does anybody use this stuff instead of regular coolant? is it ok if you use water wetter if you change and clean the radiator out once a year? and if yes does it work?

It's only an additive to coolant/water mix, have wondered this before too.
They make an additive for diesel motors, I know from experience that it works great in race cars running straight water, something like 15-20 degrees colder.

I tried it in my old truck, a 98 1/2 ton with a 5.7 vortec. I didn't notice any temperature difference even when towing trailers very near the max rating for the truck. Some people claim modern antifreeze has the same properties, anyways. I've also heard mention that water wetter is not a good thing to mix with Dexcool. It didn't cause me any problems, but didn't do anything, either.

I've never had my dmax go above 200-205, if you're having cooling problems I think it will take more than water wetter to address!

THANKS for the advise. i can always depend on the diesel place when in need!:beerchug: :hug:

If you are worried about the engine temp, remove the plastic cover in front of the skid plate. If you dont have the skid plate, its drictly under the radiator, in front of the oil pan. Dramatic difference in engine temps - - lower.

If you are worried about the engine temp, remove the plastic cover in front of the skid plate. If you dont have the skid plate, its drictly under the radiator, in front of the oil pan. Dramatic difference in engine temps - - lower.


By doing that don't you have it so it will suck any and all trash up into the radiator airflow? I know here on the farm it will pick up leaves and other light debris and suck it right in there. I have to blow out my radiator at least once a year and usually more often.

No. The Deflector is below the radiator, All airflow is no below and behind the radiator. there are plastic shrowds/directors that put air towords the radiator. All the removal of this deflector does is let airflow past the lower part of the engine block and the oilpan.

ABSOLUTELY DO NOT MIX ANYTHING WITH DEXCOOL. Dexcool is an organic acid based coolant. It is one of GM's crappier ideas. It is not tolerant of any additive not already in it. If you mess up the chemisitry, you will most likely leave yourself open to pit corrosion on the cylinder cooling surfaces. Very ugly way to destroy an engine. In addition, it does not leave any protection on any surface when removed. Only protects when in contact with a surface. Dexcool has a history in diesel engines which is not all that stellar.

I'm switching to a glycol based extended life heavy duty coolant very shortly. Did my research. Warranty issues? Let GM explain in court why they have a numerous specifications for glycol based coolants in heavy industrial and vehicle engines and not the D-Max.

just my two cents...

diesel777

you don't say if you are looking for lower ECT's, if so

your solution is in your signature. The billet grill (especially evil are overlays), and anything else you have done to the front end is deteriorating your airflow and heat rejection capacity. Seal the stack, remove the obstruction(s), and you'll be good. These trucks have no surplus of cooling air in hot wx. Take just a little away, and tow no more.

You can pull the splash guard, that does increase the undercarriage ability to evacuate cooling air from the fan shroud, but that guard is not the cause, it is the high pressure it forms that runs over the top of the cover, into the lower motor bay. Seal off the space between the rad and the splash guard, if you want to evacuate more stack air.