Engine Block

1998catera · #1 (**permalink**) 11-21-06, 04:35 PM

hey guys. just for the record, i will NEVER buy another cadillac.

with that said, i have a cracked engine block as of yesterday. Is there anything like a recall or such, that would make cadillac liable? (i dont have $2000 so im clutching for straws)

incidently...if i do fix it, i'm selling it. if i don't fix it, im selling it.

contourbs · #2 (**permalink**) 11-21-06, 09:21 PM

never heard of the block cracking, what caused that

1998catera · #3 (**permalink**) 11-21-06, 09:46 PM

scratch that...it was misdiagnosed...heater control valve

**Vesicant** · #4 (**permalink**) 11-21-06, 09:49 PM

Holy crap...

thats a little better lol

Still somewhat expensive though, along the lines of $200 if done by Cadillac

contourbs · #5 (**permalink**) 11-21-06, 10:31 PM

or 60 dollars and do it yourself

guardian · #6 (**permalink**) 11-21-06, 10:56 PM

Couple of things:

Catera has its share of problems, no question. Cracked blocks, however, are not on the list.

Also for sure:

The Catera is not a Cadillac; it's an Opel gussied up to LOOK like a Cadillac.

todd2fst4u · #7 (**permalink**) 11-22-06, 01:44 AM

i had my HCV and oil cooler replaced a couple of weeks ago. cost $2000 at the dealer.

contourbs · #8 (**permalink**) 11-22-06, 08:13 AM

sorry to hear you went to the dealer. parts would have only been 300 dollars.

graphicsman · #9 (**permalink**) 11-22-06, 12:29 PM

Wow, I had the same done at a dealer in San Jose and it was $300 for the HCV and $800 for the cooler. (this was before I found this forum and the Vauxhall forum). I think you got screwed. It should be standard "booktime", but maybe your dealer rarely see Cat's.

The damn HCV likes to go every few years it seems. Looking back at the records for my '99, the previous owner replaced it twice, and I've replaced it once. I've heard people having better luck with an HCV from a Chevy truck, but I haven't had need to look it up and see if it's going to work.

contourbs · #10 (**permalink**) 11-22-06, 08:37 PM

when doing the oil cooler it must be really easy to change the hcv

1998catera · #11 (**permalink**) 11-25-06, 03:45 PM

i had the cooler changed two weeks after i bought the car...yeah...but i only bought it with 50k so im all good now. anyway, i took it to the dealer and they're replacing a seal on the cooling system, all of the valve covers, the HCV, sparkplug wells filled with oil, spark plugs, coolant flush, etc. for $500 even.