Marika Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 I just went for a long drive with the Caddy and when I got back, I checked under the hood and found loads of bubbles coming up into the recovery tank and the level in the tank was low. Grabbed the UV light and the yellow goggles and went hunting. Opened the cap where you pour the oil in and found minute traces of the tracer dye near the valve springs and dotted around other parts under the valve covers. Oh well. I didn't find any tracer dye on the oil dip stick, though. If you really want to make people safe drivers again then simply remove all the safety features from cars. No more seat belts, ABS brakes, traction control, air bags or stability control. No more anything. You'll see how quickly people will slow down and once again learn to drive like "normal" humans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 Marika, first off, this thread should have gone with your prior thread to complete the thinking and problem. You have done a great job here. Unfortunately, I had a feeling you had a problem like this and mentioned this possibiity in your other thread. What are you thinking of doing at this point. As you know, I have access to a 4.9 with 50K miles on it.. I think you should bring this to the dealer's attention, I think they might have missed your problem or it was solved with the cooling supplement temporarily. What are you planning on doing, Mike I wonder if your intake manifold could be leaking, if I recall, the guru mentioned that the intakes could leak at the corners 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marika Posted October 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 Marika, first off, this thread should have gone with your prior thread to complete the thinking and problem. You have done a great job here. Unfortunately, I had a feeling you had a problem like this and mentioned this possibiity in your other thread. What are you thinking of doing at this point. As you know, I have access to a 4.9 with 50K miles on it.. I think you should bring this to the dealer's attention, I think they might have missed your problem or it was solved with the cooling supplement temporarily. What are you planning on doing, Mike I wonder if your intake manifold could be leaking, if I recall, the guru mentioned that the intakes could leak at the corners I also rechecked the oil dip stick. There's tracer dye on the dip stick as well. I don't know what I'm going to do at this point, I have NO MONEY ANYMORE. The dealership assured me that they tested the engine and it was NOT burning or LEAKING any antifreeze. Looks more likely to me that they lied to me just to pick my pockets for $3,000. If you really want to make people safe drivers again then simply remove all the safety features from cars. No more seat belts, ABS brakes, traction control, air bags or stability control. No more anything. You'll see how quickly people will slow down and once again learn to drive like "normal" humans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marika Posted October 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 What pisses me off over this whole thing is that the Brogan Dealership in Totowa, New Jersey ASSURED ME time and time again that they had tested the engine over and over and it was NOT leaking antifreeze and not burning antifreeze and since they claim to have master mechanics working for them, I of course stupidly believed them. Yet even after I got the car back from them, I knew something was not right when I kept smelling antifreeze, I called them and they ignored me. They got my money, I guess they don't need anything else from me now. Their so-called master mechanics couldn't find a leak in my car that they had in their possession for over two weeks, but a stupid woman with a blue flashlight, yellow goggles and some tracer dye was able to discover that the engine is indeed leaking, and this same stupid woman was able to discover this flaw in about 1 week. I think General Motors should be paying ME for my expertise. Then the head honchos at GM wonder why they are losing customers? If you really want to make people safe drivers again then simply remove all the safety features from cars. No more seat belts, ABS brakes, traction control, air bags or stability control. No more anything. You'll see how quickly people will slow down and once again learn to drive like "normal" humans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Hall Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 Check inside your car below the heater core. Your heater core could be leaking and that might be what you're smelling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marika Posted October 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 The whole thing is completely odd. I found bits of tracer dye in the oil and under the valve covers. Fine. But it doesn't account for all the antifreeze that's being lost? The oil level has not been rising at a rate that would explain approximately 1 gallon of "disappearing" antifreeze. At that rate of loss, my oil should be pretty much watered down good but it's not. It's the normal color and texture it just has a bit of tracer dye in it. It's obviously a very tiny leak somewhere, but it doesn't account for the stream of bubbles I saw coming up in the recovery tank and watching 1/2 gallon of antifreeze disappear before my eyes. If the heater core were leaking into the passenger cabin, I would find tracer dye all over the carpeting. I find none. No smoke or steam is coming from the exhaust, I mean NONE. You also don't smell antifreeze coming from the exhaust. Rebuilding the engine was an option but since the dealership told me the engine was fine, I didn't bother doing it but instead opted to spend my money on fixing the overheating problem to the tune of $3,000. Now I'm penniless so the only option I have is to just keep refilling the antifreeze and change the motor oil more often. That's it. That's all I can do at this point. If you really want to make people safe drivers again then simply remove all the safety features from cars. No more seat belts, ABS brakes, traction control, air bags or stability control. No more anything. You'll see how quickly people will slow down and once again learn to drive like "normal" humans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 No smoke or steam is coming from the exhaust, I mean NONE. You also don't smell antifreeze coming from the exhaust. Marika, A small leak probably won't cause steam from the pipes til it gets worse, but bubbles in the tank is a pretty good sign that the head gaskets are leaking. Get a test kit for hydrocarbons in the coolant. I don't believe that they are very expensive, or have a radiator shop test your coolant for you. I suspect