Discovery V8 ESyear 2000 model.
The manual states to use one of the below coolants.

1) Havoline Extended Life Coolant (XLC)
or
2) Ethylene glycol based anti-freeze (containing no methanol) with Organic Acid Technology (OAT)

Please advise if this is a special coolant or can it be obtained from Halfords or other motor car care outlets.

Thanks.

 

Use Dexcool

 

I agree, Dexcool is the stuff to use and you can find it just about anywhere.

 

DexCool is the OAT product and is made by a few different manufactures, sold at most auto parts stores.

 

http://www.girardgibbs.com/dexcool.html
Read this first.

 

Dexcool is corrosive, true. But only when exposed to air.

 

And can you gurantee that no air will ever get into the cooling system? Your cooling system is a closed system, but they do develop leaks that you may not find until it is to late. Bad radiator cap for example.
In my humble opinion a $1000+ dollars for new head gaskets isint worth the risk of using Dex-Cool.

 

HEad gaskets don't blow because of Dexcool, it is because they are Rovers and have a thin sealing surface for the jacket on the head and a poor material composition for the gaskets. D1's need gaskets as much and as often as D2's and they didn't run Dexcool from the factory..

 

OK. I'm just lucky maybe? I dont know, just asking. Mine (D1) is all original with 170k on the clock. So, I dont know, I still wont use Dex-Cool though.

 

I dunno guys...my thinking is really unsettled on this topic. Why is Dexcool so strongly recommended by some and opposed by others?

If it's chemically corrosive when exposed to air, there is a lawsuitallegingnylonseal damage in other engines,andRovers are notorious for cooling system leaks and breaches, what makes Dexcool a better choice than standard ethylene glycol based coolants if I plan to change it every 30K anyway? I'd really like to find an objective answer to this question!

How corrosive is it and what makes the Rover cooling system incompatible with standard coolants?

Cheers,
Dave