Coolant in oil?

mtdwye0 · 01-13-2024, 09:54 AM

I've got a 23 1LE, 3500 miles. Had one oil change (dealer). Checked my oil level last week and saw something just like this under my oil cap. Wiped it off, checked this morning and same thing. I'm thinking this is NOT normal and may be coolant in my oil.

Thoughts? Matt

cdb95z28 · 01-13-2024, 10:17 AM

I suspect it is just a little condensation. How long did the engine run between you checking it?

mtdwye0 · 01-13-2024, 10:22 AM

I noticed it last weekend, wiped it clean, then checked this morning. Car last ran yesterday at 5pm. Also have done mostly short trips lately, several miles to maybe 10 tops. Is my daily. Thx! Matt

arpad_m · 01-13-2024, 11:16 AM

It looks more like condensation to me, too.

Check two things: make sure your coolant level is stable over a couple hundred miles; also pull the dispstick and see what the oil on it looks like, if it isn't creamy at all, you are unlikely to have coolant in the oil.

I did actually have a coolant mixing into the oil issue once (due to a tiny head core shift in the factory, thanks GM), and the oil looked like frothy latte on the oil cap, even worse on the dispstick.

N Camarolina · 01-13-2024, 11:36 AM

I'll add here that the issue of condensation and frequent short trips as a cause (especially in colder months) has been discussed in previous threads. What it boils down to is that most of the time you drive the car, you need to ensure you run the engine long enough to get the oil up to normal operating temp (200F) to remove condensation (and some of the other oil contaminants) formed during cold start and the run-up to full warmed temps. Given that we are working with 10Qts of oil, that typically takes about 15 minutes minimum of driving (hot weather) or longer (colder weather). Likewise, don't do any mid to high RPM pulls until the oil is fully warmed up, as it may compromise lubrication to key bearings.

You can use the oil temp display in the DIC (performance menu) to observe oil temp as it's warming up. DO NOT go by the coolant temp gauges, as engine coolant gets up to operating temp much faster than the oil does.

mtdwye0 · 01-13-2024, 01:58 PM

Cool, appreciate the thoughts and tips!! Just noticed that my expansion tank is empty—don’t think it was ever filled up since I purchased. So will fill that today. Checked the dipstick and oil cap and both look fine to me, nothing gunky on either. I’ll keep an eye on dipstick, oil cap, and coolant level. Never had a car that had a little place for stuff to gather behind the oil cap, all have been vertical. Matt

Spaceme1117 · 01-13-2024, 02:45 PM

It is just condensation. See this plenty of times.

Mid_Life_Crisis · 01-13-2024, 09:35 PM

As said…..get the engine hot. Drive it longer and that will go away.

SwL_Wildcat · 01-19-2024, 04:30 PM

Swing by a Finning, Deere, etc dealership and get an oil test kit. Check off the box "% glycol". They make a suction gun with a small hose you can slide down the dipstick hole and take the sample if you prefer not to drain any oil out the bottom. Take the sample back to where you bought it from and have them send it out for analysis. In about 3 days you will have a definitive answer.

01-13-2024, 09:54 AM	#1
mtdwye0 Drives: 2023 2SS 1LE Join Date: Jun 2023 Location: TN Posts: 21	Coolant in oil? I've got a 23 1LE, 3500 miles. Had one oil change (dealer). Checked my oil level last week and saw something just like this under my oil cap. Wiped it off, checked this morning and same thing. I'm thinking this is NOT normal and may be coolant in my oil. Thoughts? Matt Attached Images

01-13-2024, 10:17 AM	#2
cdb95z28 Drives: 2022 1SS 1LE A10 BCD WCT+PDR Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Johnstown, PA Posts: 3,211	I suspect it is just a little condensation. How long did the engine run between you checking it? __________________ 2022 1SS 1LE A10 BCD WCT+PDR2014 1SS 1LE NPP RECARO SIM-SOLD1995 Z28 M6 GSC PGM-SOLD1975 NOVA COUPE 300HP 350 TH350 FLASH RED-SOLD

