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This might be a stupid question about Antifreeze

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Old Dec 30, 2011 | 07:00 PM
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Question This might be a stupid question about Antifreeze

I am doing a radiator flush on my 97 xj, and I heard sometimes on Chrysler vehicles you have to use a specific antifreeze. Maybe the green one over the orange one, Don't know how true this is but I want to do it right.
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Old Dec 30, 2011 | 07:03 PM
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Prestone Extended Life antifreeze/coolant says "any make, any model, any color" and get it just about anywhere, including Walmart.
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Old Dec 30, 2011 | 07:10 PM
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My antifreeze currently looks like mud water, how normal is that?

I'm in NY should I use 100% antifreeze?

Last edited by xjbomber; Dec 30, 2011 at 07:17 PM.
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Old Dec 30, 2011 | 07:36 PM
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Originally Posted by xjbomber
My antifreeze currently looks like mud water, how normal is that?

I'm in NY should I use 100% antifreeze?
Never run 100% antifreeze/coolant.... 50% antifreeze 50% water.... if it is a rust color you should do a good flush of your coolant system... they have kits at most local part stores.... if it is as bad as it sounds you might want to take it and have it flushed... most shops have chemicals they use that does a really good clean of your coolant system
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Old Dec 30, 2011 | 07:41 PM
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Originally Posted by xjbomber
My antifreeze currently looks like mud water, how normal is that?

I'm in NY should I use 100% antifreeze?
gooo, did you buy the flush kit? or are you just gonna change it?? and thats not normal... sounds rusty, maybe mixxed alot of water at some point, def change it now cause its freezing at night in alb. 50/50 mix, which you can buy... or mix ur self
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Old Dec 30, 2011 | 07:51 PM
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For longevity flush the mud water. Use the 50/50 mix as recommended above. Any brand is better than the MudW.
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Old Dec 30, 2011 | 07:53 PM
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I just saw a youtube video on a proper flush, All I have so far is drain the plug. But I see that is the wrong way. I'm thinking from reading this maybe going to a shop to a real flush. But the kit looks interesting, should I buy the kit or see about getting some flush that might use some chemical flush like xjshake mentioned.

Thanks
G.
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Old Dec 30, 2011 | 08:02 PM
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dont wait, you probably have too much water in the system, and you DONT want it to freeze
http://www.prestone.com/products/print/461?popup=1
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Old Dec 30, 2011 | 08:08 PM
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Originally Posted by crbnfibr
dont wait, you probably have too much water in the system, and you DONT want it to freeze
http://www.prestone.com/products/print/461?popup=1

Good post for some one going to do there first flush. That is all you need other then the antifreeze and some cooling system flushing chemical.
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Old Dec 30, 2011 | 08:35 PM
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If you use one of those kits just be careful they have been known to crack and leave you stranded or worse cause you or someone else to get burnt. Its more expensive but you can piece a kit together from the hardware store out of brass. just my $.02
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Old Dec 30, 2011 | 09:24 PM
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Mud or milkshake brown? If mud it's likely rust, if milkshake it's likely oil and you've got a bum head gasket.

As for coolant, any standard green coolant (not Dexcool) will work for your XJ.
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Old Dec 30, 2011 | 11:23 PM
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Originally Posted by djb383
Prestone Extended Life antifreeze/coolant says "any make, any model, any color" and get it just about anywhere, including Walmart.
So I picked up 2 of these, but is this just to add to the regular color, or is this good to use to fill up. On that subject how many of these will i need to do a full flush refill.


Originally Posted by crbnfibr
dont wait, you probably have too much water in the system, and you DONT want it to freeze
http://www.prestone.com/products/print/461?popup=1
I picked this up

Originally Posted by xjsnake
Mud or milkshake brown? If mud it's likely rust, if milkshake it's likely oil and you've got a bum head gasket.

As for coolant, any standard green coolant (not Dexcool) will work for your XJ.

It seemed like mud, I'ts not oily so i hope its not a bum gasket, but I am leaking oil so it might be the bum head gasket. I havent been able to pinpoint where the leak is coming from but I suspect a bum head gasket. However, i did add a **** load of water once so im thinking thats the prob.


One other question I picked up the prestone super radiator flush fluid, is the xj equiped with more than 12 quartz system?

And to bleed the air is there a bleeder valve or do i just leave the radiator cap of till it gets warm?

Last edited by xjbomber; Dec 31, 2011 at 01:45 AM.
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Old Dec 31, 2011 | 08:40 AM
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Originally Posted by xjbomber
So I picked up 2 of these, but is this just to add to the regular color, or is this good to use to fill up. On that subject how many of these will i need to do a full flush refill.




I picked this up




It seemed like mud, I'ts not oily so i hope its not a bum gasket, but I am leaking oil so it might be the bum head gasket. I havent been able to pinpoint where the leak is coming from but I suspect a bum head gasket. However, i did add a **** load of water once so im thinking thats the prob.


One other question I picked up the prestone super radiator flush fluid, is the xj equiped with more than 12 quartz system?

And to bleed the air is there a bleeder valve or do i just leave the radiator cap of till it gets warm?
I have a vague recollection of the capacity being between 10-12 quarts.

You might find this helpful
http://jeephorizons.com/tech/radiatorflush.html
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Old Dec 31, 2011 | 12:19 PM
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Is the inlet hose on a 97 the top one that runs into the thermostat housing or the bottom one thst runs into the engine/ belt area?
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Old Dec 31, 2011 | 12:32 PM
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Top one runs into the thermostat housing and to flush it park on level ground leave the rad. cap off turn the heat on full blast and let it idle until the thermostat opens and watch the level
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