coolant for Disco 1

[Mike Perrin]

I have seen some older threads recommending Dex Cool coolant for Land Rovers. I have also seen several mentions of using a product called 'Water Wetter' as a coolant additive. The Dex Cool product says it already has temp extreme inhibitors in it. Any problem in mixing these two products that you know of? Mike

 

[1997LRLSE]

Mike,
I haven’t heard anything about coolant types other than what is in the manual or on the stickers under the hood say and that is to you Land Rover products. I have been using the Prestone 50/50 for about 2.5 years and have not had any problems. I live in Phoenix, Arizona and it gets pretty ‘warm’ here, and I drive it daily on the highway and in the city.

Bj

 

[Disco Mike]

Why would you want to use Dexcool i your D1 when it is not recommend by Rover? Stay with a good product like Peak and yes, add a bottle of Water Wetter or Purple Ice to help keep the engine happy.

 

[Mike Perrin]

I had seen a lot of folks using Dexicool and read where that product was better for aluminum. I had also read several places here about the water wetter so I just asked to see what others had to say. I have been using Prestone already but not the water wetter (which is also not recommended by Rover that I have seen) . But I will give it a try. Thanks for the info, Mike

 

[1997LRLSE]

Mike P.
I have been reading about the Water Wetter and the Royal Purple Ice also. Curious as to why you would want to add the additive. My understanding is that the normal glycol based antifreeze, in a 50/50 mix, is good to 0 degrees, and that the additives help below that...(Kind of like adding salt to the water when you are making ice cream because it lowers the freezing point of the water). Do they help keep it cooler also?

I have also read that the Royal Purple attacks paint and alluminum...that doesn't sound good. I have actually considered a larger capacity radiator, if I can find one...but, mine seems to keep things cool in the hot AZ summers so it's low on my modification list...

 

[Mike Perrin]

I would add the "Water Wetter' product just to help keep the engine cooler. I agree that just 50/50 coolant mixture will be enough for freeze protection . I am for anything that will help the engine run just a little cooler especially with the triple digit temps we are having the last few days

 

[Mike Perrin]

And Mike you bring up a good point,ie, we all do lots of things to our Rovers that Land Rover Ltd does not recommend. Modifications are pervasive in this community of car owners on the forums. For instance Rover would not recommend trashing the air/shock system on my 95 P38 but both me and the car are better off putting a riser kit and heavy duty shocks on it. ( No more trips to get the air system fixed and emptying my wallet) So where do you draw the line? When it it ok and when not? I am curious about it from your perspective having worked from the dealership point of view.

 

[Disco Mike]

You also need to realize that since your vehicle came out, many changes have come about as up-grades to oils, additives were not even on the market way back when.
As for Water Wetter or Purple Ice, if you don't want to use it, that is fine, for those of use who know better, our cooling systems will be more efficient then yours.

 

[Mike Perrin]

Good point about age of the vehicle and what rover now recommends. But I never implied I didn't want to use WaterWetter rather I was trying to gather what others thought about it from their experiences. And I still wonder what you think from a dealership point of view when it is ok to deviate from LR' Ltd recommended replacement parts. ?