New '98 Deville Owner with coolant questions - Page 2

Destroyer · #16 (**permalink**) 01-12-09, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger

Your reputation precedes you.

The reputation for "keeping it real" right?

olsonscottm · #17 (**permalink**) 01-12-09, 11:17 PM

As far as I know, the car hasn't overheated. I pulled the trouble codes and didn't get a "P0107 - Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) Sensor Circuit Low Voltage" or
"P0108 - Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) Sensor Circuit High Voltage."

Doing 65-70 on the highway, temperature running a consistent 213-217. The water pump may be leaking, and I plan on replacing that.

I might also have the radiator tanked, pressure tested - something. So far I haven't been able to find the location of the leak. It is hard to see in there, as I'm sure you all know.

I bought from a private seller, so I don't know what recourse, if any, I have. If I hadn't found the invoice, then I would be none the wiser, but since I did find the invoice, and get an email where I was told there are no mechanical problems or leaks, I have proof I was flat out lied to and that is what is ticking me off.

If it needs head gaskets, I may just go ahead and do that. I was thinking since I was going to have to pull the engine anyway, why put an engine with 128K back in. But, replacing head gaskets is several hundred dollars (doing the work myself, with some friends) vs. several thousand dollars.

Should be inspected tomorrow, I'll post the results when I get them.

**Ranger** · #18 (**permalink**) 01-12-09, 11:25 PM

Quote:

If it needs head gaskets, I may just go ahead and do that. I was thinking since I was going to have to pull the engine anyway, why put an engine with 128K back in.

The head gasket is the weak link. The lower end will last forever. When you open it up you'll still see the factory hone pattern on the cylinder walls. Bearings, rings & cylinders will not need to be touched.

olsonscottm · #19 (**permalink**) 01-13-09, 12:24 AM

That makes me feel better about just replacing the head gaskets.

I didn't know the bottom end was so durable on these engines.

olsonscottm · #20 (**permalink**) 01-14-09, 02:28 PM

I had a shop test the coolant yesterday, and they confirmed hydrocarbons in the coolant. They used some sort of hydrocarbon sensitive liquid and tested in a tube, similiar to a pH test, the liquid changed color from dark blue to dark green. If it had changed to yellow, that would have indicated lots of hydrocarbons in the coolant.

The good news, if there is any, is that there evidently isn't that much leaking at the present time, so maybe I've got some time to dwell on possibilities.

Thanks all for the replys, and I'm glad I joined this forum.

**Ranger** · #21 (**permalink**) 01-14-09, 04:17 PM

Yeah, you have some time. They generaly start slow and slowly get progressively worse. It will start using coolant and overheating under heavy loads or climbing hills. Then it will start a rough idle at start up and finally start to overheat all the time.

buckeyemerritt · #22 (**permalink**) 01-14-09, 06:55 PM

Ranger now you got me a bit freaked as my deVille tempartature climbs a bit when under load or up hills.

it generally drive stays around 196-203 cruising 65-70.

Merging onto the freeway it migh go as high as 212 rarely usually 208, on hills it might go to 206.

I always thought this was normal

**Ranger** · #23 (**permalink**) 01-14-09, 09:56 PM

Relax, that IS normal. My '97 was a digidash so I could see the temperature and it ran a consistent 206 (summer) to 213 (winter). Reread my post. I said "overheating under heavy loads or climbing hills".

buckeyemerritt · #24 (**permalink**) 01-14-09, 10:22 PM

Ok got a bit nervous there.

I would think it would run cooler in the winter with the cool air.

Is that not the case?

This is the first Digital Dash I have had and I am a bit nervous about overheating these N* engines.

**Ranger** · #25 (**permalink**) 01-14-09, 10:55 PM

That was my thought as well, but when I saw that and questioned our old Guru, he said that it was because during the summer, the thermostat was wide open and during the winter it is only partially opened.

The best thing you can do is set it to MPG and quit watching the coolant temp. It's gonna drive you nuts. 80% of the things you worry about never happen and the other 20% you can't do anything about anyway. Drive it and enjoy it. My neighbor bought my '97 3 years ago at 107K and it is still without problems.

buckeyemerritt · #26 (**permalink**) 01-14-09, 11:29 PM

To get back to the issue at hand.

I would file against the seller in small claims court.

The filing fee should be a little of nothing and really pretty easy you can research the process on line.

The worse case is you loose the case and might be out $50 and a little time.

You never know with the owners knowlege of the problem anything could happen.

I have seen judges do a lot crazier things.

You might want to contact the seller and give him a chance to make this right before filing.

olsonscottm · #27 (**permalink**) 01-15-09, 03:52 AM

Buckeyemerritt,

I did a little preliminary research on small claims court in Alaska. The first thing to do is give the potential defendent the chance to make it right. So I sent him an email stating the facts as I saw them. So far I haven't received a response, but it's only been one day.

Next step will be to send a letter certified mail. Once he receives that, I'll give him a couple more days and then probably file in small claims court.

The filing fee for small claims in Alaska is only $40 bucks, so I think it would be worth it. I just don't want the guy to get away with it.

I'll keep you posted, it you want.

**Ranger** · #28 (**permalink**) 01-15-09, 04:53 PM

Please do and good luck.

Douglass Harroun · #29 (**permalink**) 01-25-09, 11:44 PM

I've got a pair of '97 Deville cylinder heads for sale, rebuilt, 40,000 miles, just posted in parts for sale section. Look like new. Not fitted.
Doug

olsonscottm · #30 (**permalink**) 01-31-09, 03:48 AM

Update...

I haven't filed in small claims court, been too busy with my new job, my second job, and the family.

I have put about 1000 miles on the caddy, and it gets 25 mpg running average, 28-30 on the highway.

I've added just over a gallon of anti-freeze during that time. It runs rough for the first thirty seconds or so, and then just purrs.

Going down the road, it will stay between 203-219 most of the time. Tonight, stuck in traffic on the highway (fresh snowfall, must've scared the wimps) it got to 224 a couple of times, then cooled off to 206. Then, it peaked at 233 once. Kinda scared me 'cause I was moving along about 50 mph, but it cooled down and ran fine the rest of the way home.

I'm hoping I can nurse it until summer and have some more money in the bank.

Sure is nice! One sweet riding car. Heated seats would be nice, though.

Scott,
Palmer, AK