Disturbing revelation...

Mr2U · #1 (**permalink**) 05-23-06, 06:22 AM

Hi,

I'm in the market for a used 97-99 Cadilllac SLS. I have checked various leads and came across one private seller who seemed very candid and upfront with me. He stated that ALL Northstar engines leak oil. He went on to say that if you find a used Caddy anywhere and it does NOT leak oil, it is because the dealer/private seller added 70 weight oil to disquise the defect.

Thoughts and/or suggestions?

Thanks!

-Maybe NOT soon to be a Caddy owner

JimHare · #2 (**permalink**) 05-23-06, 07:52 AM

Incorrect. Neither of my two LEAK oil, and my earlier 99 Deville didn't either. I run 5w-30 in them, as per factory. This fellow is not correct. First off, saying ALL Northstars LEAK oil is quite a comprehensive statement, don't you think, seeing as how there are probably about 13 million Northstar engines on the road...

There ARE people who have experienced some leaks - a half-case seal leak, or a rear main, I think it is. The first is considered a nuisance leak - one or two drips a night, not worth the expense of repair.

You have to remember that the population on this board (or any other internet forum dedicated to users/owners of a particular object) is heavily weighted towards wither disgruntled users (and there are some, let's be honest) or 'enthusiasts', to whom ANY minor imperfection is a cause for alarm. This does NOT in any way represent an accurate cross sections of N* or Caddy ownership in general.

So, NO, this fellow is dead wrong.

That said, the N* engine in general is designed to BURN a bit of oil, due to it's design. It has a very aggressive cross-hatch pattern on the cylinder walls, and the rings are designed to allow a certain amount of oil past them, which ends up being burned. THIS IS GOOD. It helps to ensure the longevity of the basic powerplant, many THOUSANDS of which have 200K+ miles on them with NO internal wear.

My 2002 Deville with 134K miles burns about a quart every 1200 miles, and it is driven HARD with lots of high speed turnpike driving (50K a year). My 01 ETC with 67K miles burns about a half pint every 1000 miles, it is driven HARD on occasion but not as much as the Deville.

These are highly sophisticated, very intricate powerplants with very advanced engine management design. They are not OHV Chevy 302s with rocker arms and cast iron blocks. Check around on this forum, check out the technical archives listed at the top of the home page, and you get some very useful information.

Tell your selling friend to go soak his head.

Mr2U · #3 (**permalink**) 05-23-06, 08:09 AM

Jim,

Thanks for your response. I have been stewing about purchasing an sls for over 2 months now... Just don't want to get stuck with a high repair bill right out of the gate.

Thanks again,

-C

caddydaddy · #4 (**permalink**) 05-23-06, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr2U

Jim,

Thanks for your response. I have been stewing about purchasing an sls for over 2 months now... Just don't want to get stuck with a high repair bill right out of the gate.

Thanks again,

-C

Most of the Northstars that DO leak are minor seeping around the block halves. And it's so minor owners don't even know it unless a mechanic points it out! Most of the time this leak never hits the ground either.

chazglenn3 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-23-06, 09:52 AM

Caddydaddy used the correct terminolgy...SEEP not LEAK...a huge difference to me. A NorthStar with some seepage is of no concern to me. On my previous 96 STS I found some drops on the garage floor one day that turned out to be the oil cooler lines leaking...dealer put new o-rings in and I was out the door for less than an hours labor and the cost of the parts. Never another drop.

Charles

deskjockey · #6 (**permalink**) 05-23-06, 10:01 AM

yep, 1995 SLS here, slight seep, never enough to even make a puddle, just might find some on bottom of engine when i lift it & mine has 130k now.

Mr2U · #7 (**permalink**) 05-23-06, 10:05 AM

Thanks all for the input... I'm off... I have a two hour drive to go check her out, get it warmed up and see how it rides. Any pointers of other things to look over before forking over the cash? Wish me luck!

Thanks again,

-C

97ETCPowerHouse · #8 (**permalink**) 05-23-06, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr2U

Thanks all for the input... I'm off... I have a two hour drive to go check her out, get it warmed up and see how it rides. Any pointers of other things to look over before forking over the cash? Wish me luck!

Thanks again,

-C

My ETC has 99,290 miles on it and it has no leaks. I just was at the mechanic for some routine maintenance, and he checked the entire engine for leaks and there were NONE. Saying all N*'s have leaks is entirely a generalization. Finally, the N* engine was and still is one of the best engines ever built in the world. This engine won all kinds of awards and accolades. Once you drive a N* Cadillac, you'll understand why the owners pay to keep these cars on the road. my 2cents

zonie77 · #9 (**permalink**) 05-23-06, 12:19 PM

Mr2u,

Drive it pretty far. Higher speeds or uphill if possible.

Headgaskets/overheating would be a bigger issue than any seepage.

Tombo47 · #10 (**permalink**) 05-23-06, 04:00 PM

a northstar will generally take a quart every 1500-3000 miles, it alos is a low tension motor that doesnt require so much oil due to its smooth operation, yet it hold 7.5 quarts. It is designed with the expectancy of quicker oil breakdown due to performance and a quart in 1200 miles should be of little concern, and thtas about the msot it will leak....

Dont go by this forum alone, mso tpeople copme here to bitch...just like how you dont see any good news in the paper.

If you put 2 and 2 together, it equals 4..and thats what the northstar is...4 You.

Mr2U · #11 (**permalink**) 05-23-06, 10:12 PM

Well... Took all your words and advice... Drove the 97 Seville STS 146 mile... no temp issue, WHOA!! what an awesome ride...

97ETCPowerHouse I already see what you mean...

Thanks to all who replied!!!

-C

caddydaddy · #12 (**permalink**) 05-23-06, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr2U

Well... Took all your words and advice... Drove the 97 Seville STS 146 mile... no temp issue, WHOA!! what an awesome ride...

97ETCPowerHouse I already see what you mean...

Thanks to all who replied!!!

-C

Wow, that's a long test drive! So are you going to buy the car? What colors and options does it have?

Mr2U · #13 (**permalink**) 05-23-06, 11:27 PM

Done... Purchased... Will post pics asap...

WOOT!

CadillacSTS2003 · #14 (**permalink**) 05-24-06, 12:06 AM

nice man
mucho congrats youll love her got a name picked out yet?

My ETC is named Elaine haha

JimHare · #15 (**permalink**) 05-24-06, 12:06 AM

Congratulations - now let's hope that you got a good ride. The odds are you did. Check the archives here about WOT and all the good stuff, and try to learn as much as you can. My mechanical time is pretty much limited to changing the oil/filter when the OLM says to, and tightening the valve caps every 50K miles, (I've also buffed the antenna, with help from the FSM.. lol) but many guys on here do all or almost all of their own work. Several have even pulled the engine to do a head gasket or other major mechanicals.