lpk34 Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 First of all, i am going to say sorry for the book i am about to type, but hopefully someone out there could help me. I have had to fill my antifreeze probably once a month. I was reading the previous post about smelling antifreeze and my problem might deal with that, but might be a little more. I dont smell antifreeze when i turn the heater on or AC. I smell antifreeze when i park my car and get out. I took it to the dealership about 5 months ago and they said they took care of it, and i havent seen a puddle since but i am still fillin it up once a month and smellin it when i park. About a week ago, i would go to start the engine to warm it up since the temps here have been in the upper teens. When i have it in park and its idling.....there is a slight shaking (puttering) it feels like going on in the engine. When i put in reverse there is the same shaking but once i start driving and pick up speed there is no problem anymore. Lastnight, I got in my car and was driving and the service engine light came on the same time it said Low coolant level......i went to purchase antifreeze today to fill up and see if it leaks tonight. Would anyone have any idea whats going on? I have only owned this vehicle for 4-5 months....and i always expect the worst...hopefully its not the engine that i am going to have to replace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 You won't have to replace the engine, but the head gaskets may be another story. Get a cylinder pressure test done or have the coolant tested for combustion gases. That will condemn or rule out head gaskets. The "slight shake" at idle makes me thing gaskets. Smelling coolant makes me think not. Your coolant is going somewhere and you need to find out where. Hopefully it is not out the tail pipe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lpk34 Posted January 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2008 You won't have to replace the engine, but the head gaskets may be another story. Get a cylinder pressure test done or have the coolant tested for combustion gases. That will condemn or rule out head gaskets. The "slight shake" at idle makes me thing gaskets. Smelling coolant makes me think not. Your coolant is going somewhere and you need to find out where. Hopefully it is not out the tail pipe. I appreciate the response greatly! If its a gasket problem...is that expensive? You said hopefully not out of the tailpipes at the end....what would that mean? I know its not coming out of the tailpipes but the way you make it sound thats a good thing..hahahahaha Do you know of a good Cadillac mechanic in Central Illinois? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted January 2, 2008 Report Share Posted January 2, 2008 Yes, a head gaskets job is expensive. $3000-$4000. The entire drivetrain has to be dropped and all 20 head bolt holes have to be Timeserted. If the head gasket is bad, coolant gets burned in the cylinder and goes out the tail pipe as steam (not good). Can't help with any mechanics in central Ill, sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lpk34 Posted January 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2008 Yes, a head gaskets job is expensive. $3000-$4000. The entire drivetrain has to be dropped and all 20 head bolt holes have to be Timeserted. If the head gasket is bad, coolant gets burned in the cylinder and goes out the tail pipe as steam (not good). Can't help with any mechanics in central Ill, sorry. do you know where i could go to find Diagnostic Trouble Codes for the 97 deville? would this be a wise thing to checkout before actually taking it to a mechanic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted January 2, 2008 Report Share Posted January 2, 2008 Simultaneously press & hold the OFF & WARMER buttons till the DIC lights up all segments as a test. The DTC's will be displayed. Decipher them here. http://myweb.accessus.net/~090/dtcobd2.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lpk34 Posted January 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2008 Is there a type of stuff you would use in a 97 deville to stop an antifreeze leak if there was one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted January 3, 2008 Report Share Posted January 3, 2008 GM cooling system supplement (sealant tabs) or Barsleaks tabs (HDC), same product. Either one is designed to seal a porous aluminum casting or a small nuisance leak, nothing more. They WILL NOT seal a bad head gasket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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