When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
For the 2008-12 LR2 with the 3.2L 6cyl engine, the Land Rover coolant is LRN2279 which is probably what you get if you have your coolant changed at the dealership.
Which aftermarket coolant are you using for fluid changes and top-offs?
Yes, but make absolutely sure you get the *right* type of coolant for this vehicle. It's not compatible with other types. You need OAT (organic acid) coolant.
It will be pink when mixed (or bought pre-mixed), or red/orange if you buy the 100% concentration (which then needs to be mixed with distilled water). That's the main thing, don't put green or blue coolant into this car.
I happen to use ACDelco Dexcool.
Also, it's a sealed system and shouldn't leak at all. If you're constantly topping up, better deal with the leak. OAT coolant can create solid blockages in the engine if air gets into the system.
Last edited by merlinj79; Apr 16, 2021 at 09:22 PM.
This is a variety of DexCool which is the most common OAT coolant. As you know, DexCool is a spec, not a brand. Many companies make DexCool coolants.
The difference between DexCool and other OAT coolants is that DexCool contains a corrosion inhibitor called 2-EH. When it was first used in GM vehicles around 20 years ago, the 2-EH combined with air in leaky coolant systems and caused problems with gaskets made of certain materials. It was a disaster which earned DexCool the nickname "Death Cool". But all that's been fixed since then (we hope).
I don't recall why I chose this aftermarket DexCool coolant to replace the OEM coolant. I probably researched it and came to the conclusion that the LR OEM coolant was DexCool, but I don't remember and now I'm not really sure.
Last edited by LR2driver; Apr 17, 2021 at 05:04 PM.
I actually bought my coolant from my LR parts guy.............his prices for me were inline with Amsoil or other aftermarket brands. I have used him for many genuine parts over the last two years and it's a 60/40 chance that he can match or beat most pricing when I factor in time, taxes and shipping. I always check with him before going the OEM or aftermarket routes. I am driving a 14 YO Landy, they have a standard or should have a 20 to 25% discount(sometimes even more) for older vehicle parts.
This is a variety of DexCool which is the most common OAT coolant. As you know, DexCool is a spec, not a brand. Many companies make DexCool coolants.
The difference between DexCool and other OAT coolants is that DexCool contains a corrosion inhibitor called 2-EH. When it was first used in GM vehicles around 20 years ago, the 2-EH combined with air in leaky coolant systems and caused problems with gaskets made of certain materials. It was a disaster which earned DexCool the nickname "Death Cool". But all that's been fixed since then (we hope).
I don't recall why I chose this aftermarket DexCool coolant to replace the OEM coolant. I probably researched it and came to the conclusion that the LR OEM coolant was DexCool, but I don't remember and now I'm not really sure.
You jogged my memory, I did the research too when I found the stuff named in the manual was NLA, and dexcool is the correct spec for our cars.
When I check the specs in the workshop manual, it says "Texaco Extended Life Coolant (XLC) or any glycol based anti-freeze containing no methanol with only Organic Acid Technology (OAT) corrosion inhibitors". It says the very same in my ALLDATAdiy subscription.
This coolant is OAT and is silicate-free. It conforms to Ford spec WSS-M97B44-D (I read in one of the forum's that the "D" suffix refers to GM's Dexcool).
Dexcool is also silicate-free OAT. My research years ago led me to believe that dexcool was a suitable replacement for the NLA OEM texaco XLC coolant (didn't know about havoline XLC).
The silicate OAT may very well be a new-technology improvement over the original spec but I'd sure like to see it writing from a reputable source. I googled the XC90, and mass confusion reigns over there too.
The easiest way to answer your question is to highlight a screen shot from the link that I posted above
But if you really wan to know why......
The 3.2 (Volvo \ Land Rover built by FORD) has two stacked aluminum plate heat exchangers. I believe that the plates are furnace brazed. These plates are very thin and it doesn't take a lot of corrosion to cause the plates to fail. The way the heat exchanger works is Coolant is passing thru the even number levels and Oil or Transmission fluid is passing thru the odd levels (it alternates Coolant, Oil, Coolant, Oil..........) When the exchanger fails with the engine running Oil will enter the cooling system because the oil pressure is higher than the maximum pressure in the cooling system. The pressure relief cap for the cooling system will open at about 15 PSI and the mixture of coolant and oil will make an enormous mess.
I avoid all of this by using G13 and changing it every 5 years.
aftermarket Coolant/Anti-Freeze
