TSB #00-06-02-006D:

Engine Coolant Recycling and Warranty Information (Aug 15, 2006)

Partial .. regarding coolant supplement


Sealing Tablets

Cooling System Sealing Tablets (Seal Tabs) should not be used as a regular maintenance item after servicing an engine cooling system. Discoloration of coolant can occur if too many seal tabs have been inserted into the cooling system. This can occur if seal tabs are repeatedly used over the service life of a vehicle. Where appropriate, seal tabs may be used if diagnostics fail to repair a small leak in the cooling system. When a condition appears in which seal tabs may be recommended, a specific bulletin will be released describing their proper usage.


Water Quality
The integrity of the coolant is dependent upon the quality of DEX-COOLŽ and water. DEX-COOLŽ is a product that has enhanced protection capability as well as an extended service interval. These enhanced properties may be jeopardized by combining DEX-COOLŽ with poor quality water. If you suspect the water in your area of being poor quality, it is recommended you use distilled or de-ionized water with DEX-COOLŽ.

"Pink" DEX-COOLŽ
DEX-COOLŽ is orange in color to distinguish it from other coolants. Due to inconsistencies in the mixing of the dyes used with DEX-COOLŽ, some batches may appear pink after time. The color shift from orange to pink does not affect the integrity of the coolant, and still maintains the 5 yr/150,000 mile (240,000 km) service interval.

Contamination
Mixing conventional green coolant with DEX-COOLŽ will degrade the service interval from 5 yrs./150,000 miles (240,000 km) to 2 yrs./30,000 miles (50,000 km) if left in the contaminated condition. If contamination occurs, the cooling system must be flushed twice immediately and re-filled with a 50/50 mixture of DEX-COOLŽ and clean water in order to preserve the enhanced properties and extended service interval of DEX-COOLŽ.

After 5 years/150,000 miles (240,000 km)
After 5 yrs/150,000 miles (240,000 km), the coolant should be changed, preferably using a coolant exchanger. If the vehicle was originally equipped with DEX-COOLŽ and has not had problems with contamination from non-DEX-COOLŽ coolants, then the service interval remains the same, and the coolant does not need to be changed for another 5 yrs/150,000 miles (240,000 km).

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other ...

GM no longer endorses universal use of seal tabs. Procedures have been specifically written on their use. When a condition appears in a GM model where seal tabs may be beneficial, a specific bulletin is released, describing their proper use.

Customer Satisfaction Program 03034, dated 7/7/03 advices the use of the seal tabs. This applies to specific 3.8L engines only, and is in effect on specific engines mfg until July 31, 2005. After performing the procedure in the bulletin, be sure to install a recall identification label to the vehicle to indicate that the seal tabs have been installed.

If seal tabs were installed in a vehicle at the factory, it’s OK that the proper amount of tabs be installed if the coolant must be drained and replaced.

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A couple things to point out regarding the TBA ...

1. The concentration of the ginger root ( coolant supplement) should be maintained and an excess of the supplement can and will lead to clogs. We have known that for much longer than GM has advised. We see that quite often as no interior heat, where the heater core is plugged and we have to advice reverse flushing it. MUCH less often, we see that in radiator clogs.

One has to use some degree of judgment when replenishing coolant as to the decision to add or to not add more. How the coolant is maintained determines whether the supplement has to be replenished. Drain it on a tray or tub, look at the coolant, then decide what amount of supplement should be added. I never add more than TWO on any engine UNLESS the rare event of back flushing was done where all the supplement was flushed out.
NEVER EVER drain it on the street or where it can pool .. ITS highly TOXIC and animals love the taste.

In the pre-Northstar engines, that is more critical. The Northstar not so much. It has to do with both POROSITY of the castings, differences of design of the coolant systems, and machining practices.

2. Most CRITICAL .. GM's advice continues to lack sensitivity to the owners and bows to the EPA - maybe they have no choice. We, the owners do have a choice and we know that TWO YEARS is what makes sense to replenish the coolant whose corrosion protection is depleted enough in about two years of metal contact so that the headgaskets often can and are compromises in thousands of GM cars.

This writer strongly believes that whatever money is spent every other year (after the initial 5 years) on maintenance of the cooling system is well worth it. The cost of replacing headgaskets on a Northstar is often the determining factor to junk the cars.

3. This writer also believes that all coolant changes outs should be done with a 50/50 mix of mineral-FREE water and coolant. Using water with minerals (tap water) can and will promote the scaling of the cooling system. In some cars, FORD included, DISTILLED water is specifically called for and in fact, such labels are attached to some cars.

4. Aside accidents, two mechanical issues send most cars to the local junkyards: timing chain failure & headgasket leaks. The cost of repairing those two issues often exceeds the market value of the cars.



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