Coolant Renewal, Petrol V6

Fluid And Interval

Capacity is 10.0 litres. Use orange Motorcraft Super Plus 2000 to Jaguar WSS-M97B44, Organic Acid Technology. Do not mix it with another chemistry. Standard mix is 40 percent antifreeze to 60 percent clean soft water (slush about -25 C, solid about -30 C). Up to 2006 model year Jaguar call for renewal at five years; from 2006 model year the published figure stretches to ten years. Top up only with the same mix, never plain water.

Drain Cold

Engine fully cold. Cloth over the expansion tank cap, turn to the first stop, let pressure go, then depress and remove. Handbrake, front on stands if you need room. Radiator undershield off. Tray under the radiator, open the drain plug (some cars reach it through a hole in the shield). When empty, close the plug and refit the shield.

Flush If Neglected

If the old mix was diluted or the system is full of scale, flush the radiator on its own with a garden hose from top inlet to bottom outlet until the water runs clear. A proprietary cleaner follows the maker's instructions. Engine flush needs the thermostat out so water can pass the block; that housing job is a separate article, not this fill procedure. Refit the thermostat and hoses before you fill with fresh OAT.

Fill And Bleed

Hoses and clips must be sound and tight. Fill slowly to the MAX mark on the expansion tank, cap on. Idle to normal temperature, leave it another five minutes, switch off, cool at least thirty minutes, then top to MAX again. Soft hoses that feel empty of liquid, a cold top hose with a hot engine, or a dead heater after the refill point to an airlock: squeeze visible hoses gently once cold, or partially drain and refill more slowly. Label the tank with mix and date.