[kim]

Hi I have a 1996 devil northstar got ready to go on 8000 mile trip car was running then I saw a streem of water running onthe ground on right side of car could not see where iot was coming from then it stoped left on trip never leaked for the nex 1400 miles one morning started to drive about 6 blocks stoped to go to post office when i came back i saw the streem of green ant running out again i looked while it was coming out and still could not see where it was coming from added one quart of antfreez then drove at 1600 miles the trany went out had rebuilt 2000 aty dealer all went fine for the rest of the 8000 mile trip in mountains and desert in death vally never used any more coolant car never ran over 220 even in the 102 heat normaly ray at 205 most of the trip parked the car and did not run for about 5weeks when i went to start the car it shooh all over it smothed out in a couple of minutes then it said check coolant took a gallon drove about 25miles and was low on coolant again is this the headgaskets if so why would it not have lost more coolant on a 8000 mile trip thanks kim

 

[kingphil69]

try bars leaks, or the heavy duty radiaror stop leak from bars leaks. that many miles, the stop leak from factory probably wore off, or if you had antifreeze changed and didnt put the leak stop in...

 

[Ranger]

You need to find out where the leak is coming from. Head gaskets usually don't leak externally unless the "leak" was from the surge tank overflow. Then it might be head gaskets.

Barsleaks is not likely to cure a leak that bad.

 

[zonie77]

Before you jump to headgaskets try replacing the thermostat...and only with a GM part.

Overheating that intermittently sounds much more like a thermostat than head gaskets.

 

[mcowden]

Before you jump to headgaskets try replacing the thermostat...and only with a GM part.

Overheating that intermittently sounds much more like a thermostat than head gaskets.

Agreed. Also the pressure cap can be replaced for only a few bucks. A 15 lb. cap is spec'd for the car. If the car has green antifreeze in it, it has to be changed every 2 years or 30k miles. If that hasn't been done, get it done immediately.

 

[kim]

Hi the car has never overheated on the whole 8000 mile trip in oct I saw it leak 2 times on the right front side but could not see where it was coming from only added about a quart of coolant the whole trip. The car has not been run for about 90 days when I whent to start it shook and idled real bad for a short time then the cheack coolant came on it took a gallan of coolant drove for about 20 miles and was low on coolant again it is a 50minute drive to a dealer should i have it towed there if it is the dreeded head gaskets how much are they to fix car has 131,000 just had the trany rebuilt thanks kim

 

[Ranger]

Head gaskets are expensive as the drive train must be dropped. Average price seems to be about the $3000 range.

 

[59cadillac]

Hi I have a 1996 devil northstar got ready to go on 8000 mile trip car was running then I saw a streem of water running onthe ground on right side of car could not see where iot was coming from then it stoped left on trip never leaked for the nex 1400 miles one morning started to drive about 6 blocks stoped to go to post office when i came back i saw the streem of green ant running out again i looked while it was coming out and still could not see where it was coming from added one quart of antfreez then drove at 1600 miles the trany went out had rebuilt 2000 aty dealer all went fine for the rest of the 8000 mile trip in mountains and desert in death vally never used any more coolant car never ran over 220 even in the 102 heat normaly ray at 205 most of the trip parked the car and did not run for about 5weeks when i went to start the car it shooh all over it smothed out in a couple of minutes then it said check coolant took a gallon drove about 25miles and was low on coolant again is this the headgaskets if so why would it not have lost more coolant on a 8000 mile trip thanks kim

kim. I have a 97 Deville with the same problem and I learned that I have a blown rt headgasket. It started by leaking a lot of coolant, then it went for a few days were I didnt have to add coolant. I checked all of the coolant lines, radiator, cap, water pump and none of those were the problem. I was leaking coolant from the middle of the right side of the engine, which of course is impossible to see because the way the exhaust manifold sits. A freind let me borrow a "headgasket test kit" which attaches to the coolant reservoir and it tested positive for exhaust fumes. I called my Cdillac dealer and they quoted me $3500 to fix it. "NO WAY JOSE" That is half of what anew engine costs. I'm doing it myself. Another thing, While searching the web for help and suggestions regarding this topic, I came across a web cite (lawyers) were they are investigating the possibility that the DEX_COOL may be respossible for damages to the cooling system. Good luck.

 

[JimD]

....
Another thing, While searching the web for help and suggestions regarding this topic, I came across a web cite (lawyers) were they are investigating the possibility that the DEX_COOL may be respossible for damages to the cooling system. Good luck.

"Investigating the possibility" is legal-speak for "pay us while we look for the deepest pockets".

Put me on the jury if and when this idea ever gets that far, and I can promise you Dex-Cool will not be responsible / liable.

 

[Eldyfig]

Any car that sits for 90 days without being turned over will want to shake when first started. That is a wise desicion to let a vehicle sit that long.

Have you been under the hood to check your water pump for a leak. Get down in it and look for dampness around the bottom of the pump if it isn't leaking at the time your checking it.

I believe you probably need to do a few things to get your vehicle running correctly. You didn't make any mention of it overheating. I am not leaning towards head gasket.