nascaddy Posted July 31, 2005 Report Share Posted July 31, 2005 I am hoping somebody can help. I have a 2000 STS with 63,000 miles. I really love the car. The problem started a couple months when the check coolant level message appeared, and the apparent loss of coolant. We took to dealership and they checked and replaced one of the hoses. Several weeks later the temperature gauge began moving slightly over half. A cause for concern since it never ran above half before. Discovered it was losing coolant again, so back to the dealership. This time they pressure checked and replaced the cap at the coolant reservoir. Several days later while driving home from work my check coolant level message appeared and while stopped at a traffic light as the gauge began rising the message changed to engine hot AC off. I pulled into a parking lot called my husband. He added coolant and drove the last mile home. When we got it home we found a leak in the radiator on the passenger side. We had the car towed to the dealership (18 miles). They checked and replaced the radiator. I picked the car up and on my way home while driving up an incline the temperature began to rise between 1/2 and 2/3. Once I began traveling on level ground temp returned about 1/2. Same thing happened the next day so my husband took it back to the dealership. On his way the temp began to rise and engine hot AC off message appears. Temp gauge at about 3/4 but never in the red. The dealership pressure checked and found a blown head gasket. All repairs up to and including the radiator were covered under extended warranty. Dealership calls the warranty company to get authorization to make repairs and they send out an adjuster. The warranty company denied the claim because adjuster claims damage was caused by overheating. The dealership says that they cannot say with any certainty that the damage was caused by overheating. The warranty says it does not cover damage caused by overheating, rust or corrosion but it does say that repairs needed that are a result of a covered part will be performed. I believe that the blown head gasket is what caused the temp to rise. First of all what is overheating? I consider anything over 1/2 on the gauge to be hot. Second can anyone explain what could cause a blown head gasket. I did not drive my car without coolant or in overheated condition. I need help dealing with the warranty company so I can get my car fixed and not be stuck with a $3000 + repair bill. Desperate and carless. Thanks Nadeen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Logan Posted July 31, 2005 Report Share Posted July 31, 2005 I would have to fight the warranty company. The Northstar is designed to protect itself from overheating. It will actually shut off 1/2 the engine if the car get hot enough. Logan Diagnostic LLC www.airbagcrash.com www.ledfix.com www.ledfix.com/yukontaillightrepair.html www.ledfix.com/ledreplacements.html www.ledfix.com/j42385toolrental.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted August 1, 2005 Report Share Posted August 1, 2005 It overheated BECAUSE of the head gasket. The warranty company is just trying to dump the liability on you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adallak Posted August 1, 2005 Report Share Posted August 1, 2005 You did everything right! Watched the guage and actually DID NOT let the engine overheat. The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhall Posted August 1, 2005 Report Share Posted August 1, 2005 Check the policy and see if Binding Arbitration is used to resolve disputes. This means of resolution is likely in the policy as opposed to using litigation in a court of law. You have a statement by the Dealer that is in your favor. Most insurance companies will not let go of any funds easily. Take them to task on the following: Until the engine heads are removed, nobody can state the cause of failure. While overheating may be the reason, pulled head bolts or simple gasket failure can also be just as likely. The final decision on the cause of damage needs to come from a factory authorized dealer using a mechanic that is certified on the repair of the platform (engine). The warranty company may require the car to be examined by a dealer of their choice, but make sure they use an authorized dealer / mechanic as described above. The final decision on the technical cause of failure can not be left to the warranty company since they are not certified in the examination of the engine. Again - check the policy on who makes the final decisions and if they can make a decision without qualified input. If all else fails, go for binding arbitration using a written statement from your dealer. Good luck and keep us posted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill K Posted August 1, 2005 Report Share Posted August 1, 2005 If all else fails try this. I wish I had given it a try before paying for a new head gasket. http://www.rxauto.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjtjwdad Posted August 1, 2005 Report Share Posted August 1, 2005 Nadeen, I'm courious, if you don't mind me asking, who is the warranty company? Sounds like you didn't do anything wrong to me. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motor_car Posted August 1, 2005 Report Share Posted August 1, 2005 Nadeen, from your post it seems to me that the dealer is not very co-operative, they don't want to get involved or maybe they (the mechanic?) don't have much prior experience with Northstar? Work WITH them to create an airtight case for you...There is a lot of info on this board about head gaskets, overheating, a few people on this board had similar repair done, albeit at much higher mileage.... BillK, you try that thing first and let us know how it worked, will you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nascaddy Posted August 1, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2005 Thank you all for the great info. You all have reinforced what I was feeling. Tomorrow, I am meeting with the dealership so that we can contact the warranty company. I look forward to speaking with the "adjuster". My guess is he knows very little about the Northstar engine. I intend to pursue this to the end. I will keep you posted. I look forward to getting my car back. Even with this problem it's still a great car and a pleasure to drive. Thanks again. Nadeen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjayzway Posted August 1, 2005 Report Share Posted August 1, 2005 Whatever you do, stand your ground. Let them know you have a ton of resources, and will bring it all to the table! Big Jay Life is too short to grow up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAUL T Posted August 1, 2005 Report Share Posted August 1, 2005 Just remember the car is designed to go 50 miles in the desert with no antifreeze resulting in no engine damage. There is alot of info on this in the archives. I would say the most likely culprit is a pulled head bolt or bolts. Stand your ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scotty Posted August 1, 2005 Report Share Posted August 1, 2005 Just remember the car is designed to go 50 miles in the desert with no antifreeze resulting in no engine damage. There is alot of info on this in the archives. I would say the most likely culprit is a pulled head bolt or bolts. Stand your ground. GOOD POINT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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