Cooling System Service Special

[jake75]

Dealer e-mail: Cooling System Service includes 1. Draining cooling system, 2. add 1 gal of antifreeze/coolant, 3. inspect all belts and hoses. $49.95. Wonder why this does not say "replace coolant"? Typically coolant is diluted 1:1 with water so I guess 1 gal of coolant ought to fill the Vibe.At 24 months (3 years ago) I replaced coolant per maintenance schedule in manual. Cost then was $59.95. Dealer used Dexcool - a 5 year coolant -saying that was what was in there. But if it was Dexcool why did the manual say repalce at 24 months. Dexcool has a reputation for gelling. I figure if I change it every 3 years it ought to be good.

[ToolGuy]

Quote, originally posted by jake75 »Dealer e-mail: Cooling System Service includes 1. Draining cooling system, 2. add 1 gal of antifreeze/coolant, 3. inspect all belts and hoses. $49.95. Wonder why this does not say "replace coolant"? Typically coolant is diluted 1:1 with water so I guess 1 gal of coolant ought to fill the Vibe.At 24 months (3 years ago) I replaced coolant per maintenance schedule in manual. Cost then was $59.95. Dealer used Dexcool - a 5 year coolant -saying that was what was in there. But if it was Dexcool why did the manual say repalce at 24 months. Dexcool has a reputation for gelling. I figure if I change it every 3 years it ought to be good.This is the step where the dealer replaces the coolant. 2. add 1 gal of antifreeze/coolant Even though it does not state it is mixed, I am sure the dealer knows this because every type of coolant is mixed. The original fluid in the Vibe is Toyota long life and is 24 months. If you dealer replaced it with Dexcool, that is just fine. Dexcool is fine in vehicles and will not cause damage or gell... In contrary to what is on the net, this topic came up on a Corvette forum I belong to which is run by technicians. My friend, C4C5 is a GM World Class Technician and this is what he said on the topic when someone posted a class action lawsuit found on the net."HI there,Man, is that pathetic????Lawyers, who dont know ANYTHING but how to make money.The Dexcool gelling in the S/T blazers was contamination from the factory. Thats why we had the flushing process, personally I do agree with that part of it.As for the 3.1 3.4 3.8 intakes, the plastic carrier for the oring seals was cracking, thus the leaks. Thats why they were redesigned with a steel insert at the cracking points, so the orings seal and NOT crack from overtorquing. The lower fluid level, created a jell typed substance in the cap and certain parts.It wasnt because of the Dexcool, stupid people who bring lawsuits and try to bundle all failures of intakes with the Dexcool in the trucks.TESTING is critical to Dexcool effectiveness.If you test it yearly, keep your level correct and do not have any gasket seal leakage, you will be just fine.Allthebest, c4c5"So was there an issue in some vehicles with Dexcool? Yes. BUT the issue was intake gasket related and when a dexcool system is low on fluid, gelling can occur.

[jake75]

My uncertainly was - since the Vibe takes 1.75 gal of coolant, and the "price" includes 1 gal coolant, is this service going to involve a charge for an additional gallon of coolant in additon to the $49.95.Questions spurred by your comments - 1. If the original coolant was Toyota Long Life - why was the change required at 24 months?2. If my concern about gelling is not valid, perhaps I am wasting money by replacing the 5 yr Long Life Dexcool after only three years. (I only drive 6,000 miles a year).

[ToolGuy]

Hey! Sorry I should have stated, Toyota's "long life" is just two years. It is really extended life. I did my own car and bought the Toyota coolant and come spring it will be time to change again. And I see your toughts on the coolant amount now. The only thing I can think of is the email is worded generically and not car specific. Similar to when I got tire rotation coupons for my Corvette from a dealer I took it to once. With two different sized rims and directional tires, there is no way to rotate! Well, on replacing the Dexcool at 3 versas 5. You could at 3 years have it tested, then that would tell you where you stand. Or may be go to 4 years before changing. Also look at your hoses in 3-4 years to see if they should be replaced. If so, then do the coolant too at that time since 6,000 miles a year is not much.

[jake75]

As an exercise in caution rather than logic/fact I will probably get my coolant replaced. Lord knows I have not spent much - correction "anything" - beyond routine maintnance on this 2003 Vibe bought 1-27-03. I refuse to pay the dealer $$$ to "inspect this, inspect that". If it breaks, I will address it at that time. I considered trading on a 2008 but the numbers were not good enough. I may consider trading on a 2009 as my wife likes all the safety additions. [When I say "trade" I mean buying new and selling my used privately - I only trade cars in that I would not feel right in selling to someone.] Or I may drive this for another 5 years and spend the money I save on upgrading to Heineken from Natural Light.

[ToolGuy]

Yeah I hear ya! My cars do not ever go to the dealer after the warranty. I am lucky I can do it al myself. I agree though, if it is not broken do not fix it! My Vibe like yours has been trouble free and now I own it so I will be keeping it for a few years more. In this crappy economy here in Mich, it is too risky now to venture into another car payment and if I or my wife lose our jobs, we do not need two car payments hanging over us! Anything to keep the bills down...