Cooling system

[gofish]

Have noticed that my cooling system "reservoir" is low. Is there any particular anti-freeze solution I should use here or are they all pretty much the same? Thanks.

[crump]

what engine have you got??

[gofish]

It's a TD5....sorry 'bout that :)

[crump]

its your lucky day, i've just been thru this.:D TD5 requires OAT coolant, Organic Acid Technology, the easiest for you to get is Nulon brand RED Long life coolant, read the bottle make sure it is OAT available at Supercheap, round $45 for 5l which will make 15 L of coolant..If you dont know what your previous coolant was, it would be best to change you entire coolant, as if you mix them you can screw your engine.

[mns488]

If the reservoir is only low can't you just top it up with water?

[crump]

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/showthread.php't=34453
this thread will help.
Probably could just top up with water, but then you are diluting the concentration of coolant which once it reaches a certain % becomes acidic and starts corrosion anyway.I'd be playing safe as at least then you know where you stand.;)

[ladas]

If the reservoir is only low can't you just top it up with water?

Might be stealing Crump's thunder here, but no, if your system has been filled with the recommended 50/50 water and coolant if you just add water then you will dilute the coolant out of range, which can lead to corrosion.

You should, whenever topping up - do it with the mix of water and the coolant that is in the car.

Never mix different types of coolant either.

[mns488]

Might be stealing Crump's thunder here, but no, if your system has been filled with the recommended 50/50 water and coolant if you just add water then you will dilute the coolant out of range, which can lead to corrosion.

You should, whenever topping up - do it with the mix of water and the coolant that is in the car.

Never mix different types of coolant either.

oh,

Is that specifically a TD5 thing?

[crump]

see! i told you so!!:D :D :D

[crump]

oh,

Is that specifically a TD5 thing?

yep, seems to be, just one of the many joys of ownership.;)

but I know squat about other makes so it could be the same, but why would you need to know about anything other than Landys???

[mns488]

see! i told you so!!:D :D :D
yeah but your from queensland... you've probably just got out of bed or something...:D

[ladas]

oh,

Is that specifically a TD5 thing?

No, Land Rover V8, in fact any vehicle with alloy components/blocks/heads etc., or a mixture of metals where reactions can ocour.

Quite a few modern cars recommend the use of OAT coolants.

[crump]

yeah but your from queensland... you've probably just got out of bed or something...:D

there it is again, no one ever believes me!!!:mad: :D

[gofish]

The car is due for a service very soon. Would it be OK to top up with just a little water until that time? Not fill it but just add a bit for piece of mind. Surely it wont corode that quickly? Cheers.

[crump]

your call, but make sure you get the coolant changed at the service, and keep in mind that no workshop is going to flush your system for an hour or so to make sure all the old coolant is gone, its really quite simple to do yourself(if I can do it Alexander Downer could) and all the info is here.

[byron]

oh,

Is that specifically a TD5 thing?

It's a basic simple safe RULE that applies to ALL cars, trucks, engines of all sorts and types.:)

A simple safe rule that if you follow it , you can't go wrong..........otherwise there's a tangled mess of exceptions, rules, ratios, provisos etc, etc that you need to be certain of to not cause some, if not major damage or folly.;)

[byron]

The car is due for a service very soon. Would it be OK to top up with just a little water until that time? Not fill it but just add a bit for piece of mind. Surely it wont corode that quickly? Cheers.

WHY THE BIG PROBLEM?????:eek:

You can get premixed OAT by 1 or 2.5 or 5 litre bottles and keep it for future use.....it doesn't cost the earth [heaps cheaper then corroded LandRover TD5 engine and cooling system components]

........ and you'll always have the leftover onhand, cause it's not as easy to find someplaces as the GREEN type coolant and it IS the ONLY type you should use AND at the CORRECT ratio!!!!

ALSO.......

You need to ask WHY/HOW your coolant level dropped so low, and will it continue to drop!.......so WILL you NEED to add more again soon?????

[cookiesa]

Whilst I agree with what has been said... Eg coolants and not mixing, for this very reason if you don't know what coolant is in there now. TOP UP WITH WATER ONLY. Don't mix coolants, don't even mix brands of the same "type" of coolant. And don't ASSUME (Old but makes an ASS out of U and ME) even if service history looks good that the correct coolant was used.

Really you need to find where it is going then fix it, flush and fill with coolant. (Soooooooon)

[DEFENDERZOOK]

Whilst I agree with what has been said... Eg coolants and not mixing, for this very reason if you don't know what coolant is in there now. TOP UP WITH WATER ONLY. Don't mix coolants, don't even mix brands of the same "type" of coolant. And don't ASSUME (Old but makes an ASS out of U and ME) even if service history looks good that the correct coolant was used.

Really you need to find where it is going then fix it, flush and fill with coolant. (Soooooooon)




and i will second that......

[DougLD]

Hi All
From what I have read here I gather that we should use OAT type coolant for all modern Land Rover engines including the V8s. I have used OAT type coolant in the TD5 but not in the Rangie as yet should i change over to it and what are the efects in doing so.
Regards
Doug