Throwing in the towel on my 97

lpowell · #1 (**permalink**) 03-17-04, 12:07 AM

Well, took my 97 catera back to dealer for more repairs. Timing belt bad, electrical short, Iac valve etc.......................... for a grand total of $3200.00
Add that to the repairs made in last 7 months for a total of $6500.00 (also had the trans replaced) I sure hope everyone else has better luck than I did!!!!!!!

ZiaBD4 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-17-04, 08:14 AM

That's a drag. I have never trusted the Cadillac dealer shops for diagnosis of problems and repairs needed. It appears that they are always looking for the quick solution of remove and replace rather than concentrating on the real issue. It usually results in great expense and several trips to the shop. The best results have always been to research the problem, get advice from people who have had the same type of problems, and then proceed with repairs.

The IAC is servicable, cleaning. The timing belt and water pump kit is covered under warranty.
Miguel

lpowell · #3 (**permalink**) 03-17-04, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZiaBD4

That's a drag. I have never trusted the Cadillac dealer shops for diagnosis of problems and repairs needed. It appears that they are always looking for the quick solution of remove and replace rather than concentrating on the real issue. It usually results in great expense and several trips to the shop. The best results have always been to research the problem, get advice from people who have had the same type of problems, and then proceed with repairs.

The IAC is servicable, cleaning. The timing belt and water pump kit is covered under warranty.
Miguel

I agree with you however, this car has been a NIGHTMARE, they won't cover timingbelt because recall done last year already, and IAC had crack (not real sure how it got there) Unfortunately, I can not afford the down time that I have with this car. In the last 7 months, I have had to leave it for 2-3 days at a time for 11 times for diag, repairs etc.. If it was an "extra" car, it would not be an issue.

rbauer · #4 (**permalink**) 03-29-04, 07:31 PM

I can't believe other people have the same problems with this piece of junk car! I also took my "97 catera back to the dealer today for the forty eleventh time. This time at a cost of $1679.00 A new oil cooler, and head gasket, and because the oil was in the spark plug depressions, I now need new wires,[ which I just had installed 4 months ago]. I can't get Cadillac to pay for anything or cut any slack. I also made the mistake of buying an extended warranty from the market when my origional was over. Boy did I get ripped. I've been to numerous garages and it always comes down to the same finding-- sorry, you to take it to cadillac. I'm thinking of filing something with the Lemon Law. I only have 85,000 miles on it. Anyone else been there?

R. Bauer

**Vesicant** · #5 (**permalink**) 03-29-04, 08:28 PM

I personally think that people need to leave the 97's alone... they by far are the worst trouble since they were the first year... our 2000 has only had two minor minor problems which were fixed UNDER warranty from Cadillac. I still think its a great car, just... they didnt make them too long so more improvements to the design could come, and they had a lot of 1st year troubles that just about any car company's model gets. I also think Cadillac is to blame a little, for leaving our market too fast and having us be in the dark. Truth is, on any car if the headgasket- or any other major engine component dies theres usually something else that goes with it.

You could get away with filling out a lemon complaint, but that would really depend on how many problems you get and the severity of them. Plus, I bet there are already a barrel full of them... it wont get you much advantage.

All 97-99 owners, I do feel sympathy for you... but if you take better precaution before buying a car ... who knows. Ive learned with so many cars having problems now a-days to check their recalls before you buy. Its not just our car. It roots from the base of a system of irresponsible automobile companies not putting the customer first when they know their model is having problems.

Speedingpenguin · #6 (**permalink**) 04-02-04, 08:39 PM

Sell it if its costing you that much.
I've got a 97 and I guess I should thank my lucky stars that i've just gotta replace the valve cover gaskets and get a new battery! lol
But yeah, its been in the shop before for all sorts of stuff....

lpowell · #7 (**permalink**) 04-06-04, 11:24 PM

Well, I did it. I am now back on the road! Gave up, bought suburban. The catera sits in its usual position in my driveway.(not running) I am trying to find someone to work on it other than dealer. Will give it to my daughter if I can ever get it running I do miss the way it handles and rides though!

Speedingpenguin · #8 (**permalink**) 04-07-04, 07:29 PM

Do like my dad did-Let your daughter have it if she can fix it :-P
I dunno how interested in cars she is, but me being a car nut i was able to fix the problem that it had in just days, now i'm just working on the small stuff :-)
Well now at least i know that my house isnt the only one in the world with a Catera sitting at the top of the driveway not running :-)
You should still try and get it working good though, it would make a nice second car to have avalable to use (My guess is that the Suburban isnt the most fuel effecient vehicle out there? LOL)

woodwine · #9 (**permalink**) 07-12-04, 02:05 PM

Here i am reading all this bad stuff about the 97 catera and to tell you guys the truth, im really scared now.
I bought my car couple of weeks ago, 58.000 miles, everything works, and i more than happy.
What could i do to avoid all these problems before they start?????

**Vesicant** · #10 (**permalink**) 07-12-04, 05:32 PM

You can really only keep up on what your cars condition is...

Check tire wear

Check your oil for coolant contamination and a moderatly thick milky substance underneath oil cap - Oil cooler malfunction

Check your coolant for discoloration (should turn chocolate/brown colored when oil is introduced) - Oil cooler malfunction

Check the sparkplug wire boots , for oil contamination - Valve cover gaskets

Timing Belt/Tensioner - Completely throws timing off, valves can bend , piston damage, waterpump can also be trashed. Good thing is most cars have already been fixed.

These are major's for this vehicle (except for valve covers), any other problem you may or may not get, happens to any vehicle.