Ed,

    Actually the Phoshate does the same to aluminum. the Phosphate protects
brass and copper. That's why there are two formulas. I didn't know about the
other problems you've covered, is there any brass or copper in Satuns and
chevies? What does VW put in Mexican jettas? It's pink/orange like dexcool.

Joe

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ed @ Automotive Consulting" <EdVF1000R@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, December 09, 2000 10:57 PM
Subject: Dexcool

> Hey folks - As a GM dealer tech (Saturn/Chevrolet) for the last 6 years,
my
> experience with dexcool is thus:
>   It fails. Early,often. It gums up heater cores and radiators. Lasts
nowhere
> near 100k as advertised, usually it goes away around 20-25k miles. It gets
> floaters in it and turns a sick brownish color.
>   GM has issued a couple of TSBs on this, saying the fix was to replace
the
> dexcool with more dexcool after a thorough flush.
>    According to GM, dexcool should never be used in cooling systems
> containing any soldered joints (I.E. brass radiators or heater cores)
because
> the organic acid base attacks the soldered joints.  This to me says
> "underdeveloped product" .
>     I, personally, would never use dexcool in anything, as i have never
seen
> it last over 45,000 miles, ever, in any application. I have seen an
average
> of 6 cars a day five days a week for 6 years.....
>    Just my 2 cents, and YMMV. - Ed
>