Earlier today I went out and started my Firebird ('89 2.8l v6) let it idle for a few seconds and pulled it around back to do some tinkering. Popped the hood and went straight for the rad. cap and noticed a little bit of foam (radiator looks very clean inside though,almost new). The fluid inside the radiator was kinda clear to (like less coolant/more water). Thought it was odd so I did some searching and found out exactly what I didnt want to hear.

I took the car around a couple blocks a few times and brought it back home,popped the cap and sure enough the foam was all the way to the top. It smells like coolant,and the oil looks fresh with no traces of water. The hoses looked kinda old but still ok and I didnt notice any leaks although last night after I got home from work shortly after I noticed some mystery puddles and crawled under the car as much as I could but didnt notice any leaking. Although earlier today after I brought it back to let it sit I put a large piece of cardboard under it and now I see I have a slight oil leak,noticed one droplet around the drain plug and one at the end of the pan (towards transmission),not sure if that helps any....

I've never seen this before but then again I'm no mechanic and far from one,so what do I do? where do I go from here? what needs to be checked etc. etc. ?

I'd really appreciate any advice!

Thanks.

 

foamy radiator fluid is usually due to an intake manifold or head gasket leak

it happens
more often than you think especially on TBI vehicles

happy gasket replacing

 

Blown headgasket?