http://www.motor.com/article.asp?article_ID=1655

Some notes:

The article describes how Ford is going to a Dex clone, but describes how they are going slow retiring engines not designed for an OAT coolant to avoid all the problems GM had (and early adopters like LR, Dex came out in 1996 and LR started using it around 1998-99 I believe). Also you can read about all the problems GM had due to the fact that they were not using correct gaskets, seals and sealing material. The article mentions that dexcool is slow acting and does not even begin to protect a water pump (from cavitation) for 5000 miles (so imagine if you fill up on dex and have a worn water pump already). The article also touches on the other known dex issues like needing to keep the cooling system completely full and not exposed to air both in cast iron engines and aluminum blocks/heads with steel liners.

Dex does have it's pluses (that is why Ford is heading there) it is cheap, it lasts a long time, and its better for the environment. I'm not trying to start a "what coolant is best" thread just putting out some good info for folks to chew on when people recommend dex only because LR "knows best" or wonder why their throttle body heater keeps failing even though they are using a silicone based RTV sealant on it.

Also on a side note it is cool that Ford has cylinder head sensors that put their vehicles in limp mode if they begin to overheat, that would be a nice feature on Discos. I still like Ford or toyota's current approach which are OAT coolants with fast acting silicates or phosphates added. In a proper engineered engine though A OAT coolant is just fine.

 

See!! Thats what I've been saying!
As always you must use the correct tool for the job.
LR switched to Dex-Cool because it helped off set their CAFE fines, same reason they went with the 15,000 mile oil change intervals on the LR4, the less you change the oil the less you pollute and the less fines you pay.
CAFE fines are based on your fleet of cars, GM sells cars and trucks, the cars get better mpg than the trucks so that helps to off set the fines, if all you sell is large gas guzzling SUV's guess what? You need to be creative and find ways to off set your fines.
Anyway, good article, I dont agree with all of it but hey, what do I know?

 

Yeah it makes you wonder how well thought out the switch to dexcool was a LR and if they took engineering precautions with the gaskets and seals and whatnot. Also I wonder what revisions there were to the engine to deal with dexcool. It took GM a while to understand the implications completely.

 

From what I learned in "coolant school" is that as long as it is a aluminum safe coolant it can be used in any aluminum cooling system.
The engine coolant I sold I also sold to factories to use as machining and press and die coolant too.
There is nothing special about the metal parts that need to be covered by a "special" coolant, aluminum is aluminum, cast iron is cast iron.
But you must use distilled water and keep it full and try not to mix coolants.

 

I agree but prefer classic green or G05.

 

X1000!!!! And do a drain and fill every 24 months no matter the miles.

 

true dat brotha! I need to flush mine before winter, think I will go with zerex G05.

 

I switched our fleet of Discos in our family to G05-good stuff.