I wish I could remember the arguments, but I recall a thread on here concluding that your proposal is not as straightforward as it sounds. I’d research a bit more if I were you!
2008 SAAB 9-5, G48 coolant instead of DexCool?
Hey all,
I know factory fill on the 9-5 is DexCool starting from 2002 and up. What I wanted to ask is if I could switch from the DexCool that I currently have in my 9-5 to a blue G48 formula coolant like the pre 2002 9-5 had as well as OG9-3, later C900 and 9000s and NG900 had.
Not sure if it will play nice with the seals or if it'll be perfectly fine! I do think it will be perfectly compatible since the B235R in the Viggen uses G48. Not sure how much was changed when they switch to DexCool. Not saying DexCool is bad but I would be leaning towards switching to G48 unless I'm told otherwise...
Sometimes I just get the feeling that SAAB switched to DexCool because of pressure from GM. I have a bunch of bottles of concentrate M-B Q1030004 coolant that I'd love to put into my 2008 9-5. I run this M-B G48 coolant in my 94' C900 Turbo and my 89' 9000 Turbo with really favourable results!
If I make the switch I will do proper flushing procedures with distilled water until all the orange stuff is out, had to do the same on my 9000!
What do all of you think?
I know factory fill on the 9-5 is DexCool starting from 2002 and up. What I wanted to ask is if I could switch from the DexCool that I currently have in my 9-5 to a blue G48 formula coolant like the pre 2002 9-5 had as well as OG9-3, later C900 and 9000s and NG900 had.
Not sure if it will play nice with the seals or if it'll be perfectly fine! I do think it will be perfectly compatible since the B235R in the Viggen uses G48. Not sure how much was changed when they switch to DexCool. Not saying DexCool is bad but I would be leaning towards switching to G48 unless I'm told otherwise...
Sometimes I just get the feeling that SAAB switched to DexCool because of pressure from GM. I have a bunch of bottles of concentrate M-B Q1030004 coolant that I'd love to put into my 2008 9-5. I run this M-B G48 coolant in my 94' C900 Turbo and my 89' 9000 Turbo with really favourable results!
If I make the switch I will do proper flushing procedures with distilled water until all the orange stuff is out, had to do the same on my 9000!
What do all of you think?
1 - 6 of 6 Posts
The Dexcool was really keeping down corrosion and deposits in my 2003. I'm not sure if the coolant was ever changed until I did it at 200,000 km. And it's readily available and inexpensive. I see no advantage to going to G48.
But if you insist, drain your current system and see what it looks like, including the thermostat. If it looks fine, refill with Dexcool. If you don't like what you see, do a thorough flush with water (remembering the heater shut-off valve if your car has one), and then refill with what you like.
But if you insist, drain your current system and see what it looks like, including the thermostat. If it looks fine, refill with Dexcool. If you don't like what you see, do a thorough flush with water (remembering the heater shut-off valve if your car has one), and then refill with what you like.
I would love to read that thread! I have done lots of research on the topic but wanted to start my own thread here to see what people thought. Thanks!I wish I could remember the arguments, but I recall a thread on here concluding that your proposal is not as straightforward as it sounds. I’d research a bit more if I were you!
I have no issues with my cooling system and I change my coolant regularly with 50/50 DexCool and distilled water. Coolant always comes out super clean so I think I may just stick with the DexCool!The Dexcool was really keeping down corrosion and deposits in my 2003. I'm not sure if the coolant was ever changed until I did it at 200,000 km. And it's readily available and inexpensive. I see no advantage to going to G48.
But if you insist, drain your current system and see what it looks like, including the thermostat. If it looks fine, refill with Dexcool. If you don't like what you see, do a thorough flush with water (remembering the heater shut-off valve if your car has one), and then refill with what you like.
The problems with Dex-Cool show up when you mix it with other coolants. You'd be fine to switch to G48 if you make sure that every last trace of Dex-Cool is flushed from the system. My mom's 1997 Pontiac came out when all of the horror stories of Dex-Cool were coming out. A lot of those issues were caused by faulty radiator caps and mixing it with other coolants, but I switched it to the green coolant that GM also sold at the time to avoid any of that. We had no issues with the car before or after the change in the 150,000 miles or so that my parents put on it before selling it. If you're not having any problems with Dex-Cool, I'd hesitate to switch it, like some others have mentioned. You can also get the stuff at any auto parts store, but G48's mostly just available at BMW and Mercedes dealers. I use BMW G48 in all three of my Saabs, but they're old enough that that's what they had from the factory.
1 - 6 of 6 Posts
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