it will show hydrocarbons in the coolant. If you are going to repair that engine, keep a close watch on it as I'm sure you know that coolant in the oil is not good for the bearings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marika Posted October 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 No smoke or steam is coming from the exhaust, I mean NONE. You also don't smell antifreeze coming from the exhaust. Marika, A small leak probably won't cause steam from the pipes til it gets worse, but bubbles in the tank is a pretty good sign that the head gaskets are leaking. Get a test kit for hydrocarbons in the coolant. I don't believe that they are very expensive, or have a radiator shop test your coolant for you. I suspect it will show hydrocarbons in the coolant. If you are going to repair that engine, keep a close watch on it as I'm sure you know that coolant in the oil is not good for the bearings. I'm not repairing anything on this car anymore. I'll drive it until it's dead and then I'll take the bus to work. I've had it with this car. DONE. If you really want to make people safe drivers again then simply remove all the safety features from cars. No more seat belts, ABS brakes, traction control, air bags or stability control. No more anything. You'll see how quickly people will slow down and once again learn to drive like "normal" humans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 Marika, don't you have a Mini Cooper? Mike 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marika Posted October 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 Marika, don't you have a Mini Cooper? Mike I don't know where you got that idea from Mike, but I never owned a Mini Cooper. I WISH I owned a Mini Cooper, I think they are probably the greatest car around, but unfortunately, I don't own one. This 92 Caddy is the only car I own and it's heading for a junk yard I guess so I'll just have to take the bus to work and walk otherwise wherever I have to go. Walking is good for you If you really want to make people safe drivers again then simply remove all the safety features from cars. No more seat belts, ABS brakes, traction control, air bags or stability control. No more anything. You'll see how quickly people will slow down and once again learn to drive like "normal" humans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 I too seem to recall you saying that you had a Mini a long time ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marika Posted October 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 I too seem to recall you saying that you had a Mini a long time ago. Noooooooooo, I never said I had one. I said I want one. It was actually someone else on this forum, I think it was Mike, who somehow thought I had one. I NEVER had one, but I wish I had one. I too seem to recall you saying that you had a Mini a long time ago. Noooooooooo, I never said I had one. I said I want one. It was actually someone else on this forum, I think it was Mike, who somehow thought I had one. I NEVER had one, but I wish I had one. http://caddyinfo.ipbhost.com/index.php?sho...512&hl=mini If you really want to make people safe drivers again then simply remove all the safety features from cars. No more seat belts, ABS brakes, traction control, air bags or stability control. No more anything. You'll see how quickly people will slow down and once again learn to drive like "normal" humans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 I must have misunderstood http://caddyinfo.ipbhost.com/index.php?sho...7&hl=cooper 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marika Posted October 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 I must have misunderstood http://caddyinfo.ipbhost.com/index.php?sho...7&hl=cooper Yes, I made it clear I'm a MINI cooper fan, but I never said I owned one. Sorry for the misunderstanding. Can I go to the corner now and cry my eyes out? If you really want to make people safe drivers again then simply remove all the safety features from cars. No more seat belts, ABS brakes, traction control, air bags or stability control. No more anything. You'll see how quickly people will slow down and once again learn to drive like "normal" humans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adallak Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 Marika, I think after $3.000 have been paid it should be rather stealership's headache than yours. They took the money and actually did nothing, or something unnecessary. I remember that funny part in your bill "$300 for diagnosing cooling system". You have been spending way too much on this car. You have spent more than it was worth before and after "repairs". Used Caddies (as well as most of other makes) are for DIY guys. Get a Nissan. My cousin has one. He bought it new six years ago, and already made 180.000 miles. Only the brake pads and oil have been changed. He never openned the hood on his own. He did not have to. I asked him to open it for me . LOL The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marika Posted October 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 Marika, I think after $3.000 have been paid it should be rather stealership's headache than yours. They took the money and actually did nothing, or something unnecessary. I remember that funny part in your bill "$300 for diagnosing cooling system". You have been spending way too much on this car. You have spent more than it was worth before and after "repairs". Used Caddies (as well as most of other makes) are for DIY guys. Get a Nissan. My cousin has one. He bought it new six years ago, and already made 180.000 miles. Only the brake pads and oil have been changed. He never openned the hood on his own. He did not have to. I asked him to open it for me . LOL At this point, I can't afford a pair of rollerskates, never mind a Nissan. Oh heck, walking is good for you. I'll have to get the bus schedules and get ready to just take the bus to and from work. It won't be that bad. If you really want to make people safe drivers again then simply remove all the safety features from cars. No more seat belts, ABS brakes, traction control, air bags or stability control. No more anything. You'll see how quickly people will slow down and once again learn to drive like "normal" humans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadillac Jim Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 Marika -- from what I understand, the 4.9 rarely has a head gasket problem. On the other hand, intake manifold leaks can happen to any engine, and are not that uncommon in aluminum engines. Intake manifold leaks are inexpensive to fix. Your dealer has some obligation to back their work if they charged you $3K to fix your car. Since the intake manifold leak is