nevar

I have a 99SS with about 85K. I noticed my coolant looking thick and dark. Took it to the dealership and they said the oil is mixing with the coolant. They informed me that it can happen from two places, the intake or the bottom end of the motor. They checked the intake and found no problems so that leaves the other. Do I have any options besides buying another motor or is my car DEAD.

Luder[PAK9]

Hmmm, it might also be power steering fluid, since the PS cooler is internal to teh rdiator. If that was leaking, it would leak into the coolant. Have you checked your oil? Is the oil on your dipstick milky?

1sick'98WS6

iTrader: (19)

Does a coolant light come on at high RPM? High revs cause the heads to lift to some extent especially with TTY bolts.. so if this is happening it is for sure a head gasket? I dont know that ps fluid can escape into the coolant like described though.. doubt it is the intake

nevar

Thanks for the response. I'm not getting a coolant light. I wish it were only a head gasket. I can't afford another motor.

nevar

Oil and power steering fluid. Damn I guess I'm in serious trouble. Thankx for the help.

wssix99

iTrader: (5)

I had a power steering leak in my coolant. If that's it, you'll notice your power steering fluid level is down way low and it will look like there is alien slime on the coolant dipstick.

mtxfrk2k1

change your own oil.. dead give away when it starts turning creamy colored and the smell of oil isnt very strong.

nevar

Allmost sounds like somebody sabotaged my car. Checked my oil and it seems fine. If you have any other ideas I'm open to it.

BLACK2001SS

What normaly happens is you get coolant in your motor oil because the pressure from the water side has more pressure the only plase I've seen oil in the coolant is from big trucks because some have engine oil coolers that can leak into the oil.
I would have to agree because our cars came with power steering coolers that it is probly your radiator that needs to be replaced along with a flush.
But check your oil make shure you you dont have coolant in it if you do then your talking head gaskets but I dont think thats it.

wssix99

iTrader: (5)

What is your power steering fluid level like?

nevar

Just checked my power steering fluid and it looks like alien slime. My oil looks fine. I think that dealership is trying to get over on me. If thats it what do I do. The radiator has been flushed several times.

gnomee

iTrader: (16)

You will have to replace your power steering cooler or remove it. It has a leak internally allowing the two fluids to mix.

Not a big deal. Someone else who has gone thru it will chime in on flushing it.

ae13291

iTrader: (8)

ok now you can either by pass the cooler or buy another in its place! now you must do a complete radiator flush and power steering fluid flush!

wssix99

iTrader: (5)

My P/S cooler went bad at 20K miles and the dealer replaced it under warranty. I had to have the coolant system flushed twice to get rid of the slime and I also had to replace the coolant reservoir cap and dipstick because I the dried slime wouldn't come off.

After another 55K miles, I havn't had any issues or any traces of remaining P/S fluid in my coolant system.

I never got any noticeable amounts of coolant in my P/S system, so I'm not sure what would be involved with flushing that system out.

5301113

iTrader: (18)

Chiming in

I had the same problem i would check the power steering fluid and it was low or none at all, I would fill it up then check it a week later it was all gone.My Power steering cooler went out and the power steering fluid was going into the radiator.
If the oil looks normal it's not mixing with the oil. Power steering is mixing with the coolant
I'd changed the oil to just incase

Buy a new power steering cooler, it a dealer part for about $150 I think.
Dont bypass it, it's more hassle. mit be cheaper but more fab work
It's easy to replace.You can do it yourself .I did and i didn't have any
problems with it
Drain the radiator , remove the p s cooler, put new PS Cooler in, add power sterring fluid, put the flush fluid in the radiator drive it for 1 to 2 days with the flush then drain again.Add Coolant, Check the level of the power steering fluid it should still be all there. Check you coolant if it's not alien looking.Thats it

nevar

Thanks for all the help from you LS-1 guys. Much appreciated. Now I know my car doesn't have to be trashed, it can be fixed and can live to race another day.

joshp14

iTrader: (5)

Thats funny that the dealer told you it "could be the intake or bottom end of motor" considering the fact that no oil or coolant even touches the intake on these cars...(leaving out the crappy PCV system anyways lol)

I would do as these guys said and replace the P/S cooler and get a coolant flush to clean that crap out.