tnt_travis@hotmail.com Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 Hi guys, first post here. I bought a 1999 Seville SLS last november. It ran great until about april of 2007 I was on the highway and the engine temp went way up to the H. It then said Engine hot A/C Off. Engine hot idle engine. So I pull over and turn off the car for 5 minutes turn it back on the engine is back in the middle between C/H. So I drive and it then goes up closer to the H but then creeps right back down to the middle if I slow down. So since then when on the highway it will tick up to Hot or close to it, and usually if i slow down it will tick right back to the middle within a matter of seconds. Sometimes it will tick up 3/4 of the way and I will keep driving and it will tick right back to the middle too. I then Move from clinton, Iowa to Sprngfield missouri so have to make a 8 hour drive. I drive down here and when in St. Louis traffic jam the car goes all the way to the H and i cant pull over so i have to sit in the traffic with car on in Hot. It was also 95 degrees and sunny, didnt help. So i finally make it here after pulling over numerous times. Once I pulled over and noticed there was a little collant leaking from the overflow tank cap even tho it was on tightly. I get here and take it to a shop they change thermostat. I get car back but cant drive right now because I need new insurance and liscense(i'm 19). The car sat 3 weeks then I started it. When started there is now white smoke coming from the exhaust when idle, and it has that exhaust smell to it. I havent driven it yet to see if the smoke quits while driving. If i rev the engine when idle a lot more smoke comes out. I looked under the oil cap, no milky grey build-up. It isnt leaking coolant, but I can smell engine coolant coming from the car with no leaks. I started the car again a few days ago and this time no white smoke came from the exhaust, I left it running for an hour and it went just a tad bit past the middle of cold and hot just BARELY, but went right back to the middle within a few seconds. It did this about 6 times kept goin to the same spot then right back the the middle, this was nowhere near hot though. I did notice a little water on the ground under my tailpipes but that may be normal, wasnt too much. Does anyone know what I should do about this, hopefully I dont have a blown headgasket. The car has 87,000 miles. I had no money to get the car looked at and fixed until just recently because of personal reasons. I included a pic of how hot it was getting. Thanks for the input, and sorry for the long post! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonA Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 That's pretty hot. It sounds like the car definitely overheated a few times. Many times, it sounds like. The cause of the original overheat may not be known now. You said that the thermostat was changed, but now you get a lot of smoke out the tailpipes? If it sits there and idles, and starts to creep up just above the middle, then fall back down, that's normal -- it'll creep up until the cooling fans kick on, and then fall back down. But running in the HOT zone like that certainly is NOT normal, and I'm afraid there may be internal damage now beyond what the original failure may have been because of the multiple overheats. A major overheating like that is a major event to an engine. Your path forward now, in my opinion, is to either do or have done a compression test on all 8 cylinders. This will tell you if any cylinder is not holding pressure. If one or more does not hold pressure or build compression, you know you have a breached head gasket. It may not have been a head gasket failure initially, but after repeated overheat conditions, a failed head gasket may be the result. Jason(2001 STS, White Diamond) "When you turn your car on...does it return the favor?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 With the smoke and coolant smell you need to cut to the chase and have the cooling system tested for combustion by products you can buy a tester from NAPA parts or have your radiator shop test it. You should also have them pressure test the system. These two tests will provide you with the info you need to properly diagnose the problem. There is not easy cure, if its headgaskets, the engine MUST be timeserted, the job is about $2500 to $3000. BUT, don't panic yet, have the tests done. 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...
tnt_travis@hotmail.com Posted October 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 Ok I also have another question. The coolant in the overflow tank is brown, whats that mean? Is it rust from the engine or something? I think there could be something wrong with the radiator or hoses or something because I had my radiator changed back in february because it cracked from the cold, and since then the cars been acting up. I'm not sure how to do those tests so id have to take it somewhere, r they expensive to have done at a shop? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 Ok I also have another question. The coolant in the overflow tank is brown, whats that mean? Is it rust from the engine or something? I think there could be something wrong with the radiator or hoses or something because I had my radiator changed back in february because it cracked from the cold, and since then the cars been acting up. I'm not sure how to do those tests so id have to take it somewhere, r they expensive to have done at a shop? Wait, your car froze and the radiator cracked? Was there no anti-freeze/coolant in it? There are a whole host of issues with that, cracked block, head, etc. Check the tank to make sure its not cracked and check the cap to makes sure its holding its rated pressure. Also make sure the coolant to water ratio is 50/50 Also check the air purge line to make sure its flowing free, that line is attached to the top of the tank, take the hose off while the car is COOL and running. Given the symptoms you are having I would have the cooling system checked out, as noted above, after checking the items I mentioned. 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...
tnt_travis@hotmail.com Posted October 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 Ok thanks for the reply, and it got below freezing temperatures and the radiator cracked somehow because of being made of placstic or something he said, there was a little white smoke coming from under the hood and it stunk like coolant so they fixed that, im not sure if that has anything to do with this issue being as the overheating didnt start until the temperature got warmer outside....I'll try to have the cooling system checked out, my dad is trying to sell the car because of all of the problems im havin with no luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 Ok thanks for the reply, and it got below freezing temperatures and the radiator cracked somehow because of being made of placstic or something he said, there was a little white smoke coming from under the hood and it stunk like coolant so they fixed that, im not sure if that has anything to do with this issue being as the overheating didnt start until the temperature got warmer outside....I'll try to have the cooling system checked out, my dad is trying to sell the car because of all of the problems im havin with no luck! All radiators today domestic and foreign have plastic end tanks. If you cooling system froze bad enough to crack and end tank, thats not good. Your coolant must have been more water than coolant, and you could have damaged the block also. Problems?, it sounds more like poor maintenance. 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...
