I purchased a 2004 Buick Century with different coolant than Dex cool. Should I change it back?
Asked by winkylink Nov 02, 2017 at 08:25 PM about the 2004 Buick Century Custom Sedan FWD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
The vehicle I purchased had 56k on it (Buick Century 2004). The radiator and coolant system were clean as could be, but it had a yellowish type coolant. Of course this is not DEX cool. Should I flush it out and change it back to Dex cool. I Only have had the car about 2 months.
4 Answers
The yellow (prevalent in foreign car applications), is sometimes used when converting a system from Dexcool to the green type coolant. As long as the system was completely flushed, and Dexcool was completely removed from the system, it should be fine. Never mix Dexcool with non-Dexcool coolants (no matter if the coolant label states "compatible will all coolants" or not), as it will produce sludge. In newer all aluminum GM engines however, Dexcool should always be used, but I prefer to have it changed out every two and one- half years - any longer, and the coolant will build up a negative charge, and that will lead to deterioration of the head gaskets.
No problem. I had an ‘03 Century for about 8 years (I bought it in 2009), and practiced a routine maintenance schedule and it never gave me a bit of trouble mechanically. Unfortunately, it developed rocket panel rust, and became a little unsightly to use for work, so I sold it. The car gave 14 great years of dependable service (and still going strong), so I have no complaints. Great car.
