Any GM mechanics????..STS Caddilac / blown head gaskets?
 

The dealership just informed me that my wife's caddi a '98 STS caddi with the 300hsp NOrtstar engine, has a blown head gaskets , the dealer wants 4k to fix the motor, with only a standard GM 1yr/12k miles warranty on parts & labor!. NO PIVATE MECH will even touch this problem.....

Can anyone tell me if this is BS? Is it worth having this work done?

By the way this car mysteriously blew these gaskets, only 3wks after I paid 2k to have the cars infamous "100,000 mile platinum tune up", 3wks later blown head gasket?? something just dosent add up, the car ran perfect.........

RE: Any GM mechanics????..STS Caddilac / blown head gaskets?
 

It's probably not B.S. but the price seems a tad high.
Our shop charges $2500 for labor and around 7- 800 for parts.

They may have something additional that makes up the difference or their labor rate may be higher.

RE: Any GM mechanics????..STS Caddilac / blown head gaskets?
 

Thanks for the reply....a fuel pump regulator was part of the price quote totaling $3900 or so....but anyhow, are you a GM mech? if so, my question I guess is, will this fix the engine? and for how long? From what ive heard, the private guys tell me once the HG goes just get rid of the motor/car....and that the gasget will never "take" properly due to it having an aluminum block , and that particular year model is prone to blowing HG's. Just worried to put out more than the cars prob worth to fix it, unless I can get another 100k miles out of her.....Thanks any info would be apreciated.

RE: Any GM mechanics????..STS Caddilac / blown head gaskets?
 

If done properly the engine will be just fine.
It is alot of money and a tough call for people who have 7-10 year old cars.

I am a GM master tech and i do all the engine/transmission work in our shop.

If you really like the car than fix it and enjoy.
Caddy's are always on the cutting edge of whats new in cars so they do come with a higher cost of maintence when they age.
I believe thats why there resale value is so horrible.

FWIW a 98/99 sts is probably the only caddy i would/could own.
I've always liked that ride.

RE: Any GM mechanics????..STS Caddilac / blown head gaskets?
 

So then why do these GM Techs up here tell me this year model is prone to HG leaks? they tell me its something that was corrected on the newer engines? So with this fix your saying I will get another 100k out of her?, Is there anything else I should know b4 doing the job?

RE: Any GM mechanics????..STS Caddilac / blown head gaskets?
 

I would say i have seen more 96 devilles with this problem than 98 seville.
It can happen to any 94 - 2006 northstar but IIRC GM did reduce the torque spec slightly to help the head bolts hold better.
Thats something that has way to many variables to answer.
One thing to note this repair is a one time fix. If the timeserts fail to hold you will need another block.
I have never had this happen but it is a possibilty.

RE: Any GM mechanics????..STS Caddilac / blown head gaskets?
 

I dont like the sound of that when all they give is a 1yr/12k warranty on the job.....

They said that when they split the block they have to re tap/thread the bolts, which will prevent this from happening again, does this ring true to you?

I gave them the ok to do the job this morning, on the condition that I see the motor split on the bench with my own eyes to examine the blown HG, What else exactly should I look for when i inspect their job?

RE: Any GM mechanics????..STS Caddilac / blown head gaskets?
 

its not really the gasket that blows.
What happens is the bolt holes for the head bolts pull the threads out.
This causes hot combustion gasses to enter the cooling system and it runs hot.

Thats why the bolt holes need to be tapped and timeserts installed.
I have never seen one fail after this repair.

RE: Any GM mechanics????..STS Caddilac / blown head gaskets?
 

Thanks Bud.

You said "its not really the gasket that blows.
What happens is the bolt holes for the head bolts pull the threads out.
This causes hot combustion gasses to enter the cooling system and it runs hot. "

but they told me its misfireing? and we never noticed the car run hot? nor did it ever overheat? confusing......

RE: Any GM mechanics????..STS Caddilac / blown head gaskets?
 

matt: when you start the engine and it gets to engine temperature are you blowing out white smoke? also if you drain the oil from your engine do you see antifreeze in your oil? if you drain your radiator do you see oil mixed with your anti freeze. with my 97'sts i checked all of these things and they were all unfounded. then what i did was a reverse flush of the engine block and the radiator and that did the trick!