That 'premium' coolant was just dyed water and cost me a $600 head gasket job

Last month my 2005 Silverado started running hot. Guy at the parts store sold me some fancy orange coolant for $28 a gallon, said it was the best stuff for high mileage trucks. I figured he knew what he was talking about. Three weeks later I'm on the side of I-35 with steam pouring out. Took it to my buddy's shop and he tested the stuff I put in. It was basically water with food coloring. Flashed the temp gauge twice before it blew. Had to pull the heads and everything. Parts store guy was gone and nobody would take responsibility. Anyone else had parts store employees push something that did more harm than good?

2 comments

2 Comments

mitchell.nancy3d ago

Man that's just how it goes anymore, everyone's trying to sell you the fancy looking version of something instead of the real thing. It's like buying a "premium" sandwich at the gas station and finding out it's just cheap bologna with a fancy wrapper.

reese_patel3d ago

Test that stuff yourself before you dump it in next time, a cheap coolant tester from any auto parts store will show you if it's actually got the right mix. I almost got burned the same way until my mechanic buddy showed me how those dye jobs hide the fact it's just tap water and color. Save yourself the headache and buy the concentrated stuff you mix yourself, at least you know what's going in.