Does anyone know about head gasket problems on the Northstar engine, the car is a 2000 DTS with only 50k miles and I have been told that losing coolant could be a head gasket problem as these engines are known to have this problem.
Any advice/help.

Thanks


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never heard of it.


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Make sure you find the coolant and put it back in the Northstar, then it wont be lost. Then the head gaskets wont be a problem and they will be happy. I think some where on this forum is a search area and they can tell you more on how to keep the coolant from going AWAL.

Good Luck!

 

Coolant loss can also be attributed to a cracked radiator, split radiator hose, leaking water pump. We need more information to assess your problem. 50,000 on the engine seems low but if coolant is nine years old it is not impossible to be a head gasket issue.

 

Yes I am back, thanks for the advice, and sorry about the loss!!
Here is what I know:
Car overheated once, temp went up to near RED, stopped and let engine cool, added water.
Drove some 80 miles no other problem that day.
The coolant level is going down, no sign of leak under the car or inside.
Last Saturday I checked coolant level, it was OK, drove 30 miles, temp went up pass the normal working temp, and stayed there.
Stopped the car and after allowing to cool added 6 pints of water.
Drove back the same distance and checked the coolant level next day, it needed 1/4 pint.

Today lifted the front, started the car and checked under for coolant leak, nothing.
Ran the engine at 2500rev and temp gauge moved a little from normal, noted the coolant from the overflow pipe, only a little, then temp gague back to normal.

So does anyone knows what maybe happening here.

Any help would be appreciated,as we have no Cadillac service places herein England.

thanks

 

before we jump to the dreaded headgaskets, look for STAINS, signs of leakage. An engine may run just fine in the driveway and when put under load on the highway, leak through a hose or pin hole.

What I would do is make sure the system is full, but NOT overfilled, give it a 2 to 5 mile high speed drive, immediately pull over on a parking area and see if coolant drips anywhere.

if coolant level keeps going down, the coolant can only go four places .. simple leakage onto the tar mat or carpet, or through the gasket to crankcase or the exhaust system.


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Thanks for the advice, stomper.
I tried what you suggested today, drove 6 miles at speed of 60, then checked for coolant.
No sign of coolant inside the car
No leaks in under the hood
No leaks under the car

So I suppose this could be the ennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd.

I will try to do the compression test, don't know how, but will read the service manual.
A friend has the tester.

Any advice on the how to do the test.
The first time it overheated I took the car to a service center and they did the exhaust gas in coolant test, they told me that there were gas in coolant, I did not believe them.

But may be they were right.

 

sorry .. I have never seen that test give fake results.

I think is time to look for a salvage engine

what is the coolant system service record on the car?
I bet it was running on original coolant right up to the moment the gasket developed a problem.



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I have only had the car for nearly a year, and as far as I know it was bought new in US and came to England in 2000.

There is no Cadillac specialist dealer here and looking at the coolant I am sure it is the original factory, but if GM say that coolant is good for 150,000 miles then no-one is going to change, unless they know or told to change.

I love Cadillacs and have always had Cadillac when I can and this one was to replace a 2001 STS which was in an accident and I love this one.

I don't think it will be possible to find another engine here easy and then find someone to replace it so I think the car has to go.

Thanks for your help and I was hoping that there was an easy/cheap way I could save this Cadillac.

Anyone wants parts ..................

 

maybe you have seen our FAQ thread on headgaskets .. although by the book the car would get no coolant changes, we know better .. 5 years tops on a new car and two years thereafter.

I wish every Aluminum engine car owner, Cadillac and otherwise, would see this and consider the recommendation. This is not just a Cadillac problem, it is a worldwide problem that every manufacturer of aluminum engines keeps sweeping under the carpet for various reasons.

I didnt know you were across the pond .. you may also want to consider either replacing the gasket or .. the highly controversial $100 resin fix.