i dont have time to go down to jaguar to pick up coolant. im curious what coolant i can use thats not oem. there is a pep boys down the block from my house

 

anyone?

 

After researching everything here is the antifreeze I have used for the last 5 years:

Valvoline.com > Products > Zerex > Antifreeze Zerex > Zerex G-05® Antifreeze / Coolant

 

i read somewhere that they dont recommend that anitfreeze for our cars. is that true?

 

As far as I know the G05 is correct, but if you have any doubts recheck the vehicle requirements to make sure.

 

Motorcraft Premium Gold from your local Ford Service Center is very compatable. It is about $17 a gallon. Anything Jaguar sells is probably a clone of that and more expensive.

 

I always go back to the source for a question like this. I'm an engineer, so that's how I make my living.

The Dexcool PDF datasheet http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/zerex_dex_cool.pdf does not mention Jaguar, but does mention the Ford spec WSS-M97B44-D. This is the same spec used by our Jaguar XK8 V8 (And Lincolns, remember -- Ford owned Jaguar). The G05 spec references a fundamentally different Ford spec -- WSS-M97B51-A1. The G05 stuff has a much higher silicate content (~25x). See http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/zerex_g05.pdf. Silicate has abrasive properties and can attack seals and gaskets and is therefore NOT recommended. The conclusion? Stick with the OEM Jaguar recommendations -- Use the orange stuff.

 

Welcome to the forum joeskat,

Please follow this link New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the New Member Area - Intro a MUST forum and post some info about yourself and your vehicle for all members to see.

In return you'll get a proper welcome and some useful advice about posting to the forum.

Graham

 

Coventry Jaguar in San Diego, CA flushed my system, and the coolant they use is Dexcool in essence. I had to add some recently and after consulting with the shop Master Technician he pointed me to Preston's DexCool 50\50...no problems at all and why should there be if I am riding on it since the aforementioned flush almost one year ago. Hope this helps

 

Joeskat is correct. According to the Zerex application chart, Dex-Cool, which is the orange stuff, is correct for '96 Jaguars onward.

http://www.sancarlosradiator.com/ima...-%20Z-1217.pdf

 

I just flushed my '03 XK8 and used Ford orange WSS-M97B44-D coolant from the local ford dealer. Pretty expensive but felt is was best choice after doing some research.

 

I use Prestone Extended Life 50/50 in both Jags. I've found no problems. I buy it at Walmart for about $12 or so a gallon.

 

+1 orange stuff dexcool extended life, except I get the undiluted and mix it myself.

 

In my opinion, there are really only two types of antifreeze: The kind bought by obsessive compulsive owners, and the kind used by everyone else.

I have used the generic Autozone universal type in all my cars w/o a problem for many many years. As far as I know, if it says universal mix on the label, the color has no bearing on chemical composition. Sic, green is the same as the yellow.

There are two (2) caveats to to my proposition: First is that when I began to use the generic, it was after flushing the old coolant out of the system as best I could. Second, that I flush and fill coolant at least every two (2) years.

In reality, the coolant is usually partially replaced with new about once a year because I am either performing work on the cooling system; or as preventive maintenance care. I never reuse any coolant. Always add fresh. And always add only distilled water... never from the tap.

All of the problems associated with Dexcool are associated with neglecting to replace coolant and are a result of leaving the coolant in five or ten years wherein it turns to what you and I would refer to as slush.

Some European owners need to be careful with the phosphate content off their antifreeze reacting with aluminum; but that type of coolant is not available in the US and is a non issue here.