concerned by message

[nopucophop]

I just inheritted a 96 eldo. this car has been extremely well taken care of. I have had it 1 day. It has gone from good to bad quick. I think. I got a service emission system message to a service engine light. How bad is this? This car only has 66k on it but i am worried repair costs may be to much for me.

[adallak]

I just inheritted a 96 eldo. this car has been extremely well taken care of. I have had it 1 day. It has gone from good to bad quick. I think. I got a service emission system message to a service engine light. How bad is this? This car only has 66k on it but i am worried repair costs may be to much for me.

Probably the EGR valve should be cleaned. Pull the diagnostic codes and post here. For reference see this link:

http://caddyinfo.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=15254

[winterset]

Welcome. Search the board on how to pull the codes (simultaniously holding the off & warmer buttons), so we can help you fix this. it's typically not a big deal, and can all be tied to general maintenance.

Also there are a few preventative items that should be addressed on an older Caddy - again, there have been discussions on all these: change coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluids. just because your car has low mileage doesn't mean these things dont need to be done - it's still a 14 year old car.

I suspect the EGR valve is getting stuck, and just needs to be cleaned.

[BodybyFisher]

Not a problem follow adallaks and wintersets recommendation

[nopucophop]

Welcome. Search the board on how to pull the codes (simultaniously holding the off & warmer buttons), so we can help you fix this. it's typically not a big deal, and can all be tied to general maintenance.

Also there are a few preventative items that should be addressed on an older Caddy - again, there have been discussions on all these: change coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluids. just because your car has low mileage doesn't mean these things dont need to be done - it's still a 14 year old car.

I suspect the EGR valve is getting stuck, and just needs to be cleaned.

Thank You. I realize that it is a older car. It is amazing how well it has been taking care. I open the book and there is all the sku numbers that he used to order gm glass cleaner,gm leather cleaner... and all the service records. I brought to my mechanic today for an oil change, fluid check and see why the service engine light. He thinks i would be crazy to get rid of this car and to not worry about service as the northstar is top notch.

[nopucophop]

so my fears have come true. what was a simple service emissions to a service engine, has become a leaking head gasket and a fuel mix problem that is going to cost way more then i have. anyone interested in a 96 eldo w/ 66k on it let me know. the body and interior is emacculate. If i could afford to fix it i would but I can't.

[BodybyFisher]

so my fears have come true. what was a simple service emissions to a service engine, has become a leaking head gasket and a fuel mix problem that is going to cost way more then i have. anyone interested in a 96 eldo w/ 66k on it let me know. the body and interior is emacculate. If i could afford to fix it i would but I can't.

Was this car overheating?

What were the codes, did you retrieve them?

Where did you buy this car?

Fuel mix problem?, explain

Post your codes, dont panic, post your codes as we previously recommended to you

I merged your two related threads, there was NO reason for a new thread, we need the history

[nopucophop]

so my fears have come true. what was a simple service emissions to a service engine, has become a leaking head gasket and a fuel mix problem that is going to cost way more then i have. anyone interested in a 96 eldo w/ 66k on it let me know. the body and interior is emacculate. If i could afford to fix it i would but I can't.

Was this car overheating?

What were the codes, did you retrieve them?

Where did you buy this car?

Fuel mix problem?, explain

Post your codes, dont panic, post your codes as we previously recommended to you

I merged your two related threads, there was NO reason for a new thread, we need the history

No, the car was not overheating

I did not retrieve the codes. I brought the car to my trusted GM dealer. He said the head gasket leak is visible and the codes are coming back with a fuel mix problem. There is no antifreeze in the oil, but he said you can see the leak.

I got this car from a close family friend. She is elderly and her husband passed. She said the emission message comes up when a oil change is needed. Which is what originally i brought the car to the GM. I figured I should have him check why the service engine light came on.

[adallak]

so my fears have come true. what was a simple service emissions to a service engine, has become a leaking head gasket and a fuel mix problem that is going to cost way more then i have. anyone interested in a 96 eldo w/ 66k on it let me know. the body and interior is emacculate. If i could afford to fix it i would but I can't.

Was this car overheating?

What were the codes, did you retrieve them?

Where did you buy this car?

Fuel mix problem?, explain

Post your codes, dont panic, post your codes as we previously recommended to you

I merged your two related threads, there was NO reason for a new thread, we need the history

No, the car was not overheating

I did not retrieve the codes. I brought the car to my trusted GM dealer. He said the head gasket leak is visible and the codes are coming back with a fuel mix problem. There is no antifreeze in the oil, but he said you can see the leak.

I got this car from a close family friend. She is elderly and her husband passed. She said the emission message comes up when a oil change is needed. Which is what originally i brought the car to the GM. I figured I should have him check why the service engine light came on.

