I responded to garryday a few days ago about his '97 ETC with the blown head gaskets. Mine is a one-owner vehicle which has been perfectly maintained. However, at 71,000 miles it heated up. I got all the messages and immediately turned off my A/C and stopped the car to allow it to cool down. It did cool down to normal after about 20 minutes or so, and I drove it with no A/C without it overheating again. I added coolant the next day and drove the car with the A/C on, and it immediately overheated. (I had just had the car into the dealer to repair the A/C -- $970.00) I turned off the A/C, allowed the car to cool down and drove back to the dealer. They kept it overnight, saying they couldn't get it to overheat, which I find very difficult to believe. However, the next day, they called me to inform me that my repair bill would be $12,000.00!!!!! I needed a new engine, after only 71,000 miles!!!!!!! I have been in contact with Cadillac, because I feel they should repair this vehicle at their expense. Basically, what I've been told by the dealer is that I can sell my car for scrap. After paying a total of nearly $53,000 for this vehicle (3 yrs of lease payments and purchase price at the end of the lease), I feel a Cadillac should go more than 71,000 miles. We''ll see what Cadillac says, but I can tell you I'm very disappointed. I purchased the car after the lease was up because I figured it would go forever....boy, did they dupe me!!!! They even had the nerve to suggest I just scrap this car and buy a new Cadillac!!!!! No thanks. I bought a new Hyundai Santa Fe (which has nearly all the options my ETC had (for $27,000). I love my new car, along with its 10-year, 100.000-mile warranty. I dearly loved my Caddy, but needless to say, I'm P.O'd by the poor performance. I remember when I bought my first Northstar ('94 ETC), Cadillac made claims on TV and such, that this engine could withstand overheating. BALONEY!!!!!! I want people to be aware that they should not buy a '97 Northstar unless they're just buying it for the parts. I've heard of another '97 ETC with exactly the same problem at 70,000 miles. (Cadillac paid for the repair) But, beware of this vehicle. It's not going to go very far. Please let me know if anyone else has experienced this problem.
My 1997 ETC
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You took the words right out of my mouth.fristim said:
That engine had been around for 4 years by then. Hardly a first year design issue. ALL years of Northstar production have had over-heating issues. And regardless of Cadillac's claims to the contrary, the Northstar, like all its aluminum predecessors have been VERY prone to premature failure due to over-heating.
Having a 97 Northstar, what is the best way too avoid overheating?, making sure the coolant is maintained properly and the cooling fan is working correctly? My cooling fan stopped working about a year ago and my car overheated. My engine is still perfect though. I had it fixed and it's been fine ever since.Katshot said:
ha... :devil:elwesso said:
It's not my fault GM can't design a decent luxury car that has decent electrical connections! Got damn cooling fan wasn't working, it got hot on a 90 degree day while it was parked and as soon as I saw the temp gage go up i turned it off. It went back down when I put her in drive and took it to the dealer.Katshot said:You THINK the engine's still PERFECT! You REALLY took a lot of miles off its life.
Maintain the coolant, radiator, and fans. Then keep your fingers crossed.
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