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FREEDGUY 
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Joined: 15 Apr 2017
Location: South West Mich
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 Topic: Coolant color ?
Posted: 14 Nov 2018 at 6:20pm |
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The wife runs a '11 Dodge Caravan. She came home saying that it blows NO hot air on any position setting. The coolant level is up where it should be, but I noticed that the needle on the gauge was still very close to the "C" on the gauge after 45 minutes of driving. My thoughts are a faulty thermostat but am wondering what is the proper color of coolant to "top off" the system after the t-stat replacement. Thanks
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DiyDave
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Location: Gambrills, MD
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Posted: 14 Nov 2018 at 6:29pm |
Should be in the owners manual, or just google it. Another thing you could try is to slip a piece of cardboard, fronta the radiator. Also possible that you gots a bad heater control, or a bad heater... 
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FREEDGUY
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Posted: 14 Nov 2018 at 6:33pm |
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Thanks, And the "control" gizzmos would be just my luck, LOL!! $$ wise.
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desertjoe
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Posted: 14 Nov 2018 at 6:38pm |
Whatever you do,,,DO NOT mix the red with the green or your engine will have a clobbered up mess AND you will not enjoy having to flushing out the whole system. Check your owners manual or call the dealer Service Manager.
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FREEDGUY
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Posted: 14 Nov 2018 at 6:46pm |
To "Joe"  . BTW, the "manual" is basically a cheat sheet for limited info. We are supposed to download a PDF? file for detailed info. WTH ??
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Thad in AR.
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Posted: 14 Nov 2018 at 7:03pm |
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In the past year I’ve been running universal coolant from NAPA in everything.
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JC-WI
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Posted: 14 Nov 2018 at 7:30pm |
 Or it will look like this if mixing...
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He who says there is no evil has already deceived himself
The truth is the truth, sugar coated or not. Trawler II says, "Remember that."
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FREEDGUY
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Posted: 14 Nov 2018 at 7:43pm |
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YIKES !!
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john(MI)
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Posted: 14 Nov 2018 at 7:48pm |
I seen one like that but the gunk was pink and it had the consistence of wax.
You might want to check under the hood and make sure the control cable going to the heater hose control is still working. Also, I hope it ain't a head gasket.
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D14, D17, 5020, 612H, CASE 446
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FREEDGUY
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Posted: 14 Nov 2018 at 7:57pm |
John, 
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Ted J
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Posted: 14 Nov 2018 at 7:58pm |
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Seeing as you are driving a Dodge, (Chrysler product) I would think you need the Green stuff.
Dexcool is the orange crap that GM came out with and as yet is still making it, but there are several law suits about it and I think it will disappear some time down the road.
Here's a little something I found.....
Can I mix green coolant with orange coolant?
This is one of those questions usually asked after the fact, and usually engine damage has already occurred. The green and orange coolants do not mix. When mixed together they form a gel-like substance that stops coolant flow and consequently the engine overheats.
There are some coolants that claim compatibility with Dexcool (ORANGE), but I would rather err conservatively and add what the system is supposed to take rather than gamble. To guard against major engine failure, read on.
What exactly happens when these coolants are mixed?
The coolants chemically react and form a gel rather than a liquid. The coolant stops flowing through the system, clogs up coolant passageways and water jackets, radiators, and heater cores. The water pump overheats and fails due to a lack of lubricant in the coolant. Head gaskets blow, heads warp, and the engine suffers major damage.
If I have Dexcool in my car can I leave it in for the life of the car?
GM suggests flushing Dexcool for the first time at 150,000 miles.
What exactly is Dexcool?
In the 1990s GM introduced an engine coolant called Dexcool. It's supposed to last 5 years or 150,000 miles but there have been problems with this coolant. Cooling systems that use Dexcool exhibit more acid buildup and rust in the system when the coolant level gets low and oxygen is allowed to enter the system. The acid eats away at head gaskets and intake gaskets. Rust builds up in the system, inhibiting coolant flow, which causes overheating.
Hope this helps ALL youse guys who are wantin to know...
Edited by Ted J - 14 Nov 2018 at 7:59pm
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"Allis-Express"
19?? WC / 1941 C / 1952 CA / 1956 WD45 / 1957 WD45 / 1958 D-17
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Dnoym N. S. Can.
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Posted: 14 Nov 2018 at 7:59pm |
Be care full with universal coolant
it could mean it good for gas or diesel you can get antifreeze that good for
any colour but i feel that it best to used the same colour that in the system
B:-) Dnoym
Edited by Dnoym N. S. Can. - 14 Nov 2018 at 8:01pm
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steve(ill)
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Posted: 14 Nov 2018 at 8:26pm |
"universal" is BS... GREEN is the old stuff, good for a couple years YELLOW "extended" is its replacement and is good for 5 years. ABout 10 years ago GM went to an OAT antifreeze which is ORANGE and called DEXCOOL... FORD went to the same antifreeze about 2012- 2013 depending on what model car / truck you have.... Within a few years EVERY car and truck will standardize on the ORANGE or DEXCOOL.. or same FORD spec.
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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steve(ill)
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Posted: 14 Nov 2018 at 8:30pm |
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Your 2011 DODGE, "probably" uses the Extended life YELLOW / GOLD stuff. verify in the book.
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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HD6GTOM
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Posted: 14 Nov 2018 at 8:44pm |
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I just went thru this with an 07. Did you pull the rad cap and look inside. My overflow jug was full but the rad took a whole gallon of universal coolant. I replaced the rad cap at the same time. That was over a month ago, rad is still full today.
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FREEDGUY
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Posted: 14 Nov 2018 at 8:57pm |
 HD6GTOM wrote:
I just went thru this with an 07. Did you pull the rad cap and look inside. My overflow jug was full but the rad took a whole gallon of universal coolant. I replaced the rad cap at the same time. That was over a month ago, rad is still full today. |
No on pulling the cap, just looked at the canister. Apparently I need to dive in a little deeper!! Thanks to everyone that replied !!
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FREEDGUY
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Posted: 14 Nov 2018 at 9:04pm |
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Wife just did a google search, definitely yellow coolant, and the probable issue is the water pump?? OMG !!
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iowallis
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Posted: 14 Nov 2018 at 11:24pm |
With my 2001 Dodge Dakota i've been through 3 colors of coolant. The 1st 2 was what I got from the Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Ram dealer with the 2nd color being and "upgrade" from the original color. I think it was blue and turned into red for the upgrade. Both were about $18.00 a gallon. Took it to my local mechanic to replace the hoses and radiator flush. He switched it to Dex-cool. About $7.00 a gallon.
Reason to go to the mechanic the last time? Coolant recovery bottle was low so added some "universal" coolant. Checked it a week later and the fluid was brown. Was about 5 years from the last flush/hose change so had the hoses/coolant replaced. Universal coolant isn't "universal". Stick with the same color!! I did a complete flush and notated on the cap of the recovery thank that it now takes Dex-cool.
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