inexpensive to fix, they probably will be easy to persuade to do it. The problem is that the dealer where you spent your $3K apparently has no clue. I would call them, and tell them about the tracer dye. If they don't help, I would call GM Customer Relations; have your VIN handy when you dial. -- Click Here for CaddyInfo page on "How To" Read Your OBD Codes-- Click Here for my personal page to download my OBD code list as an Excel file, plus other Cadillac data -- See my CaddyInfo car blogs: 2011 CTS-V, 1997 ETC Yes, I was Jims_97_ETC before I changed cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marika Posted October 7, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 Marika -- from what I understand, the 4.9 rarely has a head gasket problem. On the other hand, intake manifold leaks can happen to any engine, and are not that uncommon in aluminum engines. Intake manifold leaks are inexpensive to fix. Your dealer has some obligation to back their work if they charged you $3K to fix your car. Since the intake manifold leak is inexpensive to fix, they probably will be easy to persuade to do it. The problem is that the dealer where you spent your $3K apparently has no clue. I would call them, and tell them about the tracer dye. If they don't help, I would call GM Customer Relations; have your VIN handy when you dial. I just went to the Cadillac website and under "contact us", I sent them a message giving a general explanation and history of what's wrong with the car. Let's see what Cadillac does, if anything. I did get this reponse from them via Email: Email Confirmation of Receipt - Do not reply to this email Thank you for contacting Cadillac. We welcome the opportunity to individually review your e-mail and we will have a response to you shortly. If this is an urgent matter, please call us at 1-800-458-8006. Customer Relationship Specialists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you really want to make people safe drivers again then simply remove all the safety features from cars. No more seat belts, ABS brakes, traction control, air bags or stability control. No more anything. You'll see how quickly people will slow down and once again learn to drive like "normal" humans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 unfortunately, niether Cadillac nor GM has any control over a privately owned dealer. I think you would be far better off talking to the service manager, general manager and then the owner in person (if you can get to him). If that proves fruitless, then the BBB or chaimber of commerce or something on that order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadillac Jim Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 Don't underestimate Cadillac customer service. If Cadillac calls your dealer and sets up an appointment, then Cadillac will follow up and see what happened, and you will get a customer satisfaction card that will have a Detroit address on it. I called OnStar and got connected to Cadillac when I got a strange message on my DIC once and that happened. I never saw a dealer so attentive. -- Click Here for CaddyInfo page on "How To" Read Your OBD Codes-- Click Here for my personal page to download my OBD code list as an Excel file, plus other Cadillac data -- See my CaddyInfo car blogs: 2011 CTS-V, 1997 ETC Yes, I was Jims_97_ETC before I changed cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 I think you should grab this 4.9 engine 50K I can get for you... He quoted $400. Maybe you can get Cadillac to install it for you on the cuff because their inability to properly diagnose the problem, it seems that you still had the leak after you left the dealer. I am very surprised that a pressure test did not turn that up. 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
epricedright Posted October 7, 2006 Report Share Posted October 7, 2006 Marika, sorry to hear about your car. If the dealership is unwilling to work with you, I'd have the dye presence in your oil documented (documention that it is indeed your head gasket) by a reputable facility, have the coolant checked for exhaust gases and document that as well, and take them straight to small claims court. You should be able to file for less than $50. Take the $3000 you win in court and buy another car. I agree with adallak, if you're unable to do most of the inevitable repairs yourself, leave the older (out of warranty) Caddies alone...unless you have deep pockets. I can only imagine what my repair costs would tally if I had to pay someone else to do all the work. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jndnaps Posted October 8, 2006 Report Share Posted October 8, 2006 I know how you feel, These older cadillacs are money pits. But I know one thing, If I paid a dealer to $3K to fix my car and it still has the same problem, I'd have it in there again and make sure they get it right at no more cost to me. If they don't take it I'd drive that sucker through their show room. Maybe try contacting your local TV News problem solver first though. Don't just give up and throw away $3K... Keep on their A$$... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted October 8, 2006 Report Share Posted October 8, 2006 Don't just give up and throw away $3K... Keep on their A$$... I agree. Don't just walk away in frustration. That's what they want you to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAC Posted October 8, 2006 Report Share Posted October 8, 2006 If the dealer guaranteed and provided a written statement indicating the engine is in good mechanical condition and it turns out that it's not, you need to lean on the dealer. Tell them that you relied on their professional, but inaccurate, opinion(s) and diagnosis to make decisions. You should alert the dealer A.S.A.P. about this situation. Timing is important. If I thought the dealer was negligent I would do everything I legally could to pressure it to remedy their faulty diagnosis. After all, you certainly would not have spent $3K if you were told the engine has a head gasket problem. If you want to get serious about this matter, you should send a letter to the dealer via certified mail explaining the situation. Make sure you describe what you did, what you were told, and what happened--and give dates. All conversations you had and have going forward with the dealership’s reps should be documented. If you can dispute the charges by contacting your credit card provider you should consider it; however, first discuss it with them. If the dealer refuses to fix the problem (assuming it is at fault) you may want to discuss the situation with an attorney. Also, you should contact the Better Business Bureau to determine if it can assist you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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