I've read many posts regarding the "which coolant to use/ not to use" issue and I'm still confused. Some senior members still say to use Dexcool, others are using Prestone, etc. I called the LR dealership and they said no way, use ONLY Ethylene glycol based OAT coolant- sold at the dealer in concentrate form for $40 a gallon, and not available at Kragen/ Pep Boys and other major parts stores.
Apparently many problems like head gasket failure, throttle body heater plate failure, etc.- can be attributed to using the wrong coolant in these aluminum engines.

 

Some may say many of these head gasket problems and leaks are caused by using the correct coolant. There is nothing magical about Dexcool that any other coolant cannot do as long as you pay attention to drain intervals.

 

This topic is heavily debated so get ready for a flurry of opinions and a bunch of links on why to use one over the other, I don't think we'll be able to get anyone to agree on ONE.....

...but I agree with you 10000% that this seems be one of the most confusing parts of Rover ownership...

 

Use any coolant you want just drain every couple years or 25,000 miles.

 

Just dont mix green with orange.
Dexcool is what I use.

 

Even that would make no difference over say a 1 or so year drain interval. You are worried more about diluting anti corrosion additives than that whole "turning into a gel" thing (which does not happen).

 

so if I understand it right the use "aluminum safe" coolants thing and the "don't mix green with orange" thing is negated IF you change your coolant every few years or 25k miles?

 

there going to be a sling fest over this topic..i'm going blue myself but i really dont think any flavor is going to keep your engine from blowing up... you have one year telling you to use orange another year telling you green and it's the same POS block in all of them...go figure....the most confusing part to me is everyone keeps repairing them the same way and low and behold, they blow up again....

 

Yup

my '96 blew up with green coolant, my '02 temp stayed steady in last weeks 90 degree weather sitting still for 1 hour in traffic, A/C blowing ice cold, with Dex. But I still have the remnants of what was a throttle body heater plate goo disaster on driver's side valve cover.....

....I stare at my temp gauge more than I watch the road

 

Change your coolant every 2 years or 30000miles and you will be fine.
The general opinion is don't mix coolants, who knows what chemical reactions can take place if you do. I drain and flush my system every 2 years, then fill up with fresh coolant. I stick to using the same coolant because I'm a creature of habit, and if I need to top up for whatever reason then I know what's in there.