcool.
But she wouldn't have had to change her Dexcool till next year,
I changed the thermostat and Dexcool at 6 years in 2012.
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