[rfishing]

This is repost as I am still confused. 94 Seville STS looses about 1-2 pints of coolant each time going up mountains only. Drove car around town for a few days, and no loss of coolant (level was 1.5 inches from top, highest temp 202). Soon as I take car up mountain pass, temp climbed up to 219, next morning checked level and it not visible in overflow. I am afraid that I may be adding too much coolant to radiator overflow tank and it is being blown out hose?

So far I have been told 2 different levels for this tank:

1. about 1.5 inches from the top.
2. about 3 inches from the bottom.

What is it supposed to be top or bottom? Hot or Cold? Why? If from Bottom how can I check that level? Keep in mind, its a metal tank with metal plate inside blocking the view of interior of tank about 2 inches down. When I fill this tank if coolant in radiator is low, will it automatically fill the radiator too?

Very concerned because head gaskets, radiator, water pump, cap, thermostat were all replaced about 10 months ago.

Thanks in advance,

 

[Ranger]

The "full" level is 1.5" - 2" from the top (cold, that leave 1.5 - 2" for expansion when it heats up ). The tank is supposed to be the highest point in the system so it should fill the radiator from that point as well.

Are your fans working? Is the cap holding 15 psi? Is the purge line clear?

 

[rfishing]

I think its time for a pro to look at my car. Temp went up to 255 going up mountain yesterday. Seems just like when the head gasket blew 10 months ago. From what I am reading online, these engines should have been recalled.

 

[mcowden]

I think its time for a pro to look at my car. Temp went up to 255 going up mountain yesterday. Seems just like when the head gasket blew 10 months ago. From what I am reading online, these engines should have been recalled.

More accurately I think is that you're becoming a hypochondriac from what you're reading online. Have a pro look at the car and let us know what she or he says about it. Maybe the radiator is getting clogged or there is some other restriction in the system or the pump belt is slipping due to a stuck tensioner or ... The list goes on. There are lots of possibilities. Before you go getting frustrated and torqued about it, get it checked out.

 

[Ranger]

I think its time for a pro to look at my car. Temp went up to 255 going up mountain yesterday. Seems just like when the head gasket blew 10 months ago.

Was it Timeserted when it was repaired 10 months ago?

 

[Krashed989]

...From what I am reading online, these engines should have been recalled.

The posts you're reading is from those who have problems. Usually people aren't compelled to post about how good their car is running, and I'm sure there is plenty of these cars out there with no problems at all. These engines are not more problematic than any other car you compare it to, although it may seem that way sometimes. They are more expensive to fix but not more problematic. Remember that people don't go looking for automotive forums very often unless they have a problem that they want resolved.

 

[rfishing]

Yes Dealer did the repairs, and it was timeserted. Replaced everything; radiator, water pump, thermostat, overflow tank, cap, etc., etc..

Sure, I will let everyone know what they find wrong. Information is valuable, even if its too much.

Hypochondriac? Well, I hope that you are right and it is a simple fix.

Thank you

 

[91TexasSeville]

The posts you're reading is from those who have problems. Usually people aren't compelled to post about how good their car is running, and I'm sure there is plenty of these cars out there with no problems at all. These engines are not more problematic than any other car you compare it to, although it may seem that way sometimes. They are more expensive to fix but not more problematic. Remember that people don't go looking for automotive forums very often unless they have a problem that they want resolved.

I must agree with Krashed989.
There are plenty of broken NorthStar engines but those are only a fraction of the millions built and running just fine. The key to long engine/transmission life is routine maintenance. If that takes a back seat, so will you... in a bus or taxi.

I strongly suggest to all forum queries concerning what to look for in a used Cadillac is the maintenance records.

 

[rfishing]

I guess my gut feeling was right. Dealer says it has exhaust gas in the coolant. Could be blown head gasket again, cracked head, or cracked block. Car is outside of 12k warranty because of 16k miles and 10 months since head gaskets were replaced.

Options given are:

1. replace head gaskets again.
2. replace engine
3. buy another car.
4. did i miss something?

If I have them work on engine and heads are bad, then does that mean a new engine anyway?

