Oil in coolant? HELP!!!

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Mar 25, 2007 | 05:49 PM

6SSPEED

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From: Muscle Shoals, AL

Oil in coolant? HELP!!!

My buddy has a 2002 B4C LS1 camaro with 105k miles. He pulled off the radiator cap to check the coolant and noticed oil bubbles at the surface of the coolant in the radiator.What does this mean? Any help would be appreciated.

BTW: It doesn't smoke, knock, or tick any.

Mar 25, 2007 | 06:20 PM

nickls1

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From: tucson, az

sounds like a head gasket problem i think

Mar 25, 2007 | 06:43 PM

Shinigami2x4

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From: Des Moines, IA

might be the start of a bad head gasket, try doing a coolent flush (a good one) and see what happens. Also do an oil change and see if any coolent made it to the oil If so your headgasket is gone or broken off (in the corners mainly)

Mar 25, 2007 | 07:12 PM

Jeremiah

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From: Mustang, Ok

Its normal from my experience to have an oil like sludge at the radiator cap on any high millage car that has not been properly maintained/flushed ect.

Mar 25, 2007 | 07:18 PM

warp10

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Does he have a power steering oil cooler?

Mar 25, 2007 | 10:15 PM

autotrix

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Yeah, check all your fluid levels and conditions to try and pinpoint which type of oil is mixing with your coolant.

Mar 25, 2007 | 10:23 PM

01WS6/tamu

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From: somewhere in TX

If its an auto the trans cooler may be leaking internally

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Mar 25, 2007 | 11:02 PM

joshp14

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From: WDM, Iowa

I'd say either the P/S cooler or trans cooler in the radiator. I'm guessing since its a B4C car it will have both the p/s cooler and auto trans. Trans or p/s fluid low?

Mar 25, 2007 | 11:10 PM

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EDS01SS

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From: Hampton Virginia

yup another vote for P/S or tranny cooler. does he have to fill the P/S pump often?

Mar 26, 2007 | 11:45 AM

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skifast87

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From: Ellicott City MD

milkshakes in the crank case?

Mar 26, 2007 | 08:08 PM

#12

6SSPEED

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From: Muscle Shoals, AL

No oil in the crankcase. He thinks he narrowed it down to the power steering cooler. Thanks for all the help.

Mar 26, 2007 | 08:12 PM

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autotrix

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From: Tulsa, OK

You came to the right place!

Mar 28, 2007 | 06:01 AM

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pjb

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From: MD

my PS cooler failed and leaked PS fluid into the cooling system. The oily build up will also cause the low coolant light to come on. Test by getting a radiator pressure tester (free from autozone). When you pressurize the radiator you will see bubbles in the PS resevoir. Replace the PS cooler, clean the low coolant sensor, flush the cooling and PS systems, and you will be good.