Dexcool vs Old Reliable Green: Fluid Swap? 00-06 5.3 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Sweet 72 · 02-27-2015, 06:56 PM

I'm considering a complete flush of my cooling system on my 2003 suburban. It has 109,000 miles on the original 5.3 ltr engine. What I am curious about is if anyone has flushed their system and replaced it with the green? I am aware that once you add green to the cooling system there is no reversing it back to dexcool, from what I have been told. I've heard that the dexcool has taken out gaskets prematurely and that would be the main reason for the fluid swap. Has anyone done it? Any pros or cons on the fluid swap? I am planning on keeping the rig for a while and do not want to cause greater heartache.
Thanks in advance to all replies.

Sweet 72 · 02-27-2015, 07:18 PM

Just purchased last weekend.
2003 Suburban with 109,000 miles on the original 5.3 ltr engine.
4x4, quad captain seats, LT packages, dvd player, clean carfax, clean title.
Purchased it for $7100

iluvmy72 · 03-08-2015, 08:01 PM

stay with the dex cool...but have the dealer flush it every 20,000 miles.....going to a 3rd party with Jose working on it might ruin it and put in the green stuff.

**LEEVON** · 03-08-2015, 09:39 PM

You could put anything in it...but just stick with the dex cool. I would recommend a full flush, however you can accomplish that. We use Peak Global in my shop with BG products cleaner and additive. If your system is "normal" meaning it hasn't gelled or rusted or anything like that it will still benefit from the flush. The additive, especially corrosive inhibitors and lubricants break down over time and 12 years/109,000 miles is a long time!

Obviously the pros outweigh the cons. It's unlikely that a flush will cause problems but your cooling system is like any other system that relies on the performance of a liquid to maintain the system. It's a complex balance of temperature, flow, and pressure. Sometimes we see failures due to increased flow (replacing a water pump) or increased pressure (fixing leaks).

4x4toy · 03-09-2015, 05:13 AM

Replace your cap on the degas bottle too. If it is not holding pressure correctly you will have problems also. Stay with Dexcool.

02-27-2015, 06:56 PM	#1
Sweet 72 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bend, Oregon Posts: 367	Dexcool vs Old Reliable Green: Fluid Swap? 00-06 5.3 I'm considering a complete flush of my cooling system on my 2003 suburban. It has 109,000 miles on the original 5.3 ltr engine. What I am curious about is if anyone has flushed their system and replaced it with the green? I am aware that once you add green to the cooling system there is no reversing it back to dexcool, from what I have been told. I've heard that the dexcool has taken out gaskets prematurely and that would be the main reason for the fluid swap. Has anyone done it? Any pros or cons on the fluid swap? I am planning on keeping the rig for a while and do not want to cause greater heartache. Thanks in advance to all replies.

02-27-2015, 07:18 PM	#2
Sweet 72 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bend, Oregon Posts: 367	Re: Dexcool vs Old Reliable Green: Fluid Swap? 00-06 5.3 Just purchased last weekend. 2003 Suburban with 109,000 miles on the original 5.3 ltr engine. 4x4, quad captain seats, LT packages, dvd player, clean carfax, clean title. Purchased it for $7100 Attached Images

03-08-2015, 08:01 PM	#3
iluvmy72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Springville, UT, USA Posts: 1,010	Re: Dexcool vs Old Reliable Green: Fluid Swap? 00-06 5.3 stay with the dex cool...but have the dealer flush it every 20,000 miles.....going to a 3rd party with Jose working on it might ruin it and put in the green stuff.

03-08-2015, 09:39 PM	#4
LEEVON Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 4,893	Re: Dexcool vs Old Reliable Green: Fluid Swap? 00-06 5.3 You could put anything in it...but just stick with the dex cool. I would recommend a full flush, however you can accomplish that. We use Peak Global in my shop with BG products cleaner and additive. If your system is "normal" meaning it hasn't gelled or rusted or anything like that it will still benefit from the flush. The additive, especially corrosive inhibitors and lubricants break down over time and 12 years/109,000 miles is a long time! Obviously the pros outweigh the cons. It's unlikely that a flush will cause problems but your cooling system is like any other system that relies on the performance of a liquid to maintain the system. It's a complex balance of temperature, flow, and pressure. Sometimes we see failures due to increased flow (replacing a water pump) or increased pressure (fixing leaks). __________________ '86 GMC C30 Crew ~ '86 C20 Crew ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '74K10 ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids

03-09-2015, 05:13 AM	#5
4x4toy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Southern Md Posts: 228	Re: Dexcool vs Old Reliable Green: Fluid Swap? 00-06 5.3 Replace your cap on the degas bottle too. If it is not holding pressure correctly you will have problems also. Stay with Dexcool. __________________ 04 Yukon XL 2500 w/ Quadrasteer 61 Chevy C60, 261 inline six 86 Chevy C20 2wd, Banks 6.2 05 GMC Sierra 2500hd Duramax

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