YACT: Dex-Cool or ordinary Antifreeze?

[FrustratedUser]

Some GM (maybe others too) use the Dex-cool antifreeze that is supposed to last 150k miles / 5 Years.
What is the difference between that one and ordinary plain antifreeze. I know they should not be mixed but replacing Dex-cool with ordinary should be OK right?

 

[LAUST]

Regular has phosphates and crap in it that eat your waterpump seals.

Dexcool is much better, all the vehicles in my sig use it and have been for years with no problems.

 

[RGN]

Dex-cool also eats gaskets and Aluminium. My parts have a 97' Surburban with 67K on it, and it started leaking antifreeze. It turn out that the coolant has eaten the intake manifold gasket. The dealer commented that if it was the smaller engine, the heads would probely have to be replaced because of extreme corrosion. I did a bit of good 'ol research and was able to conclude that if your car came with Dexcool, it should use it. If it didn't, you should not. Apperently it DOES have adverse reactions with Aluminum.

 

[FrustratedUser]

My car came with Dexcool but after my Intake manifold repair I changed to ordinary stuff.
It's not bad is it?

 

[LAUST]

I have Iron block, Aluminum heads and a composite intake manifold, 1999 with just shy of 70K miles, no problems.