Northstar head gasket parts.

96Caddy · #1 (**permalink**) 03-24-04, 03:01 PM

Does anyone know what exactly I would need to buy and how much everything would cost. I found a mechanic who is going to fix my car. It's a 1996 Cadillac Sedan Deville with a leak in the head gasket, but there isn't any water in the oil. Well anyways I want some advice on what I should replace since he's taking the engine out. I also never got the 90k mile service. Anyone have any ideas??

dloch · #2 (**permalink**) 03-24-04, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96Caddy

Does anyone know what exactly I would need to buy and how much everything would cost. I found a mechanic who is going to fix my car. It's a 1996 Cadillac Sedan Deville with a leak in the head gasket, but there isn't any water in the oil. Well anyways I want some advice on what I should replace since he's taking the engine out. I also never got the 90k mile service. Anyone have any ideas??

Has he ever done a NorthStar? If he has then he may already have the Timesert Kit. If he hasn't you are going to need it. I do have a list of things you may or may not need depending on how far you are going to get into this project.

BeelzeBob · #3 (**permalink**) 03-24-04, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96Caddy

Does anyone know what exactly I would need to buy and how much everything would cost. I found a mechanic who is going to fix my car. It's a 1996 Cadillac Sedan Deville with a leak in the head gasket, but there isn't any water in the oil. Well anyways I want some advice on what I should replace since he's taking the engine out. I also never got the 90k mile service. Anyone have any ideas??

You'll need the factory head gaskets with new head bolts and, most likely, the timesert kit to timesert the head bolt holes in the block.

Lots of info on this in the archives....search using the site search feature using "head gasket" , "timesert" , etc...

96caddie · #4 (**permalink**) 03-24-04, 04:41 PM

i had the same problem with my seville, no water in the oil, and overheating, losing coolant somewhere and not seeing a leak? make sure the blocks not cracked cause mine was.:disappoin

my_bro · #5 (**permalink**) 03-24-04, 07:25 PM

All the gaskets were under $300. from Cadi dealer. The timesert kit and 10 extra timeserts was also under $300. Be sure to pick up any squeaky pulleys while you're at it.

BeelzeBob · #6 (**permalink**) 03-25-04, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96caddie

i had the same problem with my seville, no water in the oil, and overheating, losing coolant somewhere and not seeing a leak? make sure the blocks not cracked cause mine was.:disappoin

Where was the block cracked???

96Caddy · #7 (**permalink**) 03-27-04, 12:53 PM

Anyone know a way to pull the engine out to fix the gaskets? My mechanic just called and said he can't do it without a lift, because he needs to drop the engine out through the bottom. Anyone have any ideas???? Are there portable lifts/anything that will work??

Any info. or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

zonie77 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-27-04, 01:20 PM

http://cadillacforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5052

growe3 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-27-04, 03:11 PM

I pulled mine from the top. See thread below for some of the commentary.

http://cadillacforums.com/forums/sho...1237#post61237

Attached is a partial parts list for the 93 STS I am doing right now.

BeelzeBob · #10 (**permalink**) 03-27-04, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96Caddy

Anyone know a way to pull the engine out to fix the gaskets? My mechanic just called and said he can't do it without a lift, because he needs to drop the engine out through the bottom. Anyone have any ideas???? Are there portable lifts/anything that will work??

Any info. or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

It is admittedly more difficult but the job can be done with the engine in the car....

96Caddy · #11 (**permalink**) 03-29-04, 09:34 PM

I just found a shop in my area that can do it for $2500. Does this sound like a good deal? Every other shop told me at least $4000, this seems to good to be true to me. The guy at the shop sounded like he knew what he was doing.

Does that price sound too good to be true to anyone else??? $1200 labor and the rest is parts.

zonie77 · #12 (**permalink**) 03-29-04, 10:30 PM

It sounds a little too low but if he's not busy he will still make some money on it. He's better to be busy making 70% of his usual rate than playing solitare. Someone with access to the flat rate times could tell us what the estimated time is.

Is he including timeserting?? Timeserting is another 5-7 hours.

dloch · #13 (**permalink**) 03-29-04, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zonie77

It sounds a little too low but if he's not busy he will still make some money on it. He's better to be busy making 70% of his usual rate than playing solitare. Someone with access to the flat rate times could tell us what the estimated time is.

Is he including timeserting?? Timeserting is another 5-7 hours.

I timeserted mine in 4-1/2 - 5 hours, I believe Lawrence said it took him about that long as well. Now that doesn't include the hour to duct tape everything either.... that being the case you are right in there...

zonie77 · #14 (**permalink**) 03-30-04, 12:35 AM

You need to include all the time...that means the taping and the putting tools away...and the paperwork!

growe3 · #15 (**permalink**) 03-30-04, 09:22 AM

The $1,200 in labor seems fair, but what are you getting in parts that costs $1,300? The parts shouldn't be over about $500 give or take.

Make sure all twenty head bolts are Timeserted!!
-George

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96Caddy

I just found a shop in my area that can do it for $2500. Does this sound like a good deal? Every other shop told me at least $4000, this seems to good to be true to me. The guy at the shop sounded like he knew what he was doing.

Does that price sound too good to be true to anyone else??? $1200 labor and the rest is parts.