johnnydone Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 could not find my previous post problem found small crack on bottom of surge tank $137 for tank and 2 hours labor thank god it wasnt head bolts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 Expensive? The headgaskets would be expensive, $137, is a beautiful thing! 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...
Bill K Posted November 1, 2007 Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 Better go buy a lottery ticket as you obviously have a run of luck going..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnydone Posted November 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2007 Expensive? The headgaskets would be expensive, $137, is a beautiful thing! the total was 268 the crack was in the nipple that the hose attaches to it would only leak under pressure one shop couldnt find it took it to a radiator shop showed up after preasure test it was driving me nuts car ran nice and never overheated thanks mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted November 2, 2007 Report Share Posted November 2, 2007 Expensive? The headgaskets would be expensive, $137, is a beautiful thing! the total was 268 the crack was in the nipple that the hose attaches to it would only leak under pressure one shop couldnt find it took it to a radiator shop showed up after preasure test it was driving me nuts car ran nice and never overheated thanks mike Johnny, That is EXACTLY where my '97 was leaking. Likewise, it was a hairline crack that I could not see till it was under pressure. Fixed it with JB Weld. That was 2 years ago and still holding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted November 2, 2007 Report Share Posted November 2, 2007 Expensive? The headgaskets would be expensive, $137, is a beautiful thing! the total was 268 the crack was in the nipple that the hose attaches to it would only leak under pressure one shop couldnt find it took it to a radiator shop showed up after preasure test it was driving me nuts car ran nice and never overheated thanks mike It's good to know that a pressure test will uncover those types of things, afterall we recommend it all the time... 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...
BodybyFisher Posted November 2, 2007 Report Share Posted November 2, 2007 Expensive? The headgaskets would be expensive, $137, is a beautiful thing! the total was 268 the crack was in the nipple that the hose attaches to it would only leak under pressure one shop couldnt find it took it to a radiator shop showed up after preasure test it was driving me nuts car ran nice and never overheated thanks mike Johnny, That is EXACTLY where my '97 was leaking. Likewise, it was a hairline crack that I could not see till it was under pressure. Fixed it with JB Weld. That was 2 years ago and still holding. Johnny, don't you hate that, Ranger spends $5.79 to fix his, and he rubs it in 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...
johnnydone Posted November 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2007 Expensive? The headgaskets would be expensive, $137, is a beautiful thing! the total was 268 the crack was in the nipple that the hose attaches to it would only leak under pressure one shop couldnt find it took it to a radiator shop showed up after preasure test it was driving me nuts car ran nice and never overheated thanks mike It's good to know that a pressure test will uncover those types of things, afterall we recommend it all the time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnydone Posted November 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2007 Expensive? The headgaskets would be expensive, $137, is a beautiful thing! the total was 268 the crack was in the nipple that the hose attaches to it would only leak under pressure one shop couldnt find it took it to a radiator shop showed up after preasure test it was driving me nuts car ran nice and never overheated thanks mike It's good to know that a pressure test will uncover those types of things, afterall we recommend it all the time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnydone Posted November 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2007 Expensive? The headgaskets would be expensive, $137, is a beautiful thing! the total was 268 the crack was in the nipple that the hose attaches to it would only leak under pressure one shop couldnt find it took it to a radiator shop showed up after preasure test it was driving me nuts car ran nice and never overheated thanks mike Johnny, That is EXACTLY where my '97 was leaking. Likewise, it was a hairline crack that I could not see till it was under pressure. Fixed it with JB Weld. That was 2 years ago and still holding. if i new that and that jb weld would fix it would have saved me 268 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
95SevilleSLS Posted November 2, 2007 Report Share Posted November 2, 2007 I think ebay also had a used one for $10, but who knows if it was leaking or not. My 2000 DTS had a crack in the tank also. The previous owners smeared something on it to plug it. I'm guessing that is how it overheated and that's how the head got fried. Some people are just so careless. "What? It's overheating? I think I'll go drive it another couple hundred miles." Jerks... -Dusty- - 02 Seville STS, white diamond - 93 Sixty Special, Tan with vinyl top - 79 Coupe DeVille, Tan with Tan top - 06 GMC Sierra Z71, Black - 92 Silverado C1500, black and grey - 83 Chevy K10 Silverado, Black and Grey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted November 2, 2007 Report Share Posted November 2, 2007 I think ebay also had a used one for $10, but who knows if it was leaking or not. My 2000 DTS had a crack in the tank also. The previous owners smeared something on it to plug it. I'm guessing that is how it overheated and that's how the head got fried. Some people are just so careless. "What? It's overheating? I think I'll go drive it another couple hundred miles." Jerks... One of the worst things that GM did when they introduced the Northstar was to say that it could be driven 50 miles without coolant to get you home. If I am not mistaken, it will drop cylinders to keep itself cool A NS driven 50 miles without coolant is not one that I would want. 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...
