BUICK11 Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 We have a extreamly nice 2001 DTS (First year for the performance DTS) Purchased brand new. the car is extreamly nice only 65k on the car garage kept. Hardly ever driven in the rain. Last March the dealer resealed the Half case under warranty. My next concern is the head bolts and the head gaskets. The cooling system has been properly serviced at least 3 times with the correct number of GM pellets installed. We may keep the car indefinately or trade it when the new XTS arrives. I would like to wait until the Platinum XTS which may be one of the last ones introduces perhaps next spring according to Bruce. My concerns about the head bolts may be a bit much but would ask what the life of these things lasting could be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted July 30, 2011 Report Share Posted July 30, 2011 That is a hard question to answer as you noted. When the head bolts have gone its been in the 95000 to 125000 range, but who knows. The bolts changed in 2000 and 2004 and the problematic years were 93 to 99 with 99 appearing to have a higher incidence. There was definatly a tapering off of the problem after 2000. Three coolant changes is an average of about 22,000 miles per interval. I was reading a website on Dexcool recently and read something interesting. That you should not wait until the recommended change interval (which of course you have not) and to test the coolant using a voltmeter. I had never heard that before, but see this link on Dexcool and testing it with a volt meter. You will notice that as the coolant looses its corrosion protection, the voltmeter reading it higher, I wonder if electrolysis is possible? Especially see the paragraph that starts "As for deciding when to change your antifreeze" http://www.getahelme.../maint/dexcool/ 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...
Cadillac Jim Posted July 31, 2011 Report Share Posted July 31, 2011 The voltage measurement described on the page at your link is definitely a galvanic voltage measurement. The aluminum block is grounded, and the coolant will take on the galvanic voltage of the coolant-block interface. If it's high enough to cause chemical reactions, there will be galvanic corrosion. The threshold of 0.5 to 0.7 Volts is about right for that. Be sure that the positive probe on your voltmeter, the one you put into the surge tank, has good nickel or chrome plating on it. Otherwise there will be a galvanic voltage from the probe to the coolant that will confuse the reading. Thanks for the link. -- 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...
BodybyFisher Posted July 31, 2011 Report Share Posted July 31, 2011 Thanks Jim 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...
WarrenJ Posted July 31, 2011 Report Share Posted July 31, 2011 Especially see the paragraph that starts "As for deciding when to change your antifreeze" http://www.getahelme.../maint/dexcool/ Yep. Nice link Mike. There is no means of avoiding the final collapse of a boom brought about by credit expansion. The alternative is only whether the crisis should come sooner as the result of a voluntary abandonment of further credit expansion, or later as a final and total catastrophe of the currency system involved. - Ludwig von Mises Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted July 31, 2011 Report Share Posted July 31, 2011 Thanks Warren 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...
Ranger Posted August 1, 2011 Report Share Posted August 1, 2011 My concerns about the head bolts may be a bit much but would ask what the life of these things lasting could be? Anywhere from next week to forever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHE Posted August 1, 2011 Report Share Posted August 1, 2011 The very first sentence under the properties chart is BS. It states that green coolant is propylene glycol - not true. Not all green coolant is proplyene glycol - most green coolant is ethylene glycol - just with a silicated corrosion inhibitor. The Dexcool and Green coolant are both ethylene glycol. The only difference is the corrosion inhibitor package and the color. Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted August 1, 2011 Report Share Posted August 1, 2011 My concerns about the head bolts may be a bit much but would ask what the life of these things lasting could be? Anywhere from next week to forever. Not a risk taker Ranger, you gave it a week of carefree driving? I laughed when I read your response. its a shame that GM can't produce the upper half of the block for purchase, now there is a money maker. What would it take for a few of us getting together and approaching GM for the drawings and specs, maybe we can get it produced..... not likely we could get that info from GM huh?, then we would need it for all the different years, etc... 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...
