ATTENTION: Know Your Jeep JK Wrangler Coolants and Save Your Engine!

MSJKU11

Caught the Bug
I didn't take the reservoir out and shine a light through it, but I'll do that next. My issue is when I replace the coolant thermostat I'll need to top the coolant off and I want to be sure I'm using what's in there. I'm assuming it's OAT since that's what it should've come with from the factory and I haven't noticed any issues (it either hasn't been topped off or it has been with the correct stuff). Outside of color there's no way for me to know if it had previously been flushed and incorrectly filled with HOAT, though.

Might just have to consider a full flush to be completely sure.

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I've never tried it but I wonder if you could mix some of oat that you purchase with a small sample from your reservoir to see if it reacts. Otherwise I'd probably do what you suggest to be on the safe side and do a full flush since it's realtivley easy.

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BeRoyalKC

New member
I've never tried it but I wonder if you could mix some of oat that you purchase with a small sample from your reservoir to see if it reacts. Otherwise I'd probably do what you suggest to be on the safe side and do a full flush since it's realtivley easy.

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I think it takes a long time to react but I'm not sure. And yeah just need to start searching for the steps to complete a full flush. I'd imagine there's a video out there somewhere.

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dotnetrob

Member
I recently got my coolant in my 2015 JKU changed at a Valvoline. They did a full flush and fill. I am assuming they use OAT but not 100% sure. Anybody know what coolant they use, obviously a Valvoline brand. Asking because I like to keep some on hand to top up as needed.
 
I recently got my coolant in my 2015 JKU changed at a Valvoline. They did a full flush and fill. I am assuming they use OAT but not 100% sure. Anybody know what coolant they use, obviously a Valvoline brand. Asking because I like to keep some on hand to top up as needed.

Id go and ask them.
 

KY_Jeep

Member
I recently got my coolant in my 2015 JKU changed at a Valvoline. They did a full flush and fill. I am assuming they use OAT but not 100% sure. Anybody know what coolant they use, obviously a Valvoline brand. Asking because I like to keep some on hand to top up as needed.

Most Valvoline stores carry the MaxLife Antifreeze Coolant, it is a HOAT base formula with a special chemical called Alugard which makes it able to mix with any of the other coolant formulations, i.e OAT, HOAT, P-HOAT, so you are good to go. (FYI some franchise Valvoline stores carry different Manufacture of coolant besides the MaxLife, so you could call the store or stop by just to verify what they did use for piece of mind)
 

Sureshot

New member
Excellent info sir , I have a 2014 Jku and my wife has a 2016 Fiat . I've never seen two coolants be so incompatible ,good job.
 

boardsurfer

Active Member
I just spoke to my worthless Chrysler dealership (is there any other kind?) and the part counter told me that part # 68163849AA maps to 68175338AC but I can't find anything online that proves this. Canada thing? Anyone else confirm this?

Thanks

The AC designation is the formula that is not pre-diluted, meaning you have to dilute 1:1 with water before using. I just had this argument a few months ago with my local dealer. Note in the photos in the original post, the bottles say specifically that it is pre-diluted where this one (AC) doesnt say that. Also, the 5 year vs 10 year will designate if you have the right one.

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melissa_cca

New member
coolant question

question. bought a 2015 with 12000 miles on it the coolant looks orange, did the factory or dealer put the wrong coolant in?
 

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TLDNTX

New member
Cooling System Cleaners

Is the Mopar Cooling System Cleaner (part numbers 4856977AB and 4856977AC) compatible with OAT and HOAT?
 

Waxmell7

New member
New (to me) ‘13 JK, needs coolant

I did some pretty extensive reading on this thread, and in other places around the internet. As with most information gathering, the more you learn about a subject, the less sure you become. My question is this:

I bought my JK not too long ago and the coolant is low. When I look down into the overflow reservoir it looks orange just like the OP said.

HOWEVER, the CarFax report said that the radiator had been replaced (by a Chevy dealership), so I suspect they may have used regular orange coolant. Furthermore, the OP statement below leads me to think that non-Mopar, OAT coolant will be Orange:

“A little background on the color so that the next part makes sense to you guys....As we know, FIAT is with Chrysler now. Fiat has been using orange colored OAT for years. When Chrysler switched to OAT, they didn't want dealers/people getting confused, so to differentiate the new OAT coolant with the chrysler original orange HOAT, they added a purple dye. As a result, due to a weird light refraction, the purple OAT looks weird (even orange) when looked at certain angles. You can even pop open your radiator cap on your 14 and the coolant looks so orange you'd bet me your jeep that it's orange....but it isn't.”


Moving on, if I buy Peak Antifreeze, that’s rated for Chrysler 2013+, says it’s OAT, but is orange in color, would that be wrong? (https://peakauto.com/products/antif...merican-vehicle-coolant-extended-life-orange/)

And lastly, since it is not the factory radiator/coolant, is there an easier way to check or even “dip” the reservoir?
 
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Waxmell7

New member
And lastly, since it is not the factory radiator/coolant, is there an easier way to check or even “dip” the reservoir?

Well I figured this part out. But anyone have input on whether it’s OAT or HOAT? Base on my readings I’m assuming OAT.
 

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Spazbyt

Hooked
Honestly I just went through this yesterday. I wasn't going to just hope that my purplish orange stuff was OAT so I just flushed the hole system. Now I know exactly what I have. A few months ago I had top it off with green "universal" after doing all the research. Then I found some sludge in the bottom of my overflow so I freaked my self out and flushed it all. Problem solved.
Well I figured this part out. But anyone have input on whether it’s OAT or HOAT? Base on my readings I’m assuming OAT.

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JKURAZ

New member
Confusion over Part Number

You state the part number is: 68163849AA

However, the Chyrsler TSB you reference states the part number as: MOPAR P/N 68163848AA

Now I'm more confused than before.
 

Mr. Orange 645

New member
So glad I found this thread! After owning TJs, I recently purchased my first JK, a 2013 Wrangler Sport with 75k miles. Just last night I changed all the fluids, because I have no idea if the two previous owners followed any of the recommended service intervals, and I just wanted a fresh starting point going forward. So I changed brake, power steering, oil, manual transmission, transfer case, and diff fluids.

The ONLY thing I didn't change was the coolant, because I honestly just didn't feel like messing with flushing it. I'm so glad I didn't! I can tell you right now 100% I would've grabbed a bottle of the orange stuff at O'Reilly and screwed up my coolant system.

I just this morning decided to research the flushing process and stumbled on these HOAT vs OAT threads. Now I know to make sure which I have first (should be OAT, since I have a 2013), and I also know my fluid is still theoretically good for another 75k miles, so I just need to test it occasionally.

Thank you so much to the OP for this detailed information!!
 
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