95SevilleSLS Posted November 2, 2007 Report Share Posted November 2, 2007 Yeah, they should have added the feature, but not told anyone. People will inevitably abuse it. When the deville overheats, it doesn't have mercy, it just starts heading for the top and you better be within a mile of home or your screwed. It doesn't stop until it's pegged. I don't know if that cylinder shut off isn't working or what the deal is. -Dusty- - 02 Seville STS, white diamond - 93 Sixty Special, Tan with vinyl top - 79 Coupe DeVille, Tan with Tan top - 06 GMC Sierra Z71, Black - 92 Silverado C1500, black and grey - 83 Chevy K10 Silverado, Black and Grey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHE Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 I think ebay also had a used one for $10, but who knows if it was leaking or not. My 2000 DTS had a crack in the tank also. The previous owners smeared something on it to plug it. I'm guessing that is how it overheated and that's how the head got fried. Some people are just so careless. "What? It's overheating? I think I'll go drive it another couple hundred miles." Jerks... One of the worst things that GM did when they introduced the Northstar was to say that it could be driven 50 miles without coolant to get you home. If I am not mistaken, it will drop cylinders to keep itself cool A NS driven 50 miles without coolant is not one that I would want. I remember the guru saying that he and some others took a Northstar development car and drove it 25 miles to lunch and back with no coolant in it and other than having little power due to the cylinder deactivation, it performed flawlessly. There has to be a factor of safety in the 50 mile limit as well. Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAC Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 One of the worst things that GM did when they introduced the Northstar was to say that it could be driven 50 miles without coolant to get you home. If I am not mistaken, it will drop cylinders to keep itself cool A NS driven 50 miles without coolant is not one that I would want. Are you saying that if Creampuff lost all her coolant driving through the Arizona desert and you were forced to drive 50 miles to the nearest service station in Limp Mode, when you arrived home, you would sell her? Jeopardy clock.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 One of the worst things that GM did when they introduced the Northstar was to say that it could be driven 50 miles without coolant to get you home. If I am not mistaken, it will drop cylinders to keep itself cool A NS driven 50 miles without coolant is not one that I would want. Are you saying that if Creampuff lost all her coolant driving through the Arizona desert and you were forced to drive 50 miles to the nearest service station in Limp Mode, when you arrived home, you would sell her? Jeopardy clock.... I am saying that I would not drive it through the desert, and would probably call for help and walk. I am not a big fan of seriously overheating aluminum. Now if my wife was in labor, I would drive it, but I would never feel comfortable again about 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...
MAC Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 One of the worst things that GM did when they introduced the Northstar was to say that it could be driven 50 miles without coolant to get you home. If I am not mistaken, it will drop cylinders to keep itself cool A NS driven 50 miles without coolant is not one that I would want. Are you saying that if Creampuff lost all her coolant driving through the Arizona desert and you were forced to drive 50 miles to the nearest service station in Limp Mode, when you arrived home, you would sell her? Jeopardy clock.... I am saying that I would not drive it through the desert, and would probably call for help and walk. I am not a big fan of seriouly overheating aluminum. Now if my wife was in labor, I would drive it, but I would never feel comfortable again about the car. When my heater core went south in my silver Eldo I could have tested Limp Home mode, but I didn't. Instead, I purchased four gallons of water and drove 30 miles, stopping at a service station and a canal to refill. At the canal, I submerged two of the gallon containers into the dirty water to replenish my water supply. I would rather look like a dope trying to fill a couple of gallons than overheat. I eventually made it home without allowing the temperature to get to 260. I believe it went as high as 258. I believe Limp Mode kicks in at 270? I've drove it about 5K miles since and it still runs great with no signs of damage i.e. blown head gasket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brmurph Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 I remember asking the guru if a Northstar over heated and you had the option to stop and have it towed or drive the 50 miles (or less) in limp home mode which should we do. I remember his response saying something like "tow it home, I thought that was obvious" ... I thought that was kind of a strange response as in the same post he was talking about how well the limp home mode works and how they had tested it often. I think his point was that it is designed to get you off the road safely and hopefully no permanent engine damage (emphasis on the safely and not on the no engine damage:-). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 Yes, he often mentioned that it was a safety not convenience feature. I have always said I would only drive it in limp home mode if I was under fire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmac-etc Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 Well, it works. Happened to me 6 yrs (~60k miles) ago. Yes, it drops cylinders, it drops to 4 cyls and my understanding is that alternates them resulting in a sort of air pump which does the job. It was my fault that it overheated, the coolant was topped off, but the fans weren't working due to my mistake. This was in summer, downtown San Fransisco close to 4pm. Near gridlock conditions. A little more detail, in the last post: http://caddyinfo.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=198 Currently 160k mi. WOT's daily, no oil burning, no head issues, nothing leaks.... It is not to be abused but it works and is brilliant. I have 'limped' home twice. Once for the overheating and once due to a tranny problem (shift solenoids). Never been stranded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadillac Jim Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 Car & Driver actually drained the coolant and got 0-60 mph and quarter mile times in the limp-home mode. The video that comes with the car mentions the limp-home mode only in passing. The owner's manual treats it as a safety thing. The FSM points out that it drops cylinders in a "random" pattern as rmac-etc says. I believe that the warranty is not voided if you don't exceed 50 miles. I think this falls into use of a compact spare. If you really need it then it's there for you, and it's unique to the Northstar system. It will get you to a phone or a main road when you would be flat stranded with anything that didn't have the Northstar system. I would trust an engine that has been driven in the limp-home mode, but it would take a few months of use for me to get full confidence back. I would pour hog sweat into the surge tank if I could get some before I drove it empty, and I would rather pay for a tow than do that to my car, but it's there if I have a safety issue. -- 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...
MAC Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 With gas prices going up is there any way I can drive my Eldo in Limp Mode regardless of cooling system problems. Maybe I'll get 30mpg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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