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Ask Your Question2002 Cadillac DeVille
Question: Northstar Head Gasket Issue?
Question
I recently let my 1998 Cadillac Deville go back to the dealership because of a blown head gasket. (98 had the highest amount of head gasket failures than any other Northstar) I did an extensive amount of research and discovered 96-99 Northstar engines have a high rate of head gasket failure. It seems that Cadillac’s are not what they use to be because of this Northstar engine. My question is: Is there any particular year model Northstar that doesn’t have head gasket problems? I’m thinking about purchasing a 2002 Deville, but I’m terrified because I might have this same problem all over again? Any advice on what I should do??
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Best Answer
Oakman February 10, 2010, 13:08Reply
MasterUnfortunately Northstar engine head gasket failures are not limited to the 96-99 model years. Those years are the worst but form my experience just about all Northstar engines are susceptible to head gaskets failures, most commonly after the engine has been overheated due to some other cooling system failure.
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Answer #2
Visitor, March 24, 2010, 10:46ReplyCadillac fixed this problem going into the new millennium. They put ls1 bolts, which are much longer than the old ones. What would happen is that the smaller bolts would shimmy loose, warp the threads, and there you have your head gasket problem. But as far as buying another one, go with a 95 or lower, or a 2000 and higher.
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Answer #3
Visitor, March 24, 2010, 10:52ReplyCadillac service bulletin 01-06-01-011 deals with oil burning on 1996-'99 Northstar V8s. The cure, says Cadillac, is to do a ring cleaning procedure (seems those long oil change intervals weren't such a good idea after all). Cadillac recommends using GM cleaning kit (P/N 12378545) and Kent-Moore J-45076 induction/evacuation tool to do the job. The cleaner is added into the cylinders through the spark plug holes and allowed to soak the rings for two hours. The cleaner and dissolved crud is then vacuumed out of the cylinders through the spark plug holes, followed by an oil change. Cleaning the throttle body and EGR valve is also recommended.
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Answer #4
Visitor, August 08, 2010, 10:46I have never heard of this problem being fixed. I have read that Cadillac is planning to discontinue this engine. I have also read that the thread pitch was changed in 2004.
I had a 93 STS go out from under me like this at 100K. I know what you are feeling, I loved this car and loved driving it, but am afraid to trust a Northstar Cadillac again.Flag ThisLike | 1 person likes this1 -
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Visitor, April 19, 2012, 18:52Reply
RookieThey changed the pitch in 2000. They also changed the thread pitch in 2000. Between both things, the head gaskets from 2000 model years and on are at least average, but still may have issues occasionally at higher mileages.
In 2004, they started using some longer bolts, I believe from the LS6. These engines are as bulletproof as any other on the market.
The '97-'99s used an unfavorable thread pitch, and shipped from the factory with Dexcool, which is corrosive by nature. Since Cadillac recommended Dexcool, most people didn't know to change it out. Between its corrosive nature, and especially when it starts going bad, it corrodes the wire-threaded bolts out pretty fast.
A private shop can do this job properly for $2000 or less, just make sure you find someone who knows how to do it. I've seen some dealers charge $6000+ for the same thing.
Make sure you change radiator fluid every 50k on your Northstar, and more if you don't drive 15k/year.
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Answer #5
Visitor, August 22, 2010, 20:59cadillac should be ashame of themselves for making a messed up engine like that.northstar engines are no good.dont buy another one.dont buy anything with aluminum heads.they cost to much to repair.cadillacs havent been cadillacs for along time.
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Visitor, April 22, 2011, 05:31I own a 2002 Cadillac Deville and I am going through head gasket challenges right now on my 32 valve motor with 151k miles on it
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Visitor, April 30, 2011, 21:55Replyi own a 2000 cadillac seville with the northstar v8 and it started by eating up a quart of oil every 800 miles and 6 months later the head gasket blew at 97k miles. i now have it parked on my driveway. ive looked in to repairing it but price quotes are $2000 minimum and theres a 50/50 chance it will run again with no problems. big gamble on a car thats worth $4500 in good condition.
this is the reason gm discountinued the northstar v8. i loved my sls and now i wonder if i ever by another cadillac.Flag This -
Answer #6
Visitor, June 01, 2011, 10:54ReplyI purchased a bottle of Bars Leak Head Gasket and cooling sealant from Autozone for $59. Everybody told me I was a fool but it seems to have solved my problem - at least temperarily. I was going through a gallon of water per day and now I'm in the middle of week 4 and have added only about a cup of coolant (top off) in that whole time.
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Answer #7
Visitor, August 13, 2011, 19:49ReplyI'm having the same problem with my 2002 seville STS (112,000 miles).....Dealership wants $4,000 to repair....
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