Oil in Cooler Fluid ? SOS - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

RoadRunner70 · 11-01-2023, 04:48 AM

Week ago i've replaced VVT seal because it was leaking right onto the front main seal. That time after removal the coolant pump I replenished the "shit" coolant fluid (vey cheap and strange color

). Today I added some discilled water and found that white signs appeared in the radiator refill hole.

With using cooling system cleaner I flushed antifreeze, then filled the water and flushed it, then added good coolant.

After driving a bit I found on the refill cap white spots again.

Could you please be so kind and advise that could be the reason ? As I understood, engine head could not be a reason due to its design.

Mouse330 · 11-01-2023, 03:33 PM

Engine oil cooler leaking into cooling system, Coolant flows through it.

RoadRunner70 · 11-01-2023, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mouse330

Engine oil cooler leaking into cooling system, Coolant flows through it.

Yes there is separate oil cooler under the car.. unfortunately, an expensive part. Based on the photos, are you sure that this is oil? Could it be a reaction to antifreeze?

Can I temporarily shut off the antifreeze supply line to this radiator? Will the oil necessarily overheat in this case?

CamaroCracka · 11-02-2023, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoadRunner70

Yes there is separate oil cooler under the car.. unfortunately, an expensive part. Based on the photos, are you sure that this is oil? Could it be a reaction to antifreeze?

Can I temporarily shut off the antifreeze supply line to this radiator? Will the oil necessarily overheat in this case?

Could you please be so kind and advise that could be the reason ? As I understood, engine head could not be a reason due to its design.

If you mean can you shut off coolant supply to the oil cooler, the answer is yes.

Have you checked what the fluid in the overflow looks like? Did you clean that out before refilling with coolant?

A blown head gasket can mix oil and coolant on pretty much any liquid cooled engine. Never heard of that not being the case for LS. Would like to hear that explanation.

RoadRunner70 · 11-02-2023, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroCracka

If you mean can you shut off coolant supply to the oil cooler, the answer is yes.

Have you checked what the fluid in the overflow looks like? Did you clean that out before refilling with coolant?

A blown head gasket can mix oil and coolant on pretty much any liquid cooled engine. Never heard of that not being the case for LS. Would like to hear that explanation.

I meant, what if to shut this T-hose off (marked red and yellow), drive several days and check the results ? Could the oil overheat in this case ? I know that many LS engines do not have a separate oil cooler at all.

I am sure, I searched all the forums. Oil Cooler is virtually the only way, in a LS series engine, that motor oil can find its way into the coolant. Only other possibility is a very low-probability crack in just the right place in the block

morepowerjoe · 11-03-2023, 12:09 AM

I think that the easiest thing to do would be a coolant pressure check.

CamaroCracka · 11-03-2023, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoadRunner70

I meant, what if to shut this T-hose off (marked red and yellow), drive several days and check the results ? Could the oil overheat in this case ? I know that many LS engines do not have a separate oil cooler at all.

Lots of people completely remove the oil cooler with no negative consequences, so I can't imagine cutting off flow would do anything more. Crimping that hose will greatly reduce flow, but the coolant intake line will still be connected at the block so...

gtstorey · 11-03-2023, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoadRunner70

I meant, what if to shut this T-hose off (marked red and yellow), drive several days and check the results ? Could the oil overheat in this case ? I know that many LS engines do not have a separate oil cooler at all.

I am sure, I searched all the forums. Oil Cooler is virtually the only way, in a LS series engine, that motor oil can find its way into the coolant. Only other possibility is a very low-probability crack in just the right place in the block

Not saying it's likely, but it could be caused by a leaking head gasket.

RoadRunner70 · 11-03-2023, 12:35 PM

Thank you all. As I mentioned before, I mixed cheapest pink, red, orange coolants from the different suppliers, but now i flushed system and now it's orange. I will continue to monitoring situation under the radiator cap... I have a couple questions more...

What is the thermostat's opening temp ? Mine opens at 221F, so coolant temp travels from 192 to 222F. I've ordered the 160-thermostat and maybe this will help. Is in normal that mine opens at 221F ?
What is the fans operating temp ? Mine begins to operate at 221F... If this temp is too late, what I should to check ?

What is the max oil temp in the downtown with hard traffic on stock car ? Mine shows 115-118F and oil pressure 26-30 psi (depends on temp).

I mean, maybe I could find the reason by this way..

gtstorey · 11-03-2023, 12:47 PM

Doubt your coolant thermostat is 221, never seen a thermostat that high. Stock is 190 which is what yours probably is. You are likely see the fan on at 220+, which is normal, varying down to the 190 of the thermostat depending on driving conditions/vehicle speeds.

Going to a cooler thermostat will be of limited use without changing the fan on speeds with a tuning program. It will still get to the fan on temp while sitting in traffic. And will hurt you fuel mileage while at highway speeds.

PlymouthBarracuda · 11-03-2023, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtstorey

Doubt your coolant thermostat is 221, never seen a thermostat that high. Stock is 190 which is what yours probably is. You are likely see the fan on at 220+, which is normal, varying down to the 190 of the thermostat depending on driving conditions/vehicle speeds.

