Coolant "tabs" -- yes or no

[Notaguru]

Some people say "don't leave home without 'em", and others say "GM no longer recommends 'em". I talked with a Cadillac dealer's service manager who says they don't use them.

I saw one comment saying "Use only the genuine GM tabs, P/N XXXXXX", and another that says "Bar's Leaks is identical and cheap".

Some have said "Grind up the tabs" and others say "Bar's Leak gold-colored powder".

And finally, I saw "Never use the liquid" and "The liquid is just the powder in suspension and works fine."

Well, reports suggest that on my '90 4.5 the cooling system is perhaps the Achilles heel, so I'd like to get it exactly right.

???

[Dave S Texas]

Your cooling requires using them. Maybe the new cars don't need them, but the 4.9/4.5/4.1 cooling systems do. GM #3634621/AC Delco #10-108. Crush 'em up.

[HUF]

Yes.

[Rodya234]

Oh by all means yes.

With an aluminum block engine its important to use coolant tabs, because over time coolant can become acidic and create porosity in the block. If you don't want to use the tabs, at least pour a little baking soda into the coolant every year or so. Its a natural anti-acid.

[quins90lac]

i don't use them but i also change my coolant every year right before winter.

[AMENCADDY]

couldn't hoit Recently there was a thread here with all Daboyz about it where come to find out the tabs are nothing more than ground ginger root and golden seal. Weird! Nah, for real?