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Dexcool coolant ?

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
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mar601
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Dexcool coolant ?

Post by mar601 »

I just grabbed some coolant for my 98 S70 and after putting it in, it says "Dexcool" on it. I'm guessing it's ok to use rather than the universal I normally use? -- But it pays to ask. thanks

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amblerman
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Post by amblerman »

Our cars were not spec'd for Dexcool at all.

I have no idea if Dexcool will cause issues with any of the internals of our engines but it wasn't the coolant .

The main issues (If I understand what I've read in the past) about dexcool (especially in GM vehicles) is that some of the gaskets GM used weren't up to dealing with the 2EHA in dexcool and they got weakened and leaked. Apparently if air gets in system it's also bad news for dexcool coolant but I'm not sure that would come into play in a pressurized system in the volvos.

But it can also eat brass/copper apparently an I have no idea if that is an issue with Volvo engines.

I can't say one way or another if Dexcool is ok for these Volvo engines. However it definitely wasn't what was spec'd .

I have been running G05 for years without any known issues.

mar601
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Post by mar601 »

Ok thanks. Bought it in a hurry and didn't check. Sounds like I should drain it and put in the universal I've always used.

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wizechatmgr
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Post by wizechatmgr »

I'd get that dexcool out in a hurry...

Wisdom requires knowledge as a prerequisite, but knowledge can be developed due to a lack of wisdom.
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1999 V70 XC AWD 2.4 T -- ~231k miles
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MoVolvos
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Post by MoVolvos »

.
Good info on coolants.
.

.
Blessings,

BKM


2008 C30 T5 2.0 M66
2007 S60 2.5T - New Project
2003 S80 T6 Transmission DIED
2000 S70 SE Base - New Project
1998 S70 T5 Prior
1989 240 Wagon Prior

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MoVolvos
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Post by MoVolvos »

.
Story behind Dex.
.

.
Blessings,

BKM


2008 C30 T5 2.0 M66
2007 S60 2.5T - New Project
2003 S80 T6 Transmission DIED
2000 S70 SE Base - New Project
1998 S70 T5 Prior
1989 240 Wagon Prior

mar601
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Post by mar601 »

I only put in about half a container -- grabbed it quick because it said 50/50 and I assumed it was what I needed. After I put it in asked the guy at O'Reillys who didn't know anything about it. So right now there is 1/2 gallon in there mixed with the green I've always used.
-- Always something.

454cid
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Post by 454cid »

mar601 wrote: 10 Nov 2023, 16:28 I only put in about half a container -- grabbed it quick because it said 50/50 and I assumed it was what I needed. After I put it in asked the guy at O'Reillys who didn't know anything about it. So right now there is 1/2 gallon in there mixed with the green I've always used.
-- Always something.
"Green".... which green? The short life "traditional" green, or a newer "long-life" green by Prestone? Mixing Dex with "green" is supposed to be one of the big no-no's. It's probably best to drain and flush it. Fill it with one of the universals, G-05, or better yet a blue Euro-spec.

I'd recommend getting the concentrate. Otherwise you're getting a slight break in price in exchange for a 1/2 gallon of water. Distilled water is pretty cheap. I buy it at Menards, if you have one nearby. Look up the system capacity, fill it with half that volume of straight coolant, and top off with water.
1996 850
1999 S70 GLT (sold after deer hit)

2010 Ford Focus SE
2006 Cadillac CTS
1996 Mercedes C220
1999 Chevrolet K3500
1969 Buick LeSabre Custom 400

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MoVolvos
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Post by MoVolvos »

454cid wrote: 10 Nov 2023, 16:53
mar601 wrote: 10 Nov 2023, 16:28 I only put in about half a container -- grabbed it quick because it said 50/50 and I assumed it was what I needed. After I put it in asked the guy at O'Reillys who didn't know anything about it. So right now there is 1/2 gallon in there mixed with the green I've always used.
-- Always something.
"Green".... which green? The short life "traditional" green, or a newer "long-life" green by Prestone? Mixing Dex with "green" is supposed to be one of the big no-no's. It's probably best to drain and flush it. Fill it with one of the universals, G-05, or better yet a blue Euro-spec.

I'd recommend getting the concentrate. Otherwise you're getting a slight break in price in exchange for a 1/2 gallon of water. Distilled water is pretty cheap. I buy it at Menards, if you have one nearby. Look up the system capacity, fill it with half that volume of straight coolant, and top off with water.
It was 99 cents a gallon at Walmart the last time I purchased for the cooling system. Er but it could have been a few years ago.
.
Blessings,

BKM


2008 C30 T5 2.0 M66
2007 S60 2.5T - New Project
2003 S80 T6 Transmission DIED
2000 S70 SE Base - New Project
1998 S70 T5 Prior
1989 240 Wagon Prior

454cid
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Post by 454cid »

MoVolvos wrote: 10 Nov 2023, 17:01
It was 99 cents a gallon at Walmart the last time I purchased for the cooling system. Er but it could have been a few years ago.
.
$1.22/gallon for me, currently. I have some in the garage since I usually buy a case of three.
1996 850
1999 S70 GLT (sold after deer hit)

2010 Ford Focus SE
2006 Cadillac CTS
1996 Mercedes C220
1999 Chevrolet K3500
1969 Buick LeSabre Custom 400

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