Dex-Cool? or no Dex-Cool?

[3puttpar]

I have a hunch I might rekindle a holy war here, but...

I purchased my Linhai 260 on Wednesday with 600 miles on it. I'm told all the original fluids were changed, but I don't want to take any chances so I'm purging all fluids immediately.

Based on several posts that recommend "formulated for aluminum" and "silicate/phosphate free", I wanted Zerex G05, but nobody has it in stock in the handful of places in my area--including Advance, Napa, Walmart, K-Mart, etc. But I noticed that Prestone Dex-Cool covers both criteria. So I bought some yesterday.

Since then I discovered the google search at the bottom of each Scootdawg page that lets you search more than a couple of months into the past without timing out. I found some non-sticky threads that suggest Dex-Cool might be an exception to the aluminum/non-silicate/non-phosphate requirements. But it seems all those posts are 3 or 4 years old. A couple of posts in the last couple of months still recommend it.

I can get the G05 from Napa if I'm willing to wait a few days, but I'd like to get this done tonight or tomorrow morning. I plan to flush the cooling system clean before filling, so whatever is there now should pretty much be gone.

So bottom line... Should I refill with the Dex-Cool? Or should I return it and get something else?

Thanks Dawgs!

--Ron

[3puttpar]

I jest re-read my post. I think I wasn't entirely clear, so I'll reword:

It seems that some older posts suggest that even though Prestone Dex-Cool meets the "for aluminum" and "silicate and phosphate free" requirements for use in our liquid cooled scoots, it has some quality issues and should not be used. Or at least it had some problems at the time.

Is this still the case? On the surface, it seems to be a perfect fit.

[bhinch]

Welcome to scooter ownership....most folks use 50/50 Prestone. I used coolant made for aluminum engines and that was 4 yrs ago and I have not had any problems. Enjoy your ride...

[tangojetta]

Napa has Zerex G05 or Motorcfaft ( same as G05)

[oldkid]

Do Not use Dex-Cool. I have 3 GM cars or trucks but it's best to even get it out of them after a couple of years. I replace it with Prestone Long Life Antifreeze (the kind that mixes with any color or type of antifreeze) . It is made for all vehicles, aluminum or iron or combination.
Dex-Cool has been reported to gum up the system if mixed with another type of antifreeze.
In summary, there are several good types of antifreeze that list the same as Prestone and can also be used, but Dex-Cool is not one of them.

Google Dex-Cool info. for additional if you wish.

[ltdhpp]

I am an auto mechanic - Dex-Cool MUST be drained/flushed regularly or it will turn into mud. I have seen many many MUD filled GM cooling systems in cars with less than 100,000 miles on them. Im not sure exactly what does it, but as stated above, it is standard practice to get the red dex-cool out and replace with the yellow long-life stuff at my shop.
It may be just fine in a scooter if you drain/fill every season, since scooters generally get less miles than cars, but Id get the yellow stuff and not worry about it as much.

[rapidjim]

I concur with the above mechanics.

Dex-cool is not good stuff and causes clogging in automotive coolant systems. We do the same as others and flush it out and readd 50/50 regular green anti-freeze. Keep in mind todays cars have aluminum heads and I have not seen any issues with regular anti-freeze use, as long as you flush the old dex cool out.

We have also used the "mix with anything" antifreeze without issues.

Jim/Owner
Rapid Repair

[3puttpar]

Thanks for the advice guys. I returned the Dex-Cool and got the Prestone Extended Life 50/50 in the yellow jug.

[kpdiver]

Jun 9, 2012 9:50:46 GMT -5 ltdhpp said:

I am an auto mechanic - Dex-Cool MUST be drained/flushed regularly or it will turn into mud.

Thanks for that info. I recently flushed my system and replaced with Dex Cool. I checked the level the other day and my cap was "muddy." I'm going to drain and flush today, then replace with Prestone. Does anyone know the capacity of the cooling system in a 250cc scooter?