Thread: choice of coolant for D2 radiators...

Doesn't really matter what you use. ALL COOLANTS can be mixed but you can reduce the extended life of OAT and other new type coolants significantly to that of a normal coolant and if you try to get the same life as the OAT coolant you may end up with acids eating your engine internals. Air in your cooling system and glycol dont mix, air reacting with glycol is one of the major causes of corrision/erosion. Also some OAT coolants will react with copper and brass. Most of the new coolants have been developed to meet strict Asian and European environmental legislation. Glycol at increased concentrations has a reduced ability to transfer heat that is why mix ratio is very important. 100% Glycol can/will cause over heating it is the water that transfers the heat, glycol raises the boiling point. Hope this makes sense as it is a very simplistic explanation.

In my TD5 I only use Caterpillar ELC, (cause I get it cheap) and test it every service (cause I get access to a test kit for nothing).

Rick

The OAT isn't just a European thing. It is to do with the forumlation of the coolant and its suitability to the engine. There are some places that will use non-OAT coolant after completely flushing all old coolant out from what I've been told. How detrimental this is to the enigne's life... I don't know. But the OAT coolant is used in a number of new vehicles (including ones from USA, Japan and Europe) and is obtainable. Havoline ELC that is specified in the Disco's manual is Caltex ELC in Australia. You'll find reference to this and also CAT ELC in other posts.

Originally Posted by dm_td5

The OAT isn't just a European thing. It is to do with the forumlation of the coolant and its suitability to the engine. There are some places that will use non-OAT coolant after completely flushing all old coolant out from what I've been told. How detrimental this is to the enigne's life... I don't know.
But the OAT coolant is used in a number of new vehicles (including ones from USA, Japan and Europe) and is obtainable. Havoline ELC that is specified in the Disco's manual is Caltex ELC in Australia. You'll find reference to this and also CAT ELC in other posts.

The old Green coolant is probably the best do everything coolant, but has to be changed much more often than an OAT (Organic Acid Technology) extended life coolant. (The old green stuff can be used in nearly anything. But remember COLOUR MEANS NOTHING. Pink, orange, green (Honda OAT) or red could be anything.)
If someone tells you not to use OAT coolants when the manufacturer specifies OAT they dont know what they are talking about.
OAT coolants used by some European manufacturers, Chrysler and Ford are NOT NORMAL OAT COOLANTS, they are HYBRID OAT COOLANTS.(I wonder what is specified for the Ford in the new Defender) DO NOT use normal OAT ELC coolants in these vehicles. Hybrid OAT coolants have slightly different chemistry and additional silicate compounds that react quicker with aluminium to provide better corrosion protection. You will not get the same corrosion protection with normal OAT coolant in these engines. Bloody hell, I am starting to waffle.

Bottom line is, (as dm_TD5 says) use Havoline, Caltex, Caterpillar, Nulon Red or any other OAT coolant in your TD5. You could even use the old green stuff with no problems if you replace it often.

OAT red longlife coolent is ONLY to be used in vehicle with alloy radiators

The green longlife non OAT should NOT be used in vehicles that have alloy radiators.

Your choice

Baz.

Originally Posted by Redback

OAT red longlife coolent is ONLY to be used in vehicle with alloy radiators

The green longlife non OAT should NOT be used in vehicles that have alloy radiators.

Your choice

Baz.

COLOUR MEANS NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DONT CHOOSE COOLANT BY COLOUR.

Originally Posted by Redback

OAT red longlife coolent is ONLY to be used in vehicle with alloy radiators

The green longlife non OAT should NOT be used in vehicles that have alloy radiators.

Your choice

Baz.

Originally Posted by bushrover

COLOUR MEANS NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DONT CHOOSE COOLANT BY COLOUR.

Yep i know and no need to yell the bold is the important part.

If you can find green OAT coolent then that's fine

Baz.

What ever you choose make certain it is compatible!
My rig had the standard Glycol in it when I bought it and for the first year I owned it I maintained it with the same. That was what did all the damage to my head and radiator. I now only use the caltex oat.

Originally Posted by Redback

The green longlife non OAT should NOT be used in vehicles that have alloy radiators.

My P38A has an alloy radiator and non-OAT glycol is specified by LR - the car does have a copper heater core which is, apparently, not compatible with OAT.