Going to a cooler thermostat will be of limited use without changing the fan on speeds with a tuning program. It will still get to the fan on temp while sitting in traffic. And will hurt you fuel mileage while at highway speeds.

But cooler thermostat without tune will not damage the engine right ? I drive about 3 years with opening at 221F.

From your reply i understood that It will stay cooler when i driving then heat up to the fan settings in traffic. Not optimal but by no means is it hurting anything.

gtstorey · 11-03-2023, 01:03 PM

I still doubt that the thermostat is actually opening at 220+, you are just seeing it get that hot at times before the fan cuts on. But it won't "hurt" the motor to go to 160.

If you are just running a stock motor setup, just put a new 190 thermostat in.

PlymouthBarracuda · 11-03-2023, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtstorey

I still doubt that the thermostat is actually opening at 220+, you are just seeing it get that hot at times before the fan cuts on. But it won't "hurt" the motor to go to 160.

If you are just running a stock motor setup, just put a new 190 thermostat in.

i checked right now the t-stat exit hose, it's really cold until fans are online.

i ordered the second one 187, will check how 160 works without the tune and will it throw any codes

RoadRunner70 · 11-04-2023, 03:23 AM

I attach new photos. I have driven for a 10 miles in the traffic and highway.

11-01-2023, 04:48 AM	#1
RoadRunner70 Drives: Chevy Camaro SS 2012 Auto/TR Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: Gisela, Arizona Posts: 60	Oil in Cooler Fluid ? SOS Week ago i've replaced VVT seal because it was leaking right onto the front main seal. That time after removal the coolant pump I replenished the "shit" coolant fluid (vey cheap and strange color ). Today I added some discilled water and found that white signs appeared in the radiator refill hole. With using cooling system cleaner I flushed antifreeze, then filled the water and flushed it, then added good coolant. After driving a bit I found on the refill cap white spots again. Could you please be so kind and advise that could be the reason ? As I understood, engine head could not be a reason due to its design. Attached Images

11-03-2023, 12:09 AM	#6
morepowerjoe Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro l99 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,134	I think that the easiest thing to do would be a coolant pressure check. __________________ DSS FX Forged Pistons, Eagle ESP L19 Forged Rods, ARP Head and Main Studs, TSP PRC 260 CNC Ported Heads milled .030, Cometic .040 Head Gaskets, GPI SS3 VVT Camshaft, GM Performance Racing Lifters, CHE Trunnions , Molly Pushrods, Melling 10355HV Oil Pump, Cold Air Inductions CAI, Fast LSXR Intake Manifold, Nick Williams 103 TB, TSP 1 7/8" Longtubes with 3" TSP Exhaust, ZL1 Fuel Pump, Mishimoto Radiator, Mishimoto Oil Cooler, Tru Cool 40k Tranny Cooler, 3600 Circle D Converter, Fluid Dynamics Balancer Build Thread https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609817

11-04-2023, 03:23 AM	#14
RoadRunner70 Drives: Chevy Camaro SS 2012 Auto/TR Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: Gisela, Arizona Posts: 60	I attach new photos. I have driven for a 10 miles in the traffic and highway. Attached Images

11-01-2023, 03:33 PM	#2
Mouse330 Drives: 2011 2SS, 2006 GMC Sierra Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: MA Posts: 266	Engine oil cooler leaking into cooling system, Coolant flows through it.

11-03-2023, 12:35 PM	#9
RoadRunner70 Drives: Chevy Camaro SS 2012 Auto/TR Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: Gisela, Arizona Posts: 60	Thank you all. As I mentioned before, I mixed cheapest pink, red, orange coolants from the different suppliers, but now i flushed system and now it's orange. I will continue to monitoring situation under the radiator cap... I have a couple questions more... What is the thermostat's opening temp ? Mine opens at 221F, so coolant temp travels from 192 to 222F. I've ordered the 160-thermostat and maybe this will help. Is in normal that mine opens at 221F ? What is the fans operating temp ? Mine begins to operate at 221F... If this temp is too late, what I should to check ? What is the max oil temp in the downtown with hard traffic on stock car ? Mine shows 115-118F and oil pressure 26-30 psi (depends on temp). I mean, maybe I could find the reason by this way..

11-03-2023, 12:47 PM	#10
gtstorey Drives: 2010 Camaro SS2,L99, LSA SC Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,178	Doubt your coolant thermostat is 221, never seen a thermostat that high. Stock is 190 which is what yours probably is. You are likely see the fan on at 220+, which is normal, varying down to the 190 of the thermostat depending on driving conditions/vehicle speeds. Going to a cooler thermostat will be of limited use without changing the fan on speeds with a tuning program. It will still get to the fan on temp while sitting in traffic. And will hurt you fuel mileage while at highway speeds.

11-03-2023, 01:03 PM	#12
gtstorey Drives: 2010 Camaro SS2,L99, LSA SC Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,178	I still doubt that the thermostat is actually opening at 220+, you are just seeing it get that hot at times before the fan cuts on. But it won't "hurt" the motor to go to 160. If you are just running a stock motor setup, just put a new 190 thermostat in.