Car is leaking antifreeze

2002 CADILLAC DEVILLE
155,000 MILES • V8 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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MARKVELLUTATO
  • MEMBER
  • 43 POSTS
I have a small antifreeze leak and i can't see where it is coming from. I know i need to get a pressure check and it could be one of many things including a crack in the overflow plastic jug, a hose, water pump, radiator, etc. I'm just a little short on cash to take care of this right now and i'm buying a gallon of the "Dexcool" antifreeze every 2-3 weeks. Since i'm losing the antifreeze, can i just buy put in the cheaper "non-Dexcool" antifreeze and when i get the problem fixed, get a flush and fill with the "Dexcool"? Thanks!
Sep 14, 2020 at 10:12 AM
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DANNY L
  • AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I'm Danny.

To answer your question. No,you can't mix conventional coolant- polypropylene glycol with DexCool. They don't mix. If you don't have access to a cooling system pressure tester most auto parts stores have a tool loaner program and can rent you one. Once there is a leak in the system and air is introduced to DexCool it gets really messy and starts to harden.I would suggest fixing the leak sooner than later to avoid messy flushing issues and a clogged radiator and cooling system.Here is a tutorial showing how to flush a radiator and what's involved:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolant-flush-and-refill-all-cars

Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.
Sep 14, 2020 at 2:17 PM
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