Coolant Colour

[SWF]

Need to top up and I have some yellowish/orange Jaguar coolant. The label by the neck says use orange coolant, but the coolant inside looks pink. Drew some out and mixed it with some from my bottle and nothing happened, like congealing. I remember the coolant in the X308 could not be mixed. Am I safe to top up with what I've got ?

[barrywi]

You must use either Jaguar antifreeze or Ford antifreeze. Any other colour is not correct. Red is correct.( actually I have never seen it, so it may well be pinkish) It comes from the days when Ford owned Jaguar I suppose.

[SWF]

Got the right coloured stuff today from a dealer.... £9, even though the yellowish earlier Jaguar one would have been OK. Just to be sure.... Looks more pink than orange(it's official colour)to me. Should last a lifetime as just the 'min' mark is not covered. First top up in 5 years !

[jeff1954]

Pink red blue (blimey) What is the difference.
I know that Antifreeze or coolant as it's sometimes called has to be in all year round even in hot climates for internal corrosion purposes, But why the different colours.

Jeff.

[J44EAG]

Blue is for mixed metal engines. Orange/pink is for aluminium units.
Mike

[ptjs1]

As I understand it, both green and orange coolants are glycol-based. The corrosion inhibition qualities of the liquid are as, if not more, important than the "anti-freeze" capability.

The Green stuff uses silicates and phosphates to minimise corrosion and has a useful life of 2-3 years.

The orange stuff was developed to increase the life of the corrosion inhibition and is good for 5 years. As aluminium engines have a particular need for corrosion prevention, manufacturers have moved more to the orange stuff. Orange coolant uses organic acids to minimise corrosion.

The reason you mustn't mix them is because the organic acids in orange coolant cause precipitation of the silicates in green coolant and you can end up with a congealed mess.

Of course all of this is just my understanding. Perhaps the chemists amongst us could confirm?

Paul

[J44EAG]

Try this link.

http://bioengr.ag.utk.edu/ExtProg/machi ... ngcool.htm

Mike

[jeff1954]

Thanks for the replies I will change mine today.

Jeff

[mjd1]

I have a 2004 X350 3.5 Petrol. I'm a bit cautious about which coolant to buy. Can anyone help please?

[ptjs1]

mjd1,

Assuming your car still has the correct original-type red / pink fluid, you should drain and fill with silicate-free OAT red / pink fluid.

As an example, here's a link to a Halfords type of suitable fluid:
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/engin ... OC4wLjAuMA..

Cheers

Paul