Do I have to use the orange stuff?

My level dropped after I took the upper hose off to remove the idler pulley.

So I added the green stuff.

Hope it won't hurt.

 

NO!!! Orange and green will gel inside your engine/radiator/thermo.

Call a jaguar mechanic, but I believe you're going to need that flushed.

 

Where's the drain?

 

Hi ant17
Also see post #5 and the PDF file in post#6 in this thread.
I did an extract PDF on changing coolant for 1998 XJ8 on 11/22/2010. The JTIS CD engine cooling system information resides in the XJ models 1998 section only (does not appear in any other sections for 2000-2003, it does appear separately for 2003.5 and 2004 year). So this PDF file also pertains to your 2003 XJ VDP. Unless your Jag is a 2003.5 VDP model. Look at post #2 PDF file attachment.
Here is the webpage link:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/j...78/#post273185


Jim Lombardi

 

Hi ant17
I just look under the radiator on your XJ8 and I could not see the radiator drain plug. I checked the JTIS instuctions again and it did not mention removing the splash shield. I found another write-up on the Jaguar UK forum that gives some great tips on the coolant r&i procedure. Look at the posting with date and time stamp of Sep 09, 2010 8:04 pm by djdex. Also read all the other posts in that thread (all good stuff on this subject).
Here is the webpage link:
Jaguar Forum.co.uk • View topic - Coolant change proceedure

I will try to find a diagram that show removing the radiator splash shield.
I found it and the radiator splash shield r&i PDF file is in post #6.

Jim Lombardi

 

Hi ant
I am posting this Radiator Splash Shield r&i in this new post and put a note in the post #5. I also added to post #5 more info on the UK forum thread on coolant drain, flush and refill procedures. See the bolded text in post #5.
Here is the PDF extract file:
2003 XJ Radiator Splash Shield r&i 76.22.90.pdf

Jim Lombardi

 

How much did you add ?? When you do a simple drain -- it does not all come out. If you did add a significant amount you could drain and fill with water (distilled to do it correctly) run it a while and drain - checking the color. Then if OK -- fill with the correct amount of concentrated fluid and water.

Looks like the one link is for an x350 - not an x308.

With all the fluids available -- its anybody's guess on the compatibility.

 

Flushed it the best I could, added orange back.

 

Where are you finding the orange stuff? I was at Autozone and the only orange they had was for GM cars and they said not to put it in there. They recommended the Auto Zone brand that is orange and can go in either they claim. I hust want to top off with the correct antifreeze.
Thanks Shawn

 

Here is Jaguar's answer to your question. Take it for what it is worth. (some people don't care and put whatever they want)

I keep the proper fluids in my shop because I don't need any legal battles with incompatible fluids.

bob gauff

 

Engine Coolants

This does a good job of explaining the differences and effects.
In some cases with some vehicles, Orange while being an extended life composition, is not recommended.
Also explains that mixing the Green and Orange can cause precipitation (sludge).

Either by itself should be OK, as long as the prior is flushed.

Orange is LONGER life.

In any case, they should be changed to maintain corrosion inhibition properties.

Dave

 

Hi
I just took these photos:
Our 2001 XJ8 engine compartment - Coolant Reservior (coolant information):



Prestone Dexcool rear label image showing specs: (Prestone Dexcool label - Meets GM6277M, Ford WSS-M97B44-D, etc)





Prestone Dexcool Jug image:



Prestone Dexcool orange color:



Advance Auto Parts - Prestone Dexcool information:

Buy Prestone DEX-COOL® 50/50 Prediluted Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant AF850 at Advance Auto Parts_____

AutoZone Prestone Dexcool information:

Prestone/1 gal. 50/50 Dex-Cool antifreeze and coolant (AF850) | Antifreeze | AutoZone.com_

I used this coolant the last time I had the coolant flush and coolant replacement along with new thermostat tower and thermostat.

Jim Lombardi

 

USE THE CORRECT FLUID!

I don't understand a lot of people on this forum -- everybody is looking to somehow save $10.00 every three or five years when the fluid needs to be changed

The correct fluid from the dealer (or online) is around $25.00 - it is so easy to do it correctly with no worries. I dump the radiator and add the factory fluid and a gallon of distilled water -- less than $30.00 ??? The aftermarket stuff is the same price! ...... because you need to purchase two gallons of the 50/50??

listing a minimum specification and then inferring that the factory fluid is the same specification is incorrect -- and you can no longer go by color ..... the cap and label are only accurate at the time of production.

 

Hi
One of the reasons might be that there are no Jaguar dealership located within 15 miles. We used to have one about 5 miles from us before the US economy slowdown.