Anyone know if new engine comes with new heads? How much should I be paying for 1994 STS Engine? Is it brand new engine or rebuilt, whats included on engine?

 

[zonie77]

There have only been a few people with cracked heads. Cracked blocks have seemed a little more common. After disassembly you can tell what to do.

I don't know if there are any "new" engines out there for the 94. There have been changes to the engine along the way.

Heads are available, rebuilt engines are available. There was a recent thread about rebuilt engines. Look for it.

I mentioned this in another thread. A few weeks ago I walked in on a discussion at work...head gasket problems. Caddy was NEVER mentioned til I added it! There were plenty of other brands mentioned, some foreign.

 

[rfishing]

Anyone ever tried Bars Leak for cooling system leaks?

http://www.barsproducts.com/product.cfm?id=41

Also I found this product for blown head gaskets called "Steal Seal" has anyone used this product?

http://www.steelseal.com/eng/home.html

NOTE: Dealer told me new engine is not available.

 

[Ranger]

There is only one way to repair a bad head gasket. Hope in a bottle is temporary at best.

 

[EcSTSatic]

Any way you can claim neligence on the shop's part? Could they have failed to notice a crack? Inferior parts? Maybe not if it ran well during the warranty period.

That just sucks.

 

[davesdeville]

Were all 20 threads timeserted? Dealers tend to just do the threads that pull, leaving the rest of them prone to pulling and losing the HG again.

 

[rfishing]

Timeserts were supposedly completed, I was not there to witness. I am seriously thinking about using some Bars Leak "Head Gasket Repair". Any reason why I should not use this?

Also, dealer mentioned about doing the timeserts again. That, if they take engine apart and se that the timesert came loose, then I would need a new Block. That they cannot do the timesert again. Can someone confirm that for me?

This is really nice car especially compared to new STS we looked at, wife is in tears, she loves her 94 STS, thinks new ones are inferior products. Just dam shame about these head gaskets after only 10 months / 16k miles.

Are new STS Norstar engines having same problems?

 

[NYCadillac]

From what i've gathered around here, you CAN re-do the job if a timesert came loose by using a last resort "Big Sert".

 

[91TexasSeville]

Timeserts were supposedly completed, I was not there to witness. I am seriously thinking about using some Bars Leak "Head Gasket Repair". Any reason why I should not use this?

Also, dealer mentioned about doing the timeserts again. That, if they take engine apart and se that the timesert came loose, then I would need a new Block. That they cannot do the timesert again. Can someone confirm that for me?

This is really nice car especially compared to new STS we looked at, wife is in tears, she loves her 94 STS, thinks new ones are inferior products. Just dam shame about these head gaskets after only 10 months / 16k miles.

Are new STS Norstar engines having same problems?

Bars Leak at this point is a band-aid at best. Exhaust gas in the coolant suggests a cracked or blown gasket. No amount of sealer can bridge that kind of gap and maintain pressure.

The dealer repair did not last, plain and simple. You do have leverage with them if you realize it or not, even if they claim the job had no warranty at all. There are plenty of hungry attorneys that would be willing to take them on, but that does not help you in the short term.

In the short term you need to get the job done right, not necessarily at the same garage.

 

[rfishing]

Thanks for all the responses. After reading through a lot of history and everyones advice, I decided to forget about the Bars Leak Head Gasket fix, and the Steal Seal. Back to either fixing this thing again, or buying a new car.

Does anyone know if the New STS Northstar has problems with headgaskets? If not, I may buy a 2006 STS. Dealer told me they have no problems with them since 2003. I would much rather save a ton of money, and buy a new engine for my 94 Seville STS but dealer cant find one, and they wont use any other engines.

 

[zonie77]

You do not have to use the dealer. Is there an independent garage with a good reputation in your area?

You can buy remanufactured engines with a 3yr warranty. A recent thread gave a bunch of info. You could have this one pulled apart to see what's wrong before buying another.

Rebuilt engine is about 6K (or less) installed. A lot cheaper than a new car.

 

[ellives]

Personally I'd find another dealer. Clearly they did not do their job - warranty or not. Who is the dealer? Inquiring minds would like to know - so we can avoid them. I suppose the real answer is to avoid ALL dealers...