I have oil in a radiator & now after flushing same ? (Chevy camaro 2002, manual 5sp)

Question

1. Chevy Camaro V6 2002 manual 5spd.

2. Oil hight is ok.

3. The engine works without problem.

Answer 1

If oil is mixing with your coolant, you probably have a blown head gasket.  That means big bucks to fix.  

Sorry.

Answer 2

It depends on how much oil is in the coolant..It cant be a lot because you say the oil level is fine..If the engine runs fine and does not overheat you are ok.  don,t worry...That just means you have a small gasket leak somewhere in the engine..A little oil or gas seepage into  the anti freeze looks like a lot..But if you are not losing a lot of oil or antifreeze your ok...One thing... make sure you are using the correct coolant specified for aluminum componet engines..This car this year has an aluminum intake..Aluminum intake high performance prone to leekage...but no big deal

Answer 3

How serious is the oil problem? Globules, milky water, a faint slick on top seen through the radiator top?

If it is the coloured slick, then there may actually be NOTHING wrong - a minute sample could have come off your fingers and will make the rainbow effect.

The engine will probably appear to work OK.  There may not be a leak between the cylinder and elsewhere to make you think you have a blown head gasket.

But oil in the radiator water means it has seeped there, travelling either between the oil and water channels in the gasket, or much worse through the head or block itself, due to corrosion or cracking or warping.  I'd favour and prefer that it was purely the gasket, as they can be replaced and the head and block surfaces made true and dead smooth.  Corrosion means replacing things - expensive.

And BTW - if the radiator coolant has not been correctly looked after and replaced as required by service, then corrosion may be a real issue - YUK.

Answer 4

oil in water or water in oil same thing blown head gasket

Answer 5

Some posters here sing the same silly song blown head gasket.This must be all they know .A leaking intake gasket around a water jacket can cause coolant to enter the oil system.One thing for sure you need to have the dealer or local repair shop check this problem out real soon.Anytime you have oil and coolant getting together the sooner its fixed the better.Best of luck with your camaro.