I see that some of you don't use dexcool in your cars. Would this
also apply to newer cars such as 07's? Or is the factory
recommendations correct?

"Ted" <> wrote in message news:
I would hope your 06 07 chevys would keep their
coolant long enough for the waranty to expire.
So, I'd say keep using Dexcool that long.
The concept of 'long lasting' coolant is assuming
there will be no leaks of coolant, which isn't really
a certain idea. The same goes for my '01 Malibu
transaxel. There is no dip stick or way to add
trans fluid, again GM assuming that there will
be no leaks, not a good idea to me.

On Feb 20, 11:42*am, "Russg" <russg... (AT) MUNGEsbcglobal (DOT) net> wrote:
I was wondering about that...the manual says that after so many miles
the fluid has to be changed. So do they just drop the pan? Or do they
pump it out?

"Ted" <the_busmaster (AT) msn (DOT) com> wrote

On Feb 20, 11:42 am, "Russg" <russg... (AT) MUNGEsbcglobal (DOT) net> wrote:
I was wondering about that...the manual says that after so many miles
the fluid has to be changed. So do they just drop the pan? Or do they
pump it out?

Hi guys,
We have 3 Chevys and have used Dexcool since it was introduced, and have not
had any corrosion issues with it. We test the acidity every spring and
replace coolant if it starting to turn acidic. We have run our 3.1 V6
engines long miles, one to 300,000 and have never had any gasket leaks. The
secret is to change the coolant immediately when it has the slightest
indication of any acidity.

As for the "no dipstick" transmissions, we have changed the oil and filter
at the 160,000Km (or 100,000Mile) point and found them exceptionally clean,
and the fluid level good.

We are having some PCM issues with our 06 Malibu due to the temperatiure
extremes; it doesn't like the coolant being much warmer than the outside
air, but at -35 C that will happen. It would be "educational" if one of the
GM engineers would take his Chevy to Northern Sask. and walk at -50
windchill for a few hours when the block heater makes the PCM go whacky!

Good luck!
David

snip


'changed the oil and filter'..... how do you do that?
I don't think the oil drain and filter access are where
the owner/user can get at. Seems like there is a fill
hole, somewhere deep on the belly, but it isn't a drain
hole.
As for 'drop the pan', I think that is an older concept
when there was an oil pan on the bottom of the engine
that served the crankcase. I don't know how the
transaxle fluid filler, drain and filter can be accessed.

snip
How you test the pH? I've never heard of ordinary
(Prestone, Zerex, ethylene glycol, or the non-toxic
kinds) anti-freeze getting 'acidic'. Seems like I don't
see any advantage to Dexcool except I guess GM
has a patent on it.

"Russg" <russgilb (AT) MUNGEsbcglobal (DOT) net> wrote

We purchase litmus test strips from our local auto parts jobber. A bottle
of 50 goes for about $30.00, but that is immaterial compared to the cost of
radiators and engines.

Just follow the instructions on the bottle and the results are usually
clear.
David

"Russg" <russgilb (AT) MUNGEsbcglobal (DOT) net> wrote

We remove the pan. We examine the residue in the bottom of the pan, which
is usually very little. With the pan removed, there is easy access to the
filter. We also use 2 people and remove one of the transmission cooling
tubes at the rediator. One person cranks the engine while the other
watches the open cooling tube. When the fluid flow ebbs, we quit cranking
the engine and reconnect the cooling tube. This method removes almost all
of the old fluid from the torque converter and the tansmission. We like to
measure the fluid removed and replace the same quantity, and do the "up and
down" thing to ensure the tranny is full. Add 1/2 pint at a time, warm the
engine and fluid, then test the side plug for a full tranny. Keep doing
this until fluid runs out the side plug when it is removed. These trannys
will usually operate well when slightly (up to 1/2 pint) overfilled.
Most shops will not go to this effort, but it pays off. We have never had
any GM automatic transmission failures; we put several hundred KMs on our
vehicles and drive them till someone crashes into them and they are written
off.

David

"David" <> wrote in message news:
would seem requires professional work, as the ordinary owner won't know how
or be able to do the jumps through hoops to drain, change filter and re-fill
the tranny. I'm pleased to learn that GM puts tranny cooler on, or is that
on other models than Malibu?
I believe that a tranny dipstick is a good idea, a simple way for the owner
to tell if the fluid is up to level and not yellow or off color or smelling
burnt.

"Russg" <russgilb (AT) MUNGEsbcglobal (DOT) net> wrote

My 1969 Buick had a tranny cooler, as has everything I have owned or seen
since. I can't remember if my 1960 Chevy had a cooler; it was the old 2
speed "Pwereglide" which never gave any trouble.
David