What is the average engine life on a N* engine? This question is in general as I am still openly searching and haven't found any specific cadillac of interest. I'm not sure if this question has already been answered on this forum, but I have searched both here and on search engines, and haven't found an answer. Any feedback, if only opinions, would be appreciated.


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I can't tell you what the average is, but the very first N*'s (1993 allante) are still drivin around, many of them with well over 100k.With, PROPER MAINTENENCE,these motors should reach 200k easy, IMHO.

 

we simply dont really know.
for the most part, the engines are outlasting the cars themselves.

a few fail prematurely, usually of no fault to the engine itself..
all the Cadillac and GM aluminum engines, including the N* are
a tiny bit sensitive to a combination of loss of coolant, overheat,
and depletion of oxidation protection from the coolant, and failed
headgaskets due to a combination of that.
other than that, they seem to go and go until the wheels fall off the car.

that includes all 4100, 4500, 4600 (early V8 N*) and the modern
NorthStars V6's & V8's.

IMO, any used N* engine car should be tested and certified for
headgaskets integrity, specially if you are paying $5,000 +++
check our FAQ section for the various tests ...

 

I've seen 3800 V6's in salvage yard in cars with several hundreds on them, the most I've seenwas anOlds 98 with 409,000 km.. That's over 250,000 miles. I tend to agree with G.A.R.Y.

 

I'm getting close to the 312,000 mile mark. I know Chevy gives badges and such for vehicles with over 200,000 or so.. I wonder if Caddy does that also?

 

You should contact someone at Cadillac Conrad, you could be the Northstar Poster Boy!

 

Ever open the engine?

what is the story on the tranny?

 

In May I did a tune-up and when I was changing the plugs/wires, the wire boots had a rust residue on every one. Is that a hint there was a head gasket problem?(3rd owner) The transmission is original. Had it in for filter/fluid change in June. Everything looked clean. However, I do have the infamous tcc stuck off once in a great while.

 

As far as I know aluminum does not rust. Rust is ferrous oxide and you would need some fe = iron content present to produce rust.

 

iron needs water and oxigen to rust, aluminum only needs oxygen to "oxidize"
there is a reason all alum wheels are coated ...