Gentlemen, I'm in a pinch. Is there a "specific" coolant I must use, or is it just ideal to use Jag spec? What coolant can be used if I don't have Jag spec on hand?

 

You can use any coolant that meets the specifications in the Owner's Manual or Workshop Manual. The Jaguar specification calls for silicate-free, orange coolant such as Dex-Cool, or Motorcraft and is NOT to be mixed with other types, such as the green coolant.

 

ugotmale, stick with a name brand coolant and you will be fine. The big thing I would say is to look at what is in the car (color wise) and try to buy coolant that is the same color. In short, the color signifies the make up of the coolant and there will always be questions of mixing 2 different colors together what may happen. Supposedly most of what is out there is compatible with the other colors, but do you want to be the one that has issues?

 

Revisiting this post. I've been topping off with Prestone Dex-cool Orange, I think my leak is at the water pump, and today I went to the parts shop to get some more dex-cool and the parts person at the counter questioned me on whether I was getting the right stuff. It's what I've been using and what was recommended. Nonetheless it caught my concern. How serious is it to use the wrong coolant??? They said I needed to be buying Pentosin Pentofrost SF. Ok, I thought, and I just bought the dex-cool since that's what I have in there. After thinking about all of this, do I really need to flush and refill my system with Pentosin? I flushed and refilled it with the Dex-cool a few months back and I've replaced the reservoir thinking it was where the leak was. I'll eventually have to do a flush again when i replace the water pump (presumably where the leak is). The impression i have is that my engine is not going to break down if I'm not using the exact coolant, although I certainly don't want to be ignorant to the situation so should I be using Pentosin?

 

ugotmale, if the Dexcool is able to be mixed with different types of coolant, then you are golden. sometimes the sales people like to get a little pushy and try to get you to buy a product that benefits them and no so much you.

 

You can use either the green/yellow ethylene glycol coolant or the red/orange Dexcool coolant. But don't mix them together because they can react together, polymerizing into a thick gel that blocks coolant flow.

More info here:

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/28/coolant-color/

 

Hi all, I am new to the group so please forgive my ignorance.
I have a 1964 MK 10 3.8 litre.
my manual doesn't state a particular brand or anything apart from "Coolant: Use Blue or Green Ethylene Glycol-based antifreeze and flush out every two years."
there is a Red Coolant that should last 5 years but it is recommended not to you as it should be flushed every two years anyway.
My question is, does the brand matter if the chemicals are accurate?

 

Hi all, I am new to the group so please forgive my ignorance.
I have a 1964 MK 10 3.8 litre.
My manual doesn't state a particular brand or anything apart from "Coolant: Use Blue or Green Ethylene Glycol-based antifreeze and flush out every two years."
There is a Red Coolant that should last 5 years but it is recommended not to use as it should be flushed every two years anyway.
My question is, does the brand matter if the chemicals are accurate?

 

@Mark 10. This is the forum for the X-Type (2002-2008). You might get more response from another forum dedicated to the older cars.

FWIW I use Autozone green coolant in my E-Type (similar engine - 4.2 vs 3.8) and flush / change every two years.

HTH, Dave

 

Mark10, for your year/model car, anything out there on the market is going to suit your needs. All of it is suitable for an aluminum radiator and any parts that may be in the motor. LIke it has been stated before, just don't mix colors. If you are going to change colors, then make sure to do a good flush. I would say if you are going to do a flush, drain the coolant, fill the coolant system with tap water to fill the system, run the car for a few minutes to circulate the water. Drain. Fill again but this time with distilled water. Run the car for a few minutes. Then do a final fill with coolant (or concentrate and distilled water mixed 50/50). You want the final flush with distilled to get rid of most of the chemicals that may hurt your car that are present in tap water.

 

Thank you. For you time to reply and concise explanation.
I will do that no worries.
You have a great day.
Kind Regards,
Mark10