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Hi guys,

I've been putting this problem off for a while and need some immediate help :)

I have a 95 Cadillac Eldorado with the Northstar engine. About a year ago I started noticing some weird anomalies and decided to take it to the shop. Come to find out that I had a blown head gasket. I'm still not sure that I do though. I don't have smoke and the oil has nothing in it. My car also doesn't leak (after I put stop leak in it). They said that it was a internal not external so I should see the coolant leak into the engine/oil, but I have never experienced that.

At the time I had a job and the 2k to repair the problem, but no one would fix the head gasket? So I just let it slip. My car still ran and I would just need to put stop leak in once in a while to prevent some dripping.

However in the last 2 or 3 weeks my cars been acting up to where I can drive from home to work and by the time I get there my car will overheat. The temp gets to 250-260. I believe the fluids not getting cycled as my hoses are full of coolant if you try to press them while the car is on. I've also noticed my top hose is starting to bulge and about to break within the last week. Its like the fluid is just sitting in the line and not cycling. I can even take the cap off of the reservoir when the temp is around 230-240 and the fluid in it will be cool.

Do you think its the water pump? If so is that something easily replaced? I need to figure this out and probably do it myself since I'm unemployed( I have work study only).

Thanks for your help. I will check back every few hours and answer any questions you guys have.

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....I've been putting this problem off for a while and need some immediate help.

....Come to find out that I had a blown head gasket....My car also doesn't leak (after I put stop leak in it).

....So I just let it slip. My car still ran and I would just need to put stop leak in once in a while to prevent some dripping.

....I believe the fluids not getting cycled as my hoses are full of coolant if you try to press them while the car is on. I've also noticed my top hose is starting to bulge and about to break within the last week. Its like the fluid is just sitting in the line and not cycling. I can even take the cap off of the reservoir when the temp is around 230-240 and the fluid in it will be cool.

Do you think its the water pump?

I don't.

Your lack of circulation can probably be attributed to the "stop leak" you installed.

Jim

Drive your car.

Use your cell phone.

CHOOSE ONE !

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coolant will not leak into the oil in this engine

To confirm the blow head gasket have the coolant tested for combustion by products

If it is bad enough, you will smell exhaust fumes in the coolant tank

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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@bodybyfisher thanks for the info. I don't smell anything except something from the engine when I open it up after it running for 10 mins or so after it overheats. How would you test the coolant for by products?

Edit: What do you think I should do to get the clog out?

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How far is it from hone to work; could it just be the thermostat stuck closed (no coolant circulation to the radiator). Will the engine cool (any) if you switch your heater on (to dump some heat out of the system that way). Could also be a plugged radiator (from all that stop leak).

Chuck

'19 CT6, '04 Bravada........but still lusting for that '69 Z-28

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Check easy things first

1) check the air purge line to make sure air is getting out of the system. On the top of the coolant tank is a hose, not the overflow hose the other one. With the engine cool, gently remove the hose without breaking the nipple off the tank, let it hang down and start the engine is let is idle, go look at the hose, coolant should be flowing from that hose, if not, your purge line is clogged and air can not get out and the water pump will cavitate and not pump

2) check your thermostat, or better yet if it has not been changed, change it and its seal

3) if those things are ok, you can get a coolant tester at NAPA to test and see if combustion by products are in the coolant, which would be indicative of a bad head gasket

good luck

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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Check the items BodybyFisher outlined before throwing parts at it. The checks are inexpensive and easy to do and will quickly identify the problem or rule those components out.

My guess is that the exhaust gasses are getting into the coolant via a blown headgasket and superheating the coolant. Nothing to do with a clog or water pump.

By the way, the water pump is RARELY if NEVER the cause of overheating on the Northstar unless it has been weeping coolant and left to go for so long that the bearing self destructs...

Kevin
'93 Fleetwood Brougham
'05 Deville
'04 Deville
2013 Silverado Z71

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coolant will not leak into the oil in this engine

To confirm the blow head gasket have the coolant tested for combustion by products

If it is bad enough, you will smell exhaust fumes in the coolant tank

In some cases coolant will go into the oil. That is what my 97 did. that was the dead giveaway to the problem. But it is rare to happen. I have only seen 2 out of 7 that had coolant in the oil.

