Coolant in Radiator - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

CamaroNEwOwn · 02-16-2019, 08:37 PM

Hello, I just bought my 2013 chevy camaro v6. I was checking all the fluids and when i did the coolant cap has this dark orange fluid in it. I know its coolant and i know they take orange but does this look like maybe theres oil in there too? and whats the film on top of the fluids.
car has 60k miles. I linked up a pic of the coolant

Sinister10 · 02-16-2019, 09:27 PM

looks normal to me.

HyperV117 · 02-18-2019, 10:28 AM

Looks normal. I would switch it out though. Who knows if that's the original coolant.

Rock-It Man · 02-18-2019, 05:04 PM

If there's oil in the coolant, you will see light brown foam on the underside of the radiator cap.

PepeLePew · 02-28-2019, 09:50 AM

That doesn't look normal to me. I opened the cap on both of may camaros (2010 SS and 2011 LT). They are both orange with no film on top. I agree with the others that you should change the coolant and check it again after 500-1000 miles. If there is oil and coolant mixing, then you may have coolant in your oil as well. Look at the underside of the oil cap and see if there is a white to light brown milky substance on the underside of the cap. If you only drive 5 miles at a time, it could be normal condensation that doesn't burn off. But if you drive longer distances at full operating temperature, the cap should be dry. If you have coolant in your oil, change it frequently until you figure out where it is coming from (head gaskets are the main culprit).

Good luck and let us know what you find out.

Livernois Motorsports · 02-28-2019, 09:55 AM

If it has oil in it then you will get that milky look. I wouldn't say yours looks all that crazy so like others said just flush and keep an eye on it from here. Hope all goes well.

JerTM · 02-28-2019, 11:24 AM

I'v opened a few GM cooling systems, that doesn't look abnormal to me. Like others have said, flush the coolant and fill with new.

02-16-2019, 08:37 PM	#1
CamaroNEwOwn Drives: 2013 camaro lt Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Sacramento Posts: 1	Coolant in Radiator Hello, I just bought my 2013 chevy camaro v6. I was checking all the fluids and when i did the coolant cap has this dark orange fluid in it. I know its coolant and i know they take orange but does this look like maybe theres oil in there too? and whats the film on top of the fluids. car has 60k miles. I linked up a pic of the coolant Attached Images

02-16-2019, 09:27 PM	#2
Sinister10 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Indiana Posts: 544	looks normal to me. __________________ 2010 2SS/RS 6M, MGW flatstick, CAI cold air intake, SLP loudmouth 2 axleback, TSP 1 7/8 headers w/ hfc, pfadt 1" springs, SRP pedals, emblempros "6.2L" emblems on hood, ZL1 grill, M/T SC-5 wheels, nitto motivo 275f 315r. ZL1 addons wickerbill, smoked lenses, resonator delete x pipe, diode dynamics DRLs 1LE suede steering wheel, mighty mouse CC. SCTX4 and Dyno Steve tune.

02-18-2019, 10:28 AM	#3
HyperV117 Drives: 2010 Camaro 1SS Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: CA Posts: 358	Looks normal. I would switch it out though. Who knows if that's the original coolant. __________________

02-18-2019, 05:04 PM	#4
Rock-It Man 376 cubic inches of fun Drives: 2023 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MA Posts: 4,028 View My Garage	If there's oil in the coolant, you will see light brown foam on the underside of the radiator cap.

02-28-2019, 09:50 AM	#5
PepeLePew Drives: 2010 2SS Coupe; 2011 2LT Vert Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Prosper, TX Posts: 458	That doesn't look normal to me. I opened the cap on both of may camaros (2010 SS and 2011 LT). They are both orange with no film on top. I agree with the others that you should change the coolant and check it again after 500-1000 miles. If there is oil and coolant mixing, then you may have coolant in your oil as well. Look at the underside of the oil cap and see if there is a white to light brown milky substance on the underside of the cap. If you only drive 5 miles at a time, it could be normal condensation that doesn't burn off. But if you drive longer distances at full operating temperature, the cap should be dry. If you have coolant in your oil, change it frequently until you figure out where it is coming from (head gaskets are the main culprit). Good luck and let us know what you find out.

02-28-2019, 09:55 AM	#6
Livernois Motorsports Drives: 2010 Camaro 454 LSX (SOLD) Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Dearborn Heights, MI Posts: 792	If it has oil in it then you will get that milky look. I wouldn't say yours looks all that crazy so like others said just flush and keep an eye on it from here. Hope all goes well.

02-28-2019, 11:24 AM	#7
JerTM Drives: 2011 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Utah Posts: 1,941	I'v opened a few GM cooling systems, that doesn't look abnormal to me. Like others have said, flush the coolant and fill with new.