XK8 Coolant query

[agnoraan]

I've recently bought a 2001 XK8 with 44000 miles on it, which had a service by Stratstone Jaguar prior to me buying it. The service was 14 months ago and the car has only cover 600 miles since then. On checking the coolant level today I found that although it says to use red coolant, Stratstone actually chaged it for green. On the invoice they've charged for red, along with flushing the system and changing the coolant.

My question is, do I need to change this coolant to red or is it ok to keep the green in it, as I believe the early models used green as standard. all advice would be appreciated
Thanks...Nige

[Jaguar steve]

The later orange coolant mixed 50:50 with clean water should stay in spec for 5 years. You can use either type in a AJ26 or AJ27 engine but mustn't mix the two.

You may feel the need to go and have a full and frank exchange of views about why they have charged you for one type but filled with the other 'tho.

[agnoraan]

Thanks Steve, any idea why they changed to orange in later cars? I've been in touch with Stratstone and and their service colleague told me that "maybe the coolant has changed colour". I explained that it cant change colour, whereby he said to take it to them to check the colour. I asked if this would be free and he said no, there would be an £84 charge!!! I then asked to speak with the service manager and he didn't get back to me either. I'm going to call them again tomorrow! To say I'm not happy with their customer services is an understatement.
Nige

Edited by agnoraan on Friday 12th August 21:23

[ruaricoles]

The colour of the coolant doesn't determine what type it is; it's brand dependent

There are different types though so ideally you'd know what's been used

https://www.opieoils.co.uk/pdfs/tech-articles/cool...

[Jaguar steve]

agnoraan said:

Thanks Steve, any idea why they changed to orange in later cars? I've been in touch with Stratstone and and their service colleague told me that "maybe the coolant has changed colour". I explained that it cant change colour, whereby he said to take it to them to check the colour. I asked if this would be free and he said no, there would be an £84 charge!!! I then asked to speak with the service manager and he didn't get back to me either. I'm going to call them again tomorrow! To say I'm not happy with their customer services is an understatement.
Nige

Edited by agnoraan on Friday 12th August 21:23

The service schedule for the 1999 and 2000 model year XJ8 - identical engine to the XK8 - calls for a check on specific gravity every year at service and a coolant change every 4 years on '99 cars and no SG check at service and a coolant change every 5 years on 2000 cars onward. As the earlier coolant type depletes over time and therefore would need checking periodically to make sure its still in spec it's safe to assume that the difference corresponds to the change in coolant types so a 2001 car should have been filled with the later orange type.

Although reasonably priced last time I bough some from my not so local Jaguar parts dept you don't have to buy Jaguar branded coolant, any one to the correct Ford specification will be fine.

If your dealer does change over to the later type the cooling system must be completely flushed to remove any traces of the earlier one. The two different chemical technologies are not compatible.