01-13-2024, 11:16 AM	#4
arpad_m Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 11,625 View My Garage	It looks more like condensation to me, too. Check two things: make sure your coolant level is stable over a couple hundred miles; also pull the dispstick and see what the oil on it looks like, if it isn't creamy at all, you are unlikely to have coolant in the oil. I did actually have a coolant mixing into the oil issue once (due to a tiny head core shift in the factory, thanks GM), and the oil looked like frothy latte on the oil cap, even worse on the dispstick. __________________ 2018 Camaro 2SS — G7E MX0 NPP F55 IO6 735 rwhp \| 665 rwtq Magnuson TVS 2300 80mm pulley \| Kooks 1 7/8" LT headers \| JRE smooth idle terminator cam \| LT4 FS & injectors \| TSP forged pistons & rods JMS PowerMAX \| DSX flex fuel kit \| Roto-Fab CAI \| Soler 95mm LT5 TB \| 1LE wheels \| 1LE brakes \| BMR rear cradle lockout \| JRE custom tune 1100 - 1/30/18 \| 2000 - 1/31/18 3000 - 2/06/18 TPW 2/26/18 3400 - 2/19/18 \| 3800 - 2/26/18 4300 - 2/27/18 \| 4B00 - 3/01/18 4200 - 3/05/18 \| 4800 - 3/14/18 5000 - 3/16/18 \| 6000 - 3/19/18

01-13-2024, 09:35 PM	#8
Mid_Life_Crisis Drives: 2023 Chevy Camaro 2LT V6 6MT Join Date: Sep 2023 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 88	As said…..get the engine hot. Drive it longer and that will go away. __________________ 2023 Camaro 2LT V6 6MT Vivid Orange Metallic

01-13-2024, 10:22 AM	#3
mtdwye0 Drives: 2023 2SS 1LE Join Date: Jun 2023 Location: TN Posts: 21	I noticed it last weekend, wiped it clean, then checked this morning. Car last ran yesterday at 5pm. Also have done mostly short trips lately, several miles to maybe 10 tops. Is my daily. Thx! Matt

01-13-2024, 11:36 AM	#5
N Camarolina Drives: 2021 2SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 805	I'll add here that the issue of condensation and frequent short trips as a cause (especially in colder months) has been discussed in previous threads. What it boils down to is that most of the time you drive the car, you need to ensure you run the engine long enough to get the oil up to normal operating temp (200F) to remove condensation (and some of the other oil contaminants) formed during cold start and the run-up to full warmed temps. Given that we are working with 10Qts of oil, that typically takes about 15 minutes minimum of driving (hot weather) or longer (colder weather). Likewise, don't do any mid to high RPM pulls until the oil is fully warmed up, as it may compromise lubrication to key bearings. You can use the oil temp display in the DIC (performance menu) to observe oil temp as it's warming up. DO NOT go by the coolant temp gauges, as engine coolant gets up to operating temp much faster than the oil does.

01-13-2024, 01:58 PM	#6
mtdwye0 Drives: 2023 2SS 1LE Join Date: Jun 2023 Location: TN Posts: 21	Cool, appreciate the thoughts and tips!! Just noticed that my expansion tank is empty—don’t think it was ever filled up since I purchased. So will fill that today. Checked the dipstick and oil cap and both look fine to me, nothing gunky on either. I’ll keep an eye on dipstick, oil cap, and coolant level. Never had a car that had a little place for stuff to gather behind the oil cap, all have been vertical. Matt

01-13-2024, 02:45 PM	#7
Spaceme1117 Drives: 2017 Camaro SS, 2011 Corvette GS Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Erlanger, Kentucky 41018 Posts: 815	It is just condensation. See this plenty of times.

01-19-2024, 04:30 PM	#9
SwL_Wildcat Drives: 2024 ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: Campbell River, BC, Canada Eh! Posts: 375	Swing by a Finning, Deere, etc dealership and get an oil test kit. Check off the box "% glycol". They make a suction gun with a small hose you can slide down the dipstick hole and take the sample if you prefer not to drain any oil out the bottom. Take the sample back to where you bought it from and have them send it out for analysis. In about 3 days you will have a definitive answer.

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