Wrong antifreeze
JK Freak
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 834
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach CA
I was on vacation back in May and my low coolant light came on. I stopped into the nearest auto parts store and picked up some antifreeze. Little did I know the guy behind the counter didn't know what he was talking about and sold me the wrong antifreeze. He sold me a jug of DexCool 50/50. I topped it off and went on my way. I usually would have done my own research, but like I said I was on vacation and just wanted to get back on the road.
The other day I came across a thread on this forum that said that the JK takes a special kind of antifreeze. HOAT.
I want to know if I drain the old fluid out and flush the system with water an then refill it with the HOAT antifreeze. Will I be ok or is the damage already done?
The other day I came across a thread on this forum that said that the JK takes a special kind of antifreeze. HOAT.
I want to know if I drain the old fluid out and flush the system with water an then refill it with the HOAT antifreeze. Will I be ok or is the damage already done?
From what I have read, Dexcool is garbage. It actually becomes corrosive after time and will chew up rubber and plastic internal seals. I had my other car flushed entirely of it and now running standard coolant to keep the plastic parts from cracking.
Anyone else hear about this?
JK Freak
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 845
Likes: 3
From: Scituate, MA
Anyone using the waterless antifreeze that lasts forever? When doing any cooling system maintenance (water pump, hose radiator etc) you drain it save it and re install it. It's pricey but non corrosive but probably voids any warrantee.
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 14,800
Likes: 374
From: Midwest City, OK
Pretty much all car mfgs have gone to specialized coolants. So this isn't a Jeep-only thing. To do so, they've selected metals, alloys, plastics and rubbers that are compatible with their particular choice. If you use something that isn't compatible, then the cooling system will suffer damage--corrosion, pitting, hardened and cracked plastics and rubbers, etc. I'd stick with the recommended stuff. 100K (HOAT in 07-12) or 150K (OAT in 13-14) is a lot of use out of $50 worth of antifreeze.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,087
Likes: 2
From: Parker, Colorado
JK Super Freak
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,087
Likes: 2
From: Parker, Colorado
Reservoir or over flow tank, call it want you want. It's a place for coolant to go when the coolant expands. The level in the tank will increase as the engine heats up. The level will drop as it cools and pulls the coolant back into the radiator.
JK Newbie
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: DeSoto, MO
'07-12 take HOAT (Mopar HOAT or Zerex G-05)
Here's a link if you DIY
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/stoc...ite-up-285444/
Here's a link if you DIY
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/stoc...ite-up-285444/
