Which type of anti-freeze to use?

[RussJ]

After a water pump install, I am a little low on coolant. Would it be better to use the generic, "mix with any anti-freeze, in any vehicle" type of anti-freeze. Or is Dex-Cool okay? It's the only red stuff I can find short of going to the dealer and paying an arm and a leg for the Mopar stuff. Thanks!

 

[mberry]

I would recommend that you find a Cummins dealer and buy yourself a gallon or two there. That way there is no question you are using the right stuff.

 

[jwilliams3]

Dex Cool is what you want.

 

[rbattelle]

Dex Cool is what you want.

I disagree, jwilliams. The factory fill is HOAT, NOT Dexcool. If you need to add to the factory fill, use Zerex G-05.

Personally, I wouldn't let Dexcool in my garage, let alone in my vehicle. It has a nasty habit of turning into jelly, especially if mixed with another coolant that isn't compatible.

I'm running Fleetguard Compleat PG. 3 years, roughly 50k miles so far.

Ryan

 

[2broke2smoke]

i ran dexcool in my first gen and when i sold it at 275k the radiator looked like new ...



i've had it in the '01 for 50k ... and at 140k it looks perfect inside ...



'course i run it with distilled water also ... after flushing out the old



have you had any bad experiences with dexcool yourself ?

 

[rbattelle]

have you had any bad experiences with dexcool yourself ?

[Hangs head in shame]... no.



Some day I'll learn not to jump to conclusions. I have no personal experience with Dexcool, I only know what I've read and seen from others. #ad




Ryan

 

[Bob4x4]

The most important thing is to stay consistant with what you run. If you change types do a very good flush. I have seen some nasty gelling when some types are mixed.



Bob

 

[jwilliams3]

The Dexcool is a OAT fluid the one DCX uses is a HOAT fluid.



I have used Dexcool in my 99 and 04. 5 with absolutely no issues. If I do find some I will report them though.

 

[RussJ]

The most important thing is to stay consistant with what you run. If you change types do a very good flush. I have seen some nasty gelling when some types are mixed.



Bob

I've heard about coolant gelling and I sure as heck don't need any of that mess! I have three different types of anti-freeze sitting around but I don't think any of them are the right one. When the weather gets better I will probably flush and refill with normal anti-freeze, but for now I just need to top it off. I will have to look around some more and try to find some Zerex or Fleetguard. The service manual does a pretty good job of only reccomending Mopar fluids, so no help there. I guess it would have been to simple for them to just use the green stuff like others have been doing for decades. Change is'nt always good!

 

[16919]

I use the Fleetguard complete... have been for the last 5 yrs on two trucks. Works great! I also agree that if you change coolants you need to flush the entire system very well.

 

[SuperSteeler]

I've heard about coolant gelling and I sure as heck don't need any of that mess! I have three different types of anti-freeze sitting around but I don't think any of them are the right one. When the weather gets better I will probably flush and refill with normal anti-freeze, but for now I just need to top it off. I will have to look around some more and try to find some Zerex or Fleetguard. The service manual does a pretty good job of only reccomending Mopar fluids, so no help there. I guess it would have been to simple for them to just use the green stuff like others have been doing for decades. Change is'nt always good!

You can find Zerez G-05 at Napa. About $11 a gallon.

 

[WUnderwood]

have you looked at Evans Coolant?

it is pretty expensive, but some say is worth the cost

 

[MMeier]

Good ol' Prestone in my rigs. I do add some RMI-25 each time I service a vehicle also. So far, 175 k on the '03 and radiator is spotless inside.

 

[KZimmermann]

I second the Evans, good stuff, a little pricey though.

 

[KZimmermann]

Here is a link Evans