Dex Cool Issues - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

jacob_coulter · 10-01-2008, 05:47 PM

On a 1999 Boxster, I wanted to use Prestone brand Dex-Cool. I have done a lot of searching and I've found that Havoline and Texaco DexCool are acceptable, but I can't find an answer on Prestone's version of DexCool.

Is it alright to use? Is there a better alternative? I can't imagine the two brands being that different, but I would rather be safe than sorry. I already purchased some Prestone Dex Cool, but I can take it back if necessary. All I seem to be able to find in the stores in my area is Prestone's version.

Thanks for the help!

Lil bastard · 10-01-2008, 09:58 PM

If you'd rather be safe than sorry... go with Havoline or Texaco Dex Cool... I don't understand ... where's the problem ??

jacob_coulter · 10-02-2008, 07:36 AM

My problem is finding the Havoline brand of Dex Cool, it doesn't seem as if the stores in my area carry it, but they all carry Prestone's version.

Also, if the Prestone Dex Cool formulation is indeed different, or has the ability to ruin my cooling system, it would probably be a good issue to clarify for other Boxster owners who may be in the same boat I'm in.

If I really wanted to err on the side of being safe, I would just buy the Porsche brand of coolant for $50 a jug (which is absurd). I was hoping someone on the board would have some extensive knowledge about what coolant brands would be compatible.

Tool Pants · 10-02-2008, 07:56 AM

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=4165&hl=audi

lizBox · 07-21-2009, 03:37 PM

ok, I know coolant flavours have been beaten to death on this and other forums. But I gotta ask yet another time.

I have been to every single auto parts store in my area. No one has any of the brands listed on Mike Focke's page or the various other threads.

I can find Prestone Dex Cool. I can not find Havoline or Texaco Dex Cool. Is Prestone Dex Cool the same? Any issue with using it if i do a through flush first?

My local Porsche dealer claims that the *only* time they use Porsche coolant is when they're refilling entire system under warranty work. Else they top it or fill it with generic Prestone. This comment has made me even more leery about taking the boxster in to them. I may have to drive to another dealer that's 2.5 hours away.

jmatta · 07-21-2009, 05:51 PM

I recently flushed and re-filled my coolant when I changed to the LN low temp thermostat. Purchased two gallons of "official" Porsche coolant from Pelican for $33 a piece; not worth risking anything else for pennies, IMO.

JFP in PA · 07-22-2009, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmatta

I recently flushed and re-filled my coolant when I changed to the LN low temp thermostat. Purchased two gallons of "official" Porsche coolant from Pelican for $33 a piece; not worth risking anything else for pennies, IMO.

Next time, try Sunset Porsche, recent purchases of coolant was in the $24/gal range...........

JFP in PA · 07-22-2009, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizBox

ok, I know coolant flavours have been beaten to death on this and other forums. But I gotta ask yet another time.

I have been to every single auto parts store in my area. No one has any of the brands listed on Mike Focke's page or the various other threads.

I can find Prestone Dex Cool. I can not find Havoline or Texaco Dex Cool. Is Prestone Dex Cool the same? Any issue with using it if i do a through flush first?

My local Porsche dealer claims that the *only* time they use Porsche coolant is when they're refilling entire system under warranty work. Else they top it or fill it with generic Prestone. This comment has made me even more leery about taking the boxster in to them. I may have to drive to another dealer that's 2.5 hours away.

If you could see the nightmares we have had to deal with that were caused by mixing the OEM coolant with aftermarket stuff (gelled lumps in the cooling system, plugged radiators, etc.), as well as the service bills they caused, you would view the use of the OEM coolant as cheap insurance…………

urban_legend · 07-22-2009, 04:36 PM

They claim to be Porsche approved and when I called they claimed to be the OEM provider. Said Dex Cool is fine and all the same formulations.

In any event, I would just do the flush and refill procedure and not sweat it that much. The problems, as far as I can tell come from mixing different coolant types, having the wrong proportions, or not using distilled water.