In this case though it sounds like circulation problem. Could be related to a plugged radiator. or surge line. Personally I wouldnt keep driving it because continous driving of it will cause more problems

GM FAN FOREVER

Nice, clean, luxury= fine automobile

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Check easy things first

1) check the air purge line to make sure air is getting out of the system. On the top of the coolant tank is a hose, not the overflow hose the other one. With the engine cool, gently remove the hose without breaking the nipple off the tank, let it hang down and start the engine is let is idle, go look at the hose, coolant should be flowing from that hose, if not, your purge line is clogged and air can not get out and the water pump will cavitate and not pump

2) check your thermostat, or better yet if it has not been changed, change it and its seal

3) if those things are ok, you can get a coolant tester at NAPA to test and see if combustion by products are in the coolant, which would be indicative of a bad head gasket

good luck

I will check this out this evening. However I don't know about the thermostat. Where is it located and how can I check it? I'm also not sure about this other line that goes from the reservoir (where you fill the coolant up). I have one to the ride side of it the overflow, however I don't remember seeing any other lines connected besides one towards the bottom. I will take a look today on my way to work. I will also set my heater on high and see what the readings are. I've done it before and never noticed a difference however I'll try it again and post back later. I'll also try to post a few pictures if I can find my camera.

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To rock, I understand but....you can have a blown head gasket and no coolant will be in the oil. He was looking at coolant in the oil as the END ALL BE ALL evidence and its not. Obviously if coolant gets by the rings, coolant can end up in the crankcase.

The thermostat is at the water pump, follow the lower hose to the where its attached on the water pump cover, remove the hose, remove the two bolts holding the thermostat housing.

Here is a photo of the water pump cover and thermostat housing

WaterPumpenginemount38.jpg

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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If you don't know when it was replaced, its cheap enough to just replace to take it off the POSSIBILITY list

Dont forget to buy the seal, it is sometimes sold separately

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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I wanna update all you guys.

I drove to work with the air on auto and set to 90 degrees and set to hi. This didn't make any difference on the temp of the fluid.

I also checked the air purge line. I let the car idle for 3 or 4 minutes and no fluid came out. However a little dripped out when I initially removed it. I'm guessing this means it's clogged?

Tomorrow I plan to get up earlier and will replace the top radiator hose with a new one. I plan to try and change the thermostat as well. What should I do to get the air purge line working again?

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here are a few pics of the housing and thermostat. Cake to change 2 10mm bolts.

100_2285.jpg

100_2284.jpg

100_2283.jpg

GM FAN FOREVER

Nice, clean, luxury= fine automobile

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Good luck, have my fingers crossed for ya on just a tstat an purge line clog.

Be Safe

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With the engine rulling, there was no flow from the purge line? If that is the case, you found the problem! Trace the line back to where it connects to the thermostat cover area and remove it there. Remove the hollow bolt that acts like a hose nipple and clean it. Blow compressed air through the disconnected section; reconnect everything and go for a test drive.

Kevin
'93 Fleetwood Brougham
'05 Deville
'04 Deville
2013 Silverado Z71

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Maybe I'm wrong about what hose I checked because it runs a short distance from the engine to the coolant reservoir (front right of it).

Edit: I can see what you mean now by looking at pictures online mainly here:

iKRxE.jpg

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nice pic. the bolt with the hole in it is on the side of the torque strut mount on the driver side. And yes the thermostat is on the lower hose below the airbox. Make sure you unplug the IAT before you pull the box. The harness is short.

GM FAN FOREVER

Nice, clean, luxury= fine automobile

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I'm not sure if I'm understanding you correctly so I didn't do it today. However i replaced my hose and have taken a few pictures that I will post later on tonight after I'm off 8pm cst. Hopefully from thoes pictures you can point me to the two areas I need to disconnect.

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In the picture that was posted - the Hollow bolt is identified. Most of the time that is where the clog occurs. If you just replaced the hose at the surge tank, you probably did not remove the clog.

Kevin
'93 Fleetwood Brougham
'05 Deville
'04 Deville
2013 Silverado Z71

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In the picture that was posted - the Hollow bolt is identified. Most of the time that is where the clog occurs. If you just replaced the hose at the surge tank, you probably did not remove the clog.

I didn't replace it I simply took it off to see if coolant was flowing through it ;)

I'm having problems getting my pc to recognize the camera so I'll upload the pics as soon as possible.

As far as the hollow bolt I was trying to get it identified on the side :)

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But the question was did it flow coolant? Whether you check it at the bolt with a hole in it or at the tank, it must flow coolant

Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1  >>

1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm

How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/

Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year  http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm

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