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Newly Acquired 1985 Cadillac Seville: Mileage, Maintenance, and Seeking Insights
Hello fellow Cadillac enthusiasts,
I recently took ownership of a 1985 Cadillac Seville, which I acquired for $800 in South Lake Tahoe. The car was operational when I got it, and after some tuning back in Reno, it's been running smoothly.
Odometer Mystery: The car's odometer read 13,100 miles at the time of purchase. The previous owner, an elderly gentleman, interpreted this as 131,000 miles, which was recorded on the title. Now, as the odometer nears 15,000, I'm questioning its actual mileage. I've learned that older models might reset their odometer after 100,000 miles. The gentleman had the car for 25 years and wasn't particularly car-savvy, making me wonder about the true mileage. Especially considering its HT 4100 engine, known to last between 100-150k miles.
Maintenance and Concerns:
Service Records: The car lacks service records. With winter approaching, I want to ensure it's prepared. I've heard about the HT 4100 engine's sensitivity to cold starts and am contemplating using 0w or 5w-30 synthetic oil. Any recommendations?
Oil Leak: There's a noticeable oil leak. The undercarriage's oil coating makes it challenging to pinpoint the source, but the engine's oil levels remain fairly consistent.
Electrical Issues: The previous owner mentioned several issues, but replacing old fuses resolved about 75% of them. Most features, including the AC, power windows, stereo, and most speakers, work fine, except the front passenger speaker.
Engine Concerns: The "check engine soon" light is on. A smog test indicated high hydrocarbons at idle. An attempt to locate a potential leak using engine ignitor spray was unsuccessful. Diagnostic codes revealed are 27, 38, & 52. From my findings:
Code 27: Throttle switch circuit issue.
Code 38: Brake switch input circuit problem.
Code 52: PCM memory reset concern.
For context, my last car was a 2016 ATS. This Seville is my introduction to vintage vehicles, and I'm on a steep learning curve.
I'd greatly appreciate any advice or insights from this community. Thanks in advance!