Fluid Leak - Oil? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

tharris · 03-31-2013, 03:57 PM

I have a 2012 Camaro SS V8 and noticed a silver dollar sized fluid leak under the car which wasn't there last week. It looks a bit like oil but felt sticky and didn't smell like "normal" oil; this fluid smells more like strong antifreeze but its color looks like oil.

Under the car inspection showed fluid dripping down the transmission bell cover (passenger side); I can't see any more than what the picture shows - the top right side of the photo is towards the front of the engine.

The car only has 3,100 miles on it; 9 months old.

Any ideas would be helpful - appointment with the dealer is next weekend.

Thanks

SS King · 03-31-2013, 04:05 PM

Dex cool

tharris · 03-31-2013, 04:11 PM

I came across another thread at http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106513 that talks about an oil cooler hose that is on the left side of the engine block which I assume means passenger side. Is this what you are referring to and is it in the right location for fluid to drip down the side of the transmission housing?

Thanks

2011 SS SLP ZL427 · 03-31-2013, 05:33 PM

That document you have posted is for the 2010 Camaro SS's I believe that coolant problem was unique to the early 2010's Camaros yours is a 2013, that wont apply to yours however yours still could very well have a leak in that area, or somewhere else that very well might be a problem for the 2013's take it in to the Dealer and see what they have to say about it.

tharris · 03-31-2013, 07:09 PM

That's the plan; dealer appointment next Saturday. Just looking for ideas about what could be the source of the leak.... BTW, its a 2012 SS if that makes any difference.

MARINE1991 · 03-31-2013, 07:20 PM

Looks like oil ls3 have a know issue with oil leaks

Rock-It Man · 03-31-2013, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tharris

I came across another thread at http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106513 that talks about an oil cooler hose that is on the left side of the engine block which I assume means passenger side. Is this what you are referring to and is it in the right location for fluid to drip down the side of the transmission housing?

Thanks

Left side=driver's side, unless you are in the UK.

And that's the side the fitting is on. You need to put the car on a lift or ramps to see this location.

Whipped416 · 03-31-2013, 08:52 PM

that looks like oil

tharris · 04-01-2013, 07:22 AM

It does look like oil - anything above that area that is likely to leak? Rear engine gasket or main seal are the two that seem possible. Would the main seal leak down the side of the transmission housing like that?

2011 SS SLP ZL427 · 04-01-2013, 07:45 AM

Im sorry I thouhght yours was a 2013, if it is an oil leak it could be either the oil pan, oil cooler, or rear main seal those are the 3 most common places for a leak on an LS3.

tharris · 04-01-2013, 11:08 AM

Where exactly is the oil cooler? Tried to find documentation on it like a diagram but nothing so far. Thanks

solo3445 · 04-01-2013, 02:30 PM

I have it too.

2011 SS SLP ZL427 · 04-01-2013, 05:01 PM

What year is your car I thought this oil leak was only on the early 2010's because of a gasket problem on the oil cooler, is this a problem occuring on all years past 2010???

solo3445 · 04-01-2013, 05:03 PM

My is a 2010 with only 3100 mile on it. I do have kook Lt header and a tune too....

03-31-2013, 03:57 PM	#1
tharris Drives: 2012 Camaro SS 45th, V8 Automatic Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 12	Fluid Leak - Oil? I have a 2012 Camaro SS V8 and noticed a silver dollar sized fluid leak under the car which wasn't there last week. It looks a bit like oil but felt sticky and didn't smell like "normal" oil; this fluid smells more like strong antifreeze but its color looks like oil. Under the car inspection showed fluid dripping down the transmission bell cover (passenger side); I can't see any more than what the picture shows - the top right side of the photo is towards the front of the engine. The car only has 3,100 miles on it; 9 months old. Any ideas would be helpful - appointment with the dealer is next weekend. Thanks Attached Images

03-31-2013, 04:05 PM	#2
SS King Drives: a Panty Dropper Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Dehi Posts: 478	Dex cool __________________

03-31-2013, 05:33 PM	#4
2011 SS SLP ZL427 Drives: 2011 SS ZL427 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Drums PA Posts: 115	That document you have posted is for the 2010 Camaro SS's I believe that coolant problem was unique to the early 2010's Camaros yours is a 2013, that wont apply to yours however yours still could very well have a leak in that area, or somewhere else that very well might be a problem for the 2013's take it in to the Dealer and see what they have to say about it. __________________

04-01-2013, 07:45 AM	#10
2011 SS SLP ZL427 Drives: 2011 SS ZL427 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Drums PA Posts: 115	Im sorry I thouhght yours was a 2013, if it is an oil leak it could be either the oil pan, oil cooler, or rear main seal those are the 3 most common places for a leak on an LS3. __________________

04-01-2013, 02:30 PM	#12
solo3445 Drives: My SS2................ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: york Posts: 274 View My Garage	I have it too. Attached Images __________________

03-31-2013, 04:11 PM	#3
tharris Drives: 2012 Camaro SS 45th, V8 Automatic Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 12	I came across another thread at http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=106513 that talks about an oil cooler hose that is on the left side of the engine block which I assume means passenger side. Is this what you are referring to and is it in the right location for fluid to drip down the side of the transmission housing? Thanks

03-31-2013, 07:09 PM	#5
tharris Drives: 2012 Camaro SS 45th, V8 Automatic Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 12	That's the plan; dealer appointment next Saturday. Just looking for ideas about what could be the source of the leak.... BTW, its a 2012 SS if that makes any difference.

03-31-2013, 07:20 PM	#6
MARINE1991 Drives: COTW 8/29/11 2010 CAMARO Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: HOMELESS Posts: 10,010 View My Garage	Looks like oil ls3 have a know issue with oil leaks

03-31-2013, 08:52 PM	#8
Whipped416 Drives: 2010 CAMARO SS Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 1,515 View My Garage	that looks like oil

04-01-2013, 07:22 AM	#9
tharris Drives: 2012 Camaro SS 45th, V8 Automatic Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 12	It does look like oil - anything above that area that is likely to leak? Rear engine gasket or main seal are the two that seem possible. Would the main seal leak down the side of the transmission housing like that?

04-01-2013, 11:08 AM	#11
tharris Drives: 2012 Camaro SS 45th, V8 Automatic Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 12	Where exactly is the oil cooler? Tried to find documentation on it like a diagram but nothing so far. Thanks

04-01-2013, 05:01 PM	#13
2011 SS SLP ZL427 Drives: 2011 SS ZL427 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Drums PA Posts: 115	What year is your car I thought this oil leak was only on the early 2010's because of a gasket problem on the oil cooler, is this a problem occuring on all years past 2010??? __________________

04-01-2013, 05:03 PM	#14
solo3445 Drives: My SS2................ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: york Posts: 274 View My Garage	My is a 2010 with only 3100 mile on it. I do have kook Lt header and a tune too.... __________________