Well let the Games begin!


Just happened to put my finger down inside the " coolant reservoir " (not sure if this is correct). The color was definitely not an orange kool-aid clear color. It was a little thicker and almost brownish. Would this be tranny fluid or oil getting into the coolant. There was nothing wrong with the oil and tranny fluids on their dipsticks. Car ran find around the few blocks that I took it. No unusual noises coming from the engine. There was a little white smoke when first started it up, which has been only started up 3 or 4 times in the last 6 weeks. The white smoke quickly dissipated and was non transparent after a few minutes.

 

If its tranny fluid, your finger will come out grungy. My guess would be its just old coolant, or somebody added a stop leak at some point. In any event, if the coolant hasn't been changed in the last couple years, it would be a good idea to change it now.

 

Depending on the brand the coolant may be green, red or orange

There was a time that the color indicated the type mix but no longer
It may be that you have had 2 colors added to the system causing an off colour

My suggestion is to drain the coolant using the drain tap below the radiator
Once you have it all out refill with plain water while having the ign on for 10 mins. This will run the aux pump (and s/c pump for the xjr) and circulate the coolant.
Now drain it again and refill with the correct coolant

If you raise the front of the car so the tank is the highest point and run the aux pump for 5-10 mins it will bleed out the air
Next run it up to temp (with heater on full) and let it cool and top as needed


Now you know the coolant is good run the car for a few days an recheck the coolant color

Cheers
34by151

 

+1 on old coolant or past stop-leak.

 

And...don't forget the blue color that the German cars use. I bet you could come up with any color you like with mixing and matching!

 

I looked over the service records and the last one was in February. Everything came out looking good accept a small oil leak. What a relief.