Ebay has a 4 liters (4 - 1 liter bottles *** about 1 gallon) of Jaguar Coolant (part#JLM209722) $34.99 free shipping:

JAGUAR Antifreeze JLM 20972 2 by Havoline 4 Liters | eBay

Jaguar Coolant (part# JLM209723) 1 gallon (5 liters Jug) at Jaguar dealership retail price is $56 (online) discounted to $44.69; you will have to put the part number and select Jaguar:

Jaguar Parts Center - Call (800) 510-1401 for Genuine Jaguar Parts and Accessories


Jim Lombardi

 

Another reason - we are not all living in UK or USA For example here in Bulgaria the official dealer does not sale antifreeze for Jaguar... most of the UK sellers on ebay don't ship to East Europe, and the shipping from USA to here takes more than a month and when the winter has already began, the only choice I had was to look for another antifreeze brand which is approved by Daimler Jaguar... in my case - YACCO (a french company with very good quality) which cost me more than 80$ for 6 liters of ready-to-use cooling fluid.

So... "USE THE CORRECT FLUID!" is a good thing if we all can afford it

 

You can use Aral coolant, the orange one is the blue can(all are blue at them) with a yellow line on the top of it,equivalent of 8 dollars per litre concentrated. I use it in my Land Rover and Jaguar without problems. All the fluids are very expensive at the dealers(100 USD per litre gearbox oil),the top brands for oils and other ones are cheaper in any parts shop.

 

Hi yeldogt
What is the Jaguar part number and the number of liters for the full strength Jaguar coolant you are buying from your local Jaguar dealership for $25? Also where can we find it for $25 online?

Jim Lombardi

 

Jim: I'm not currently at the house where all that information is located.

Just to clarify a few things. I always recommend to new owners that they go over and order a few parts from the local dealer and ask them for better pricing - tell them you a new owner. Plus - Some dealers have service specials that are quite good .... and you would be surprised ....... the service pricing is not cut in stone.

So that being said -- I use Cherry Hill Jaguar ......... I don't think they have an online parts store ..... been using them as long as they have been a dealer. So I was a bit quick with my "get it online" considering the shipping costs from most places.

As to the price I paid -- I'm going from memory ..... I do remember being surprised that the cost of the 5L jug from the dealer was less than 4 singles from Autohaus - but I did not pay over $30.00 for the 5L back in February ... the wholesale cost is normally 20% off ....sometimes 25%.

You can get free shipping from Autohaus if you spend enough - so you would be at 35.00 for the 4L.

My point: Some items are worth looking for cheaper alternatives ... why pay the dealer $21.00 for a spark plug when you can get the same exact plug for $9.00 (and you need 8) -- or ordering a set of shocks from the OEM at half the price of the dealer when many have reported normal operation after installation. But it's not worth the potential problems with the coolant -- the thermostat -- or the water pump in these cars. And .....IMO with the brake parts.

Jaguar does have strange pricing on some parts - the transmission fluid is an example .... why does it cost so much more at the Jaguar dealer for the MB transmission's fluid. I also find it interesting that Autohaus sells a different fluid for the XJR than a comparable MB w210 with the same box. But that is a different thread.

 

You can't go by color anymore. It uses Dexcool.

 

For what it's worth, I bought Jaguar Antifreeze at the dealer. I had to drain the block & radiator, so bought it from them. Part #JLM 20404_3.

This stuff is Green, and the jug says it is good for all Jaguar Models. ( they sold me (2) 5 liter jugs!) The stuff I drained out was Orange. I questioned why it was not orange and they assured me it was the correct item. I had read some threads on the Forum and came away a bit paranoid about what I put in.

The senior mechanic at the dealer saw me with it, shrugged and told me to use Prestone. He seemed to know what he was talking about. He did tell me orange was the best and warned me about gelling, if the wrong stuff was mixed in. The Prestone bottle claimed to be compatible with all other coolants. I was concerned that I may need to drain and re-fill again, in case I had any trouble with the work I was doing, so I did put in the $12.00 Prestone. I have been keeping an eye on it, but it has been in for almost 2 years. It looks like it did the day it went in. I still have the 2 jugs of $65.00 Jaguar Coolant (Bittering Agent). Will probably use it if I get to the point of changing the coolant again.

I respect the mechanic, as he gave me a lot of helpful advice on my "do it yourself" repairs. He seemed to think there was some hype about the need for Jaguar coolant, which of course they used in the shop. I seem to recall he said he used Prestone in his.

At any rate, the 2 year old prestone does not seem to be causing any problems, and I had the aluminum thermostat housing off about 6 months ago. It looked pristine inside, with no signs of corrosion whatsoever. Maybe it needs a 10 year test, but I guess it is recommended to change the coolant every 2 or 3 years.