Timeserted Northstar

[KHE]

As far as the question, is a timeserted NS better than new, I can only say that I hope I never have to find out.

Although my 97 Eldo ETC has only 64,000 miles on it, it is however over 10 years old and has never had any type

of engine problems or overheating problems. In fact, the only parts that I have ever changed are brakes, blower motor, and just recently, the fuel pump. The blower motor was the worst of them to change. I haven't owned the car since it was new, but since I've had it I change the coolant every 2 years, but I don't use the Dexcool.

I use the same coolant that we use in the Mack trucks at the dealership that I wrench at. It's rated protection is 5 yrs, 300,000 miles and is silicate free, and comes already premixed at 50/50 right out of the container. I don't know for sure if the regular coolant changes help to prevent possible problems, but then again, I am pretty sure that it can't hurt.

I would not use coolant that is made for large, over the road trucks - it contains nitrates which are not recommended in an aluminum passenger car engine. What is good for large trucks is not necessarily good for passenger cars and vice versa. Do your car a favor and flush out the truck coolant and put DexCool back in there. You may need to change the DexCool every two years.

The flat rate compensation system at dealers is flawed and needs to be replaced with a syatem that provides fair compensation and guarantees a quality repair.

To be sure, that's the heart of the problem. Dealers treat techs like slaves. The hourly rate now is generally $100.00, in some cases more, and the techs don't see much of it. And then there is the inflated prices for parts... Of course the dealers scream poverty if not for their charges. But...How many dealership owners have become gazillionaires?

That is why I do ALL my own repairs - I know that it will be done properly.

[MrEldo97]

That is why I do ALL my own repairs - I know that it will be done properly.

Bingo!

My other ride is a '95 Jaguar XJS convertible and I just finished a major service on it; oil change, chassis lube, trans service, diff lube change,

coolant replace, brake fluid replace. It's now closed up and sitting in the Florida sun with Leatherique soaking into the leather seats and the last thing that remains to do is a front wheel bearing clean and re-pack. I do my own work for the same reason and I use good quality brand name lubes and fluids. My Eldorado and my XJS compliment one another and I wouldn't hesitate to drive either to Alaska and back.

[BodybyFisher]

That is why I do ALL my own repairs - I know that it will be done properly.

I feel exactly the same way.

[jerrymac]

I would not use coolant that is made for large, over the road trucks - it contains nitrates which are not recommended in an aluminum passenger car engine. What is good for large trucks is not necessarily good for passenger cars and vice versa. Do your car a favor and flush out the truck coolant and put DexCool back in there. You may need to change the DexCool every two years.

The coolant I use doesn't contain nitrites. We add that to it in the form of Pencool for the trucks.

[BodybyFisher]

The flat rate compensation system at dealers is flawed and needs to be replaced with a syatem that provides fair compensation and guarantees a quality repair.

To be sure, that's the heart of the problem. Dealers treat techs like slaves. The hourly rate now is generally $100.00, in some cases more, and the techs don't see much of it. And then there is the inflated prices for pasrts... Of course the dealers scream poverty if not for their charges. But...How many dealership owners have become gazillionaires?

I do not have a problem with them becoming wealthy given the risk and responsiblity they have on them owning a business, I just think they need to be fair and to make sure that procedures, mechanics billable time and repairs are the best they can be. At all times GM's reputation should be paramount as they produce the cars that the dealers sales and service makes their salaries on. And by that, I don't mean that GM should constantly be bled. GM has a responsibility also, if the dealers are seeing problems, like pulled bolts, GM should move to remedy the situation in production, there should be close feedback between the dealer service and the production line. If GM does NOT remedy the situation, they should reimburse the dealer for the increased repair time caused by this problem.

While we are magifying this situation and discussing it like its COMMON, see this poll, its not so common

http://caddyinfo.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=4942

out of a hundred Northstars, 85 are GOOD and 15 are BAD but they have lasted in the area of 80000 to 120000 miles before the problem happens. I keep thinking that in the old days, when a car hit 100K it was junk, we have come a long way in terms of durability.

[adallak]

out of a hundred Northstars, 85 are GOOD and 15 are BAD but they have lasted in the area of 80000 to 120000 miles before the problem happens. I keep thinking that in the old days, when a car hit 100K it was junk, we have come a long way in terms of durability.

Mike, the old days are gone... Nowadays a 40k plus car must last much more than 100kmiles. I have been visiting a Benz forum for a few months. Benzes do have problems as well. And they are more expensive than our Cadillacs... I believe the statistics we got 85/15 is pretty close to the real life situation. Yes, people come here because they have problems. But, first people come here not exclusively because of blown headgaskets. Besides, there are thousands of owners with headgasket problems who never visit sites as this one. I had discussions with several Cadillac techs over some five years. NO One of them told they got Northstars with blown headgaskets occasionally. The word they usually use is ALOT! I think all of us agree that GM must have addressed this issue instead of saying that only a very small percentage of cars has been affected. I also heard that it was "an easy and inexpensive repair". I have too much respect to the person to reveal his name...

All cars, no matter domestic or imported, do have problems. But on the other hand, my cousin just traded in a perfectly running 2000 Nissan Sentra which he bought new for $15k. He have been driving that car every day in any weather, did not even know where to put coolant or where is the transmission deepstick. Never washed that car... Never changed the coolant. Regularly changed the motor oil only. In eight years and after 170.000 miles the only repair he had was BRAKE PADS, ROTORS and an OXYGEN SENSOR. He traded it in not because he expected some problems, he just got tired of the car, and bought new Sentra. Ideally, I would probably buy another Cadillac AND a rice burner. Just to know you have a spare transportation you will not be worrying much about.

[BodybyFisher]

I hear you clearly. Don't forget that those cars were only lasting 100K because they were inferior (fuel in oil from carburators) increasing wear. I do not believe that cars where cheaper back then (relative to salaries).