What coolant is best for my Disco

malonso123

Active member
May 7, 2019
31
1
Florida
I am flushing my system and wanted to get a consensus of what coolant you all are using or have found works best for the disco. Thank you in advance for the help
 

Tugela

Well-known member
May 21, 2007
4,754
562
Seattle
Helps to know year/model - if your photo is of the Disco in question, looks like D2. Also helps to know what's in the Disco now. Might be worth digging into past threads using the search for this forum. The topic has been covered at length in prior discussions and I don't think anything has materially changed on the subject in the last few years.
 
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jprover2

Well-known member
Apr 8, 2017
146
10
Birmingham,Al
This is highly debated, if you choose to run "green coolant" or ethylene glycol then thoroughly flush the coolant system, install green, and go. If you run "dexcool" or OAT then flush it yearly or wait for the leak to show up, repair, and add more.
 
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Jimmy

Well-known member
Apr 10, 2006
740
64
Aurora, CO
The downside to green is the interval recommendation (two years IIRC). For a longer interval, folks use G-05 or G-48 (both should be HOATs).
 
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Tugela

Well-known member
May 21, 2007
4,754
562
Seattle
Because most people won't replace it by the recommended interval. Which then leads to the breakdown of the protective properties, and damage begins.

So what are the alternatives?
a) negligent owners don't replace the green coolant at the recommended interval, which leads to damage as you describe, or
b) negligent owners leave Dexcool in their systems for a long time, which leads to damage.

Either scenario is problematic. But if you are attentive, disciplined, and you care, changing your coolant every 2 years is no big deal. So for those folks, using green coolant offers advantages because it doesn't have all of the same properties of Dexcool that contribute to many of the hassles that we read about in this forum. I don't know enough about Dexcool to know if timely fluid changes mitigate those problems. My truck came with green coolant so becoming an expert about Dexcool has never been a necessity.
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
If your system is completely empty I would fill it with green coolant.
Dexcool is the pink stuff. It protects the surfaces from corrosion as long as it's in contact with it. When air pockets get created by leaks it causes problems. GM S10's with the 4.3 in them got it worst because of a radiator cap that would vent but not suck coolant back in as it cooled down. Google that.
Green coolant leaves a slime on surfaces. Protects from corrosion better.
But as mentioned it needs to be flushed and refilled more often. But really a Disco2 has to have the coolant system repaired so often the coolant probably gets replaced regularly and leaves the last 2 gallons out on the road someplace
 

Swedjen2

Well-known member
Sep 12, 2018
594
127
California
I know a guy who has used Sierra coolant in his RRC. The engine has over 280K. Started of using Castrol, then Rotella T4 for many years, now uses Valvoline 20/50 Racing. It has more Zinc than T4. Of course, he changes the oil and coolant at proper intervals. Oil change at 3K religiously. He's had hardly any coolant issues.
 

Stocksuspension66

Well-known member
Mar 26, 2020
104
9
California
You can use the same coolant god uses on his charriot. Guess what... you are still going to change preheat plates and water pumps. The Land Rover cooling system is plagued far beyond a simple coolant flush repair. But, for what is worth... I use xlc Land Rover coolant. What ever you use just make sure you do a proper flush to prevent cross contamination.
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
You can use the same coolant god uses on his charriot. Guess what... you are still going to change preheat plates and water pumps. The Land Rover cooling system is plagued far beyond a simple coolant flush repair. But, for what is worth... I use xlc Land Rover coolant. What ever you use just make sure you do a proper flush to prevent cross contamination.
The Disco2 cooling system. Lets not sully the good ones.
 

Swedjen2

Well-known member
Sep 12, 2018
594
127
California
You can use the same coolant god uses on his charriot. Guess what... you are still going to change preheat plates and water pumps. The Land Rover cooling system is plagued far beyond a simple coolant flush repair. But, for what is worth... I use xlc Land Rover coolant. What ever you use just make sure you do a proper flush to prevent cross contamination.

Well, amazingly enough, I have it on O.K. authority that... etc., etc.