What coolant?

HeywoodFloyd · Oct 3, 2016

Sorry, I know this comes up a lot... I've just spent 40 minutes reading every thread in every land rover forum on the planet about this and I'm still not confident what coolant to get.

I've recently got myself a lovely old 1987 90. She's on the books as originally having a 2.5 engine, but some lovely previous owner has replaced that with a very good condition 300tdi.
I have no idea how old the engine is, or how many miles it's done, but it could do with a little coolant top up right now.
Before anyone asks what colour the coolant is in there at the moment... it's almost clear, with a slight brown tinge to it maybe. The coolant tank is black so I can't use staining of the plastic to help either. But it would seem that, with the amount of opinions out there on this subject, that colour isn't everything anyway.

All I want is a definitive way to identify the exact type of coolant I should be using.

Any help?

Kwakerman · Oct 3, 2016

HeywoodFloyd said:
Sorry, I know this comes up a lot... I've just spent 40 minutes reading every thread in every land rover forum on the planet about this and I'm still not confident what coolant to get.

I've recently got myself a lovely old 1987 90. She's on the books as originally having a 2.5 engine, but some lovely previous owner has replaced that with a very good condition 300tdi.
I have no idea how old the engine is, or how many miles it's done, but it could do with a little coolant top up right now.
Before anyone asks what colour the coolant is in there at the moment... it's almost clear, with a slight brown tinge to it maybe. The coolant tank is black so I can't use staining of the plastic to help either. But it would seem that, with the amount of opinions out there on this subject, that colour isn't everything anyway.

All I want is a definitive way to identify the exact type of coolant I should be using.

Any help?

Just change it, should be old fashioned non OAT ethylene glycol (generally Blue or Green). Should be changed every 2 years and if you don't know what it is or its concentration its the safest thing to do now that winter is on its way

Marmaduke · Oct 3, 2016

Keep an eye on the area behind the water pump where the alloy housing meets the engine block as this is where the 'p gasket' is situated, it is sometimes responsible for coolant level drops and if left to leak badly will knacker your engine

This one was cooked to perfection

Disco1BFG · Oct 3, 2016

Another vote for an immediate change - doesn't sound like there is any antifreeze in there TBH, which isn't good.

And, given @Marmaduke beat me to it (!!), its definitely Worth having a nosy at the usual suspects while your under the bonnet - P gasket / water pump gasket etc... in case its leaking. Cos that can horribly wrong.

Definitely use old fashioned ethylene glycol - you even get a colour choice!! How cool is that

HeywoodFloyd · Oct 4, 2016

Thanks everyone - a full change and an inspection of the gasket it is then!

reiny · Oct 4, 2016

Can anyone explain why it is essential to use non-OAT coolant? I have been asked this question multiple times and never had a suitable reply. Whenever someone asks me which coolant to use I insist that long-life coolants, i.e. red or pink ones are definite no-no but I never knew or understood why.

Disco1BFG · Oct 4, 2016

AFAIK, its because of the metals in the 300/200's which OAT will eat. I think I remember it being bronze which OAT likes to destroy, but not sure......

Turboman · Oct 4, 2016

reiny said:
Can anyone explain why it is essential to use non-OAT coolant? I have been asked this question multiple times and never had a suitable reply. Whenever someone asks me which coolant to use I insist that long-life coolants, i.e. red or pink ones are definite no-no but I never knew or understood why.

Doesn't go well with brass or copper, very bad galvanic action.

Disco1BFG · Oct 4, 2016

From this site:-

http://www.engine-performance-onlin...l-antifreeze/engine-coolant-antifreeze-types/

"The OAT antifreeze type provides protection for aluminium, but may not be the best choice for older vehicles where the copper/brass radiators have a lead based solder."

Edit:- @Turboman beat me to it (!!) - but with essentially the same info

What coolant?

HeywoodFloyd

Active Member

Kwakerman

Well-Known Member

Marmaduke

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Disco1BFG

Well-Known Member

HeywoodFloyd

Active Member

reiny

Active Member

Disco1BFG

Well-Known Member

Turboman

Mab An Gov

Disco1BFG

Well-Known Member

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