[gspencer914]

The 32-valve Front and Rear Wheel Drive Northstar V8's reputation for reliability and durability is exemplified by its scheduled tune-up interval of 100,000 miles.* Dual platinum-tipped spark plugs go a long way to make this possible. What's more, Cadillac's DEX-COOL** coolant contains special corrosion inhibitors, and is not scheduled to be changed for 5 years or 150,000 miles.* And, if there is ever complete coolant loss, Northstar engines are designed to allow limited travel to a service facility without damage. In addition, the Dexron III transmission fluid in Cadillacs is not scheduled to be changed for the life of your vehicle.*

This is a direct quote off the GM northstar website. The thing that puzzles me a little is the last line in this statement. In addition, the Dexron III transmission fluid in Cadillacs is not scheduled to be changed for the life of your vehicle.* The * is of course the kicker I assume, it says * Maintenance needs vary with use and driving conditions. Is this just a corp slogan to get people to belive that you never have to change your tranny fluid?? If anyone knows anything about this then please let it be known.

George

 

[Brett]

My transmission must have read that, because after 34k miles, the DIC still says 99% trans fluid life left.

 

[Chuck C]

now are these on the newer northstars or all northstars (1993- ) ?>

 

[Night Wolf]

"nd, if there is ever complete coolant loss, Northstar engines are designed to allow limited travel to a service facility without damage."

I still havn't found how how it is ABLE to do that. Can anyone help me?

 

[Brett]

Theoretically, it does it by only firing 4 of 8 cylinders, and the other 4 then pump air to cool the engine. The four that fire alternate.

 

[elwesso]

Personally, I dont believe all the stuff they say.... Flush your radiator every year, change tranny fluid every other year, oil every 90 days, plugs every 100k (you will be glad with better gas mileage).......

 

[Night Wolf]

Brett.... Is that how it works? wow, that is really advanced, I would never even think about that.

Wes.... I heard if you have the 4.9, that is is a smart thing to change the radiator fluid every year. But change the oil every 90days? isn't that too often? hmmm

 

[Brett]

Heres a link that gives a short explanation on the "limp-home" mode


http://www.schooleycadillac.com/north1.htm


As for me, I would pull over, and get the car towed..... On second thought, my car is leased so I might try it out to see what happens

 

[Elvis]

A lot of cars have that "limp" mode now. Mom had a '96 Mercedes E320 that did it to her. She got really pissed because it felt like it wouldn't come out of 2nd gear. AND THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENED! Turned out to be a computer failure or something.

 

[AKPsiMC03]

limp home mode is nothing... my mom's Focus does it :banana:

 

[Brett]

Yeah, thats one of the problems with the current Northstar imo. This stuff was pretty cool in '93 when it came out, but here we are 10 years later and EVERYBODY has caught up or surpassed the tech in the northstar

 

[Katshot]

Sad but true. But that's GM for ya

 

[elwesso]

Wes.... I heard if you have the 4.9, that is is a smart thing to change the radiator fluid every year. But change the oil every 90days? isn't that too often? hmmm

Depends on how long you want to keep it..... IMO, pretty cheap maintenance..... I change mine every 120 days, since i dont put a lot of the miles on the car, which so happens to be about 3k miles..... Forget using that oil life monitor, I dont believe those things... It may be all fine and dandy, but I wont go more than 4k without a change, and sometimes we do it at almost 2500......

I have heard you can do a complete cooling system flush, and in my Q45 service manual it describes a really good way to do it.... A synopsus as follows-- Drain the radiator, and drain the block drains. Fill the radiator with distilled water, and run the engine for a little. Drain/refill until you get clear water draining, then refill with antifreeze the proper amount....

 

[Ralph]

Those 10 min. rad flush products are pretty hard on hoses and the walls of the Rad, it is an acid after all, and my hoses in other cars never lasted when using it.

 

[AKPsiMC03]

i take mine to the car place to have it flushed. I spent 30 min one time trying to drain the freaking radiator cus they put something in the way of the drain valve.

on a side note: that is the only repair i havent done myself

 

[elwesso]

I wasnt referring to any of those radiator flush things.......

 

[Ralph]

I wasnt referring to any of those radiator flush things.......

You mentioned coolant, so I just gave my personal experience with the "flush things."

 

[elwesso]

ok