98 STS no antifreeze

ferp · #1 (**permalink**) 10-17-09, 05:15 PM

I have a 99 STS. I was looking at a 98 STS today, cheap, everything is nice about the car,very clean wood steering/shifter and paint and wheels.
Problem, no antifreeze.The guy says he is no mechanic but thinks it is the HG. He said there is no smoke from exhaust but he did smell Prestone. He wants 1200$. Im thinking on getting it for parts. But if I can put it on the road that would be nice for a winter ride.
I do not have wood steering/shifter the wheels, with new YOKAHAMA tires.
Could the problem with no Prestone be somthing else. I will be going to see the car again with Prestone in it, I will be looking for bubbling Prestone.

**Ranger** · #2 (**permalink**) 10-17-09, 05:39 PM

At least he is honest. If he "smells" coolant, it could be an external leak. HG's rarely leak externally. The only way you'd smell coolant with a HG leak is from a steamy exhaust.

ferp · #3 (**permalink**) 10-17-09, 07:58 PM

Thanks,RANGER.
I will look or smell for that

00 Deville · #4 (**permalink**) 10-17-09, 08:08 PM

If you want to know for sure if she has a blown head gasket you will need to check for exhaust gasses in the overflow bottle. You will need to drive the car a while to build the gasses back up in the airspace above the coolant. Recent coolant additions allows the exhaust gasses to escape. The tester can be bought at NAPA for $50 or rented from Auto Zone for less.

http://www.arrowheadradiator.com/hea..._leak_test.htm

ferp · #5 (**permalink**) 10-17-09, 08:39 PM

I understand
Thanks ,00

ben.gators · #6 (**permalink**) 10-17-09, 09:03 PM

I can smell blown HG from here

else it was not 1200$.... Based on the millage on car this 1200$ is one third, or even one fourth of the main value of car, so there should be some critical issue over there, probably HG... Be careful buddy about this car and conduct the tests friends suggested.. Goodluck!

zonie77 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-17-09, 11:54 PM

There are a couple of guys on the forum doing the HG's. About $2000 job. If you are a decent mechanic you can do it yourself somewhat cheaper. It's not rocket science but it is a long tedious job.

With bad HG's overheating will get worse and worse, so you can't put it off indefinitely. In early stages it will overheat under load and gradually lose coolant whenever it's driven. You probably will not see bubbling coolant until the HG's are totally gone.

Where are you located?

motorking · #8 (**permalink**) 10-19-09, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferp

I have a 99 STS. I was looking at a 98 STS today, cheap, everything is nice about the car,very clean wood steering/shifter and paint and wheels.
Problem, no antifreeze.The guy says he is no mechanic but thinks it is the HG. He said there is no smoke from exhaust but he did smell Prestone. He wants 1200$. Im thinking on getting it for parts. But if I can put it on the road that would be nice for a winter ride.
I do not have wood steering/shifter the wheels, with new YOKAHAMA tires.
Could the problem with no Prestone be somthing else. I will be going to see the car again with Prestone in it, I will be looking for bubbling Prestone.

Hello,
I am the Technical Training Manager for Prestone coolants. I am also a heavy duty engine mechanic in my shop, MotorKing. After reading this post, I am sure that if you fill the cooling system with water or antifreeze and then run the car untill it gets to full operating temp, you will likely see dense white smoke out the exhaust, clear indicator of blown HG's a known issue with these cars. There is only ONE correct way to fix them and it is more involved than just pulling the heads and installing new gaskets. the threaded holes in the block get stressed from old age and torque to yield head bolts. They must be drilled out and have thread inserts installed called "timeserts". this is the only correct way to repair. You can just do it without intstalling the thread inserts and it will not last long at all. If you do buy the car and are going to fix it, find a cadillac tech that knows how to install the thread inserts.
Good day.

ferp · #9 (**permalink**) 10-19-09, 07:46 PM

I live in Ontario Canada. And thanks guys for the heads up.

JimD · #10 (**permalink**) 10-19-09, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferp

I live in Ontario Canada. And thanks guys for the heads up.

If you decide to buy the car knowing you might have to deal with an undiagnosed head gasket failure, know that there is an experienced shop owner near London that specializes in Northstar repairs.

As to the cause/effect (or chicken/egg) of the reported (undeserved) Northstar head gasket reputation, I will offer my limited experience.

Coolant replacement as recommended in the Owners Manual can and will prevent deterioration of the head gasket(s). My '98 model is currently at 185,000+ miles (298,000+ KM) and running as well as the day I bought it (new).

stssteve · #11 (**permalink**) 10-20-09, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimD

If you decide to buy the car knowing you might have to deal with an undiagnosed head gasket failure, know that there is an experienced shop owner near London that specializes in Northstar repairs.

As to the cause/effect (or chicken/egg) of the reported (undeserved) Northstar head gasket reputation, I will offer my limited experience.

Coolant replacement as recommended in the Owners Manual can and will prevent deterioration of the head gasket(s). My '98 model is currently at 185,000+ miles (298,000+ KM) and running as well as the day I bought it (new).

The shop near London, Ont specializing in Northstars is www.northstarperformance.com.
There's is a phone # and email address on the website and the guy's name is Jake. He is very thorough and extremely competent with all his work. He's done my HG's and I was am very impressed by them. The shop is actually closer to Tillsonburg if you're familair with the area.