No matter how much you trust your local dealer it never hurts to do your own work with help of this board. First thing that failed on my used 1991 Seville in a week after the purchase was ISC motor. I took it to a dealer. They diagnosed "the problem" and told me it would cost more than $1,600 to fix it. The same day I bought Chilton repair manual, diagnosed the problem, bought ISC motor for $75 and fixed everything myself. That was a good lesson. No mechanic touched my car since (and it saw lots of repairs in nine years, believe me). If it were not this board my Caddy would cost me thousands instead of hundreds of dollars.

[BodybyFisher]

so my fears have come true. what was a simple service emissions to a service engine, has become a leaking head gasket and a fuel mix problem that is going to cost way more then i have. anyone interested in a 96 eldo w/ 66k on it let me know. the body and interior is emacculate. If i could afford to fix it i would but I can't.

Was this car overheating?

What were the codes, did you retrieve them?

Where did you buy this car?

Fuel mix problem?, explain

Post your codes, dont panic, post your codes as we previously recommended to you

I merged your two related threads, there was NO reason for a new thread, we need the history

No, the car was not overheating

I did not retrieve the codes. I brought the car to my trusted GM dealer. He said the head gasket leak is visible and the codes are coming back with a fuel mix problem. There is no antifreeze in the oil, but he said you can see the leak.

I got this car from a close family friend. She is elderly and her husband passed. She said the emission message comes up when a oil change is needed. Which is what originally i brought the car to the GM. I figured I should have him check why the service engine light came on.

You are being difficult to get along with. If you have not noticed we are trying to help TRUST NO ONE not even your SO CALLED TRUSTED GM DEALER. You DO NOT have the symptoms of a BAD HEAD GASKET, he is there to sell cars.

If you are unable to check the codes have someone OTHER THAN the dealer check them

HIS reply to YOU that he could SEE the head gasket leak is PURE BS, if you could see the LEAK you would be OVERHEATING FOR SURE

Do as we request or suffer the consequenses as they say IGNORANCE IS BLISS

These engines can leak in a bunch of places, what your dealer did was NOT ENOUGH to determine that you have a bad headgasket

[Texas Jim]

PLUS 1 to what Body by Fisher said.

I know you are panicked by your car trouble...but calm down.

Either pull the codes yourself, or have someone pull them...write them down and post them here.

We will try to help you.

DO NOT go and spend any more money at the dealer.

The service emission message could just be a dirty EGR valve, or maybe an inexpensive o2 sensor.

No way to tell till you PULL THE CODES.

[nopucophop]

guys I am not trying to be difficult at all. The car is at the shop when I get it tomorrow I will post the codes. I questioned him why the car did not overheat when I had a 5 hour drive with the car the other day and he said it is just a small amount leaking out. Not enough to overheat but it is just going to get worse. I promise I will post codes but I don't have the car to get them I am picking it up tomorrow. To accuse me that I am difficult to get along with is not fair. I completely understand you are all trying to help, and believe me I appreciate it.

[BodybyFisher]

guys I am not trying to be difficult at all. The car is at the shop when I get it tomorrow I will post the codes. I questioned him why the car did not overheat when I had a 5 hour drive with the car the other day and he said it is just a small amount leaking out. Not enough to overheat but it is just going to get worse. I promise I will post codes but I don't have the car to get them I am picking it up tomorrow. To accuse me that I am difficult to get along with is not fair. I completely understand you are all trying to help, and believe me I appreciate it.

Sorry for being hard on you, I am trying to get your attention, and make you understand that we CAN help.

Find a GOOD radiator shop and have them:

Pressure test the cooling system

Have them find and detail all leak locations (there are many potential locations that CAN leak)

Check the coolant for hydrocarbons

then post your codes here, dont panic yet

[nopucophop]

guys I am not trying to be difficult at all. The car is at the shop when I get it tomorrow I will post the codes. I questioned him why the car did not overheat when I had a 5 hour drive with the car the other day and he said it is just a small amount leaking out. Not enough to overheat but it is just going to get worse. I promise I will post codes but I don't have the car to get them I am picking it up tomorrow. To accuse me that I am difficult to get along with is not fair. I completely understand you are all trying to help, and believe me I appreciate it.

Maybe I am not being clear on something the code is not why they are saying the head gasket is leaking it is that you can supposedly see it leaking. Obviously I will look my self when I get the car back.

[BodybyFisher]

guys I am not trying to be difficult at all. The car is at the shop when I get it tomorrow I will post the codes. I questioned him why the car did not overheat when I had a 5 hour drive with the car the other day and he said it is just a small amount leaking out. Not enough to overheat but it is just going to get worse. I promise I will post codes but I don't have the car to get them I am picking it up tomorrow. To accuse me that I am difficult to get along with is not fair. I completely understand you are all trying to help, and believe me I appreciate it.

