Do I use Dexool Antifreeze?

[ericv1984]

I was driving last night, heard a noise, thought nothing of it and turned the car off to go in a store. Got back in my car, then my car was having a hard time starting but eventually I got it started long enough to get it home. While on the way home, my oil light came on and my car's temp. gauge was getting dangerously high. Got home and realized the coolant cap had popped off, not all the way but enough for all the coolant to run out.

Now I have no coolant. I checked the oil also since the oil light came on and the oil level was perfect. So I'm thinking the oil light came on to warn me of the coolant level even though there is a separate light for the coolant? But my question is, do I have to use Dexcool for the coolant? Cause I have none and I want to put some in to get me to the autoparts store. All I have is half a bottle of coolant that I used for my old Hyundai, although it's green but I'm not sure of the kind. All I know is it's Prestone brand 50/50. I don't know the exact type cause the label is rubbed all the way off. I think it's the kind where it says you can add it to any color coolant but I can't be sure and I do NOT want to risk ruining the motor (Even though my car is a POS).

Would it be safe to put that in it? Before adding it, should I attempt to drain whatever coolant is left then add it? Or is it better if I just put in straight water for now then then drain the water out when I get the correct coolant?

 

[ericv1984]

I also want to be able to add some so I can idle the car and check to see if I see any signs of a blown head gasket. As is right now, I don't see any signs but that's with the car off. Cause if it is blown, I'll just scrap the car.

 

[melsg5]

i would just add some water. Buy the coolant and tomorrow drain about one gallon and put one gallon of straight antifreeze in. Sorry you are having such a hard time with the car.

 

[ericv1984]

i would just add some water. Buy the coolant and tomorrow drain about one gallon and put one gallon of straight antifreeze in. Sorry you are having such a hard time with the car.

I was going to put water in but didn't have time since I went out of town for the weekend. We stopped at Walmart on the way back home so I just got some Dexcool while I was there. Put it in first thing this morning and let the car idle. It seems to idle and run fine, just like it did before the coolant cr@p. So thank god the head isn't blown from it almost overheating.

Ran a few errands this morning after I put the Dexcool in, temp. gauge rests at 180 with the engine warm.

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[melsg5]

glad to hear you got this problem resolved

 

[sunfire2door]

Hmm i have dexcool in my 01 sunfire but i use regular coolant to top it off...is that bad for the engine? will that kill the longivity of the engine?

 

[melsg5]

You can use any aftermarket coolant that is labeled compatible with Dexcool. It is not a good idea to mix non-compatible coolants.

 

[Raverockstar]

I was driving last night, heard a noise, thought nothing of it and turned the car off to go in a store. Got back in my car, then my car was having a hard time starting but eventually I got it started long enough to get it home. While on the way home, my oil light came on and my car's temp. gauge was getting dangerously high. Got home and realized the coolant cap had popped off, not all the way but enough for all the coolant to run out.

Now I have no coolant. I checked the oil also since the oil light came on and the oil level was perfect. So I'm thinking the oil light came on to warn me of the coolant level even though there is a separate light for the coolant? But my question is, do I have to use Dexcool for the coolant? Cause I have none and I want to put some in to get me to the autoparts store. All I have is half a bottle of coolant that I used for my old Hyundai, although it's green but I'm not sure of the kind. All I know is it's Prestone brand 50/50. I don't know the exact type cause the label is rubbed all the way off. I think it's the kind where it says you can add it to any color coolant but I can't be sure and I do NOT want to risk ruining the motor (Even though my car is a POS).

Would it be safe to put that in it? Before adding it, should I attempt to drain whatever coolant is left then add it? Or is it better if I just put in straight water for now then then drain the water out when I get the correct coolant?

Ok. What u have is something you have to take care before motor will go bad.

Coolant doesn't just get empty. You have a leak its either intake gasket or water pump together. The car didn't start cz it has coolant in the cylinder.

Now about the oil light. It's cz u. Need to reset or maybe cz u got coolant in the oil tank. Check dip stick for milky color.

And about the coolant. U can't mix dex with other coolant. Must have a complete flush before u mix. It's says what coolant u need on the reservoir tank.

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[Raverockstar]

Hmm i have dexcool in my 01 sunfire but i use regular coolant to top it off...is that bad for the engine? will that kill the longivity of the engine?

Yes it's bad.

U gonna have sludge.

U can't mix coolant. Flush it all. And then use whatever u want.

 

[ericv1984]

Ok. What u have is something you have to take care before motor will go bad.

Coolant doesn't just get empty. You have a leak its either intake gasket or water pump together. The car didn't start cz it has coolant in the cylinder.

Now about the oil light. It's cz u. Need to reset or maybe cz u got coolant in the oil tank. Check dip stick for milky color.

And about the coolant. U can't mix dex with other coolant. Must have a complete flush before u mix. It's says what coolant u need on the reservoir tank.

You need to read before posting since I have ALREADY FIXED THE PROBLEM. And I do NOT have a leak since I had already said the cap came loose and I already said I checked the oil.