JasonA Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 The plastic radiator tanks can crack over time due to fatigue, but I wouldn't expect it from a car that young, and assuming it had a 50/50 ratio of water/coolant. Are you guys the original owners of the car? Honestly, I hope nobody buys it now if you don't disclose any information about the problems; it sounds like there are a lot of issues to fix to make it reliable. I sure wouldn't want one of my family members to come across a "deal" like that. Best of luck resolving the problems with it. It sounds like a lot of damage may have been done due to an improper mix of coolant, the wrong type of coolant, or a low coolant level. Jason(2001 STS, White Diamond) "When you turn your car on...does it return the favor?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adallak Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 Eight years old radiator end tank CAN crack. Mine cracked when the car was nine years old. I do not think your end tank cracked because of frozen coolant. The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 Eight years old radiator end tank CAN crack. Mine cracked when the car was nine years old. I do not think your end tank cracked because of frozen coolant. Oh, I assumed he KNEW it froze, I didnt realize he surmised that it froze or that he was told it froze. 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...
adallak Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 Eight years old radiator end tank CAN crack. Mine cracked when the car was nine years old. I do not think your end tank cracked because of frozen coolant. Oh, I assumed he KNEW it froze, I didnt realize he sumised that it froze or that he was told it frozed. Yes, Mike. He probably got that confusing "explanation" from the mechanic. The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigCat83 Posted October 30, 2007 Report Share Posted October 30, 2007 Have your coolant checked for combustion gases. You can get a test kit from NAPA for $50 and do the test yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted October 31, 2007 Report Share Posted October 31, 2007 Based on the description you gave, it is almost a sure bet that the head gaskets are shot, I am sorry to say. The brown coolant is not rust. The engine is aluminum. It will corrode, but won't rust. It is from the GM cooling system supplement (sealant tabs). Perfectly normal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tnt_travis@hotmail.com Posted November 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 Yeah I had the feeling the gaskets are bad, just because of the signs my car is giving me. My father owns the title to the car and he wants to sell it, he is not going to fix it hes just going to put bars leak in the radiator I guess for now. Hopefully that isnt the problem because I would hate to buy a car that turned out to have a bad gasket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 Yeah I had the feeling the gaskets are bad, just because of the signs my car is giving me. My father owns the title to the car and he wants to sell it, he is not going to fix it hes just going to put bars leak in the radiator I guess for now. Hopefully that isnt the problem because I would hate to buy a car that turned out to have a bad gasket. Tell me about it, see this thread http://caddyinfo.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=15519 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...
tnt_travis@hotmail.com Posted November 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 wow that sucks, why do some many cadillacs end up with bad heads? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 wow that sucks, why do some many cadillacs end up with bad heads? We did a poll and its about 15.5% see this poll Poll: Have you time-serted your engine? Aluminum engines tend to be sensitive to timely coolant changes, the green loses its corrosion protection at 2 years/24,000 miles and Dexcool (orange) loses its corrosion protection at 5 years/100,000 miles. Go beyond that there is no corrosion protection, and you risk it becoming acidic also. While its easy to blame the Northstar engine itself for head gasket problems without knowing the history of coolant changes, major overheating and freeze ups, we believe that it's the improper coolant change intervals that cause the problem. Of course, since the coolant has been changed on my 96 constantly since 30,000 miles (at 101K now), if mine blows a head gasket, we would revise that theory I have the maintenance history for my car since it was new, and it was changed at 30K, 50K, 75K, 85K and 95K the last couple of times due to major work on the car 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...
tnt_travis@hotmail.com Posted November 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 thats great, I shoulda just paid more attention to my car honestly! I just didnt know much about the cooling system until i started having the problem. I love Caddy's but may be looking at a impala now, those are good cars arent they? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 thats great, I shoulda just paid more attention to my car honestly! I just didnt know much about the cooling system until i started having the problem. I love Caddy's but may be looking at a impala now, those are good cars arent they? They are ALL good cars if they were maintained properly... 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...
tnt_travis@hotmail.com Posted November 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 haha thats true, I hate buying used cars because you never know how the owner before you maintained the car, and maybe even the owner before that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 haha thats true, I hate buying used cars because you never know how the owner before you maintained the car, and maybe even the owner before that. You have to find the proverbial little ole lady who drove it to church on Sunday and did a WOT getting on the expressway and had all work and maintenance done by a Cadillac dealer! 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...
tnt_travis@hotmail.com Posted November 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 lol yeah, thats what I need to do. Or buy a brand new car, which I dont have the money to do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.