Maybe I am not being clear on something the code is not why they are saying the head gasket is leaking it is that you can supposedly see it leaking. Obviously I will look my self when I get the car back.

Nope you have made yourself clear, headgaskets themselves DON'T set codes, but a head gasket problem will cause overheating and severe over temp will set a code. Many things will appear to be a leaking headgasket like a leaky water pump body seal, crossover seals or leaky heater pipes. Only a small percentage of headgaskets leak externally.

BUT your emissions message will set a code, and

your 'fuel' problem will set a code

Have patience, many mechanics jump the gun, they really dont want to repair older cars. You need a good radiator shop, but I dont see headgasket symptoms if you drove it for 5 hours with no overheating or coolant loss messages or steam, etc. Next time you drive the car, call up the digital coolant temp and keep an eye on it while you drive and report the temps at highway speed and stop and go

[nopucophop]

So I called the garage and asked for the codes. They are as follows. P1139, P0138. I also spoke to the guy the had serviced it before and he said to get ac delco coolant tabs and that will resolve the leak. As said before there was no overheating and no steam. So maybe there is a small leak but he thinks the tabs will resolve it.

[nopucophop]

I thought i posted this a few minutes a go but I did not see it come up. sorry if it is a double post

So I called the garage and asked for the codes. They are as follows. P1139, P0138. I also spoke to the guy the had serviced it before and he said to get ac delco coolant tabs and that will resolve the leak. As said before there was no overheating and no steam. So maybe there is a small leak but he thinks the tabs will resolve it

[nopucophop]

I thought i posted this a few minutes a go but I did not see it come up. sorry if it is a double post

So I called the garage and asked for the codes. They are as follows. P1139, P0138. I also spoke to the guy the had serviced it before and he said to get ac delco coolant tabs and that will resolve the leak. As said before there was no overheating and no steam. So maybe there is a small leak but he thinks the tabs will resolve it

ah hah there is a second page to the forum. sorry for the double post. stupid me

[nopucophop]

I thought i posted this a few minutes a go but I did not see it come up. sorry if it is a double post

So I called the garage and asked for the codes. They are as follows. P1139, P0138. I also spoke to the guy the had serviced it before and he said to get ac delco coolant tabs and that will resolve the leak. As said before there was no overheating and no steam. So maybe there is a small leak but he thinks the tabs will resolve it

ah hah there is a second page to the forum. sorry for the double post. stupid me

So I realize these codes are for the o2 sensor. The garage is saying yes it is a o2 sensor but the sensor was changed 3 months ago. So why is it again coming up with this. That there must be a bigger problem causing the bad o2 reading. There saying it could be fuel mix,electrical... They think it is just not worth investigating.

[winterset]

there is more than 1 O2 sensor. - maybe they are changing the wrong one.

I doubt the tablets in the coolant will stop the leak. I would have the system pressure checked, and when the problem is fixed, and there are no more leaks, drain the coolant, put new 50/50 dexcool in, and then put in the tablets. I think the tablets are more to prevent minor nusense leaks, and not fix any leaks that are detectable.

[BodybyFisher]

P0138 - Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) Circuit High Voltage Bank 1 Sensor 2

Here is the O2 Sensor Location Key:

Bank 1 Sensor 1 - right bank (rear) manifold

Bank 1 Sensor 2 - pre-cat

Bank 1 Sensor 3 - aft-cat

Bank 2 Sensor 1 - left bank (front) manifold

[nopucophop]

P0138 - Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) Circuit High Voltage Bank 1 Sensor 2

Here is the O2 Sensor Location Key:

Bank 1 Sensor 1 - right bank (rear) manifold

Bank 1 Sensor 2 - pre-cat

Bank 1 Sensor 3 - aft-cat

Bank 2 Sensor 1 - left bank (front) manifold

Yeah , it is sensor 2 the same one that was just changed 3 months a go.

[nopucophop]

P0138 - Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) Circuit High Voltage Bank 1 Sensor 2

Here is the O2 Sensor Location Key:

Bank 1 Sensor 1 - right bank (rear) manifold

Bank 1 Sensor 2 - pre-cat

Bank 1 Sensor 3 - aft-cat

Bank 2 Sensor 1 - left bank (front) manifold

Yeah , it is sensor 2 the same one that was just changed 3 months a go.

The garage is saying something else is causing this sensor reading. that just by changing the sensor is not going to fix the problem.

[BodybyFisher]

P1139 - Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) Insuff. Switching Bank 1 Sensor 2

What other codes, a fuel code as you noted could cause O2 sensors to go bad prematurely

[nopucophop]

P1139 - Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S) Insuff. Switching Bank 1 Sensor 2

What other codes, a fuel code as you noted could cause O2 sensors to go bad prematurely

There are no other codes. The garage is saying there is a fuel mix prob or an electrical problem. something is wrong that this needs a o2 sensor so soon.