KHE Posted August 1, 2011 Report Share Posted August 1, 2011 My concerns about the head bolts may be a bit much but would ask what the life of these things lasting could be? Anywhere from next week to forever. Not a risk taker Ranger, you gave it a week of carefree driving? I laughed when I read your response. its a shame that GM can't produce the upper half of the block for purchase, now there is a money maker. What would it take for a few of us getting together and approaching GM for the drawings and specs, maybe we can get it produced..... not likely we could get that info from GM huh?, then we would need it for all the different years, etc... I think the problem with replacing the upper block only is that the piston diameters are matched to the block bore diameters. It would still be cheaper to Timesert the existing block vs. replacing the upper block. Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoupeDTS Posted August 1, 2011 Report Share Posted August 1, 2011 We have a extreamly nice 2001 DTS (First year for the performance DTS) Purchased brand new. the car is extreamly nice only 65k on the car garage kept. Hardly ever driven in the rain. Last March the dealer resealed the Half case under warranty. My next concern is the head bolts and the head gaskets. The cooling system has been properly serviced at least 3 times with the correct number of GM pellets installed. We may keep the car indefinately or trade it when the new XTS arrives. I would like to wait until the Platinum XTS which may be one of the last ones introduces perhaps next spring according to Bruce. My concerns about the head bolts may be a bit much but would ask what the life of these things lasting could be? Actually 2000 was the first year for the "DTS" badge. The body style was the same 2000-2005 and that higher performance engine was put in devilles previous to 2000 under the badge "Concours" that also had fog lights and bucket seats. Depending on how much you drive I would say you wont have any problems till atleast lower 100k's. A TCC problem can pop up around 100k which can cost a couple grand. Also plugs, fuel pump, coils, alternator all can go around that 100k mark. So if you drive it 5k miles a year it has many good years left. You talked about trading it in so dont forget about the resale value of your car. You may expect alot, but in actuality even with its mileage you may only get 5,000-6,000 for it trade in. No matter how nice it is. That might not help much when getting a new XTS. You may have paid 55,000 for it new but the depreciation is huge! It may be worth more to you to keep it depending on your situation. Hope that helps. * 1966 Deville Convertible * 2007 Escalade ESV Black on Black * 1996 Fleetwood Brougham Black on Black V4P -Gone* 1983 Coupe Deville Street/Show Lowrider -Gone* 1970 Calais 4dr Hardtop GONE* 2000 Deville DTS - Silver with Black Leather and SE grille GONE* 1999 Seville STS - Pearl Red GONE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadillac Jim Posted August 1, 2011 Report Share Posted August 1, 2011 I would have the transmission serviced every 30,000 to 40,000 miles. At some point, you should have the transmission flushed and Dexron VI put in it. Any given transmission will have its remaining life multiplied by about 2.2 with Dexron VI over Dexron III. -- 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...
Ranger Posted August 2, 2011 Report Share Posted August 2, 2011 Not a risk taker Ranger, you gave it a week of carefree driving? I laughed when I read your response. Hehe, well it was sort of tongue in cheek Mike, but in reality I thought it probably was the only way to answer to that question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BUICK11 Posted August 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2011 Thanks to everyone for all the advise. Right now we have 1999 Riviera (Supercharged) 1989 Riviera 2008 STS and the 2001 DTS. The DTS is the highway cruiser. Only 2 drivers in the house so we have to many cars. I would miss the confort and power of the 4 door DTS. So I may just throw a Motor and Transmission warranty on it when GMPP expires the end of this year and take my time to get the XTS we want. We want one highway cruiser and the thought of considering a Lincoln is something I never thought I would say. Sure hope Cadillac does not forget about those of us that want a ROAD car. As info the transmission fluid was changed along with brake fluid and had new plugs installed along with air and fuel filter. Half case seal was repaired. Most likely occured because car sits in the garage a lot This car is a gem the more I talk about it I am just going to kick back. Once again Thanks to all for something to think about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
93SixtySpecial Posted August 2, 2011 Report Share Posted August 2, 2011 Just a thought here: I have a 99 Deville with 260k on it. It was well taken care of with transmission fluid, coolant, and oil all changed regularly. I have all documented history on the vehicle and the only major thing that has been done was all the suspension has been replaced. My point being that these cars are very capable of going many miles if well taken care, which you are obviously doing. -Dusty- 2006 Cadillac DTS Glacier Gold Tri-Coat with 175,000 miles 1993 Cadillac Sixty Special Gold Mist with 185,000 miles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted August 2, 2011 Report Share Posted August 2, 2011 Not a risk taker Ranger, you gave it a week of carefree driving? I laughed when I read your response. Hehe, well it was sort of tongue in cheek Mike, but in reality I thought it probably was the only way to answer to that question. 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...
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