First Cadillac, 1996 Deville, any problems?

[rcool217]

Just bought a 1996 Deville with 144,000 miles on it... if I can't get the maintenance records what do you suggest looking for or doing imediately? I want to be able to drive it a long time.

Also I only paid $3200, should this be a red flag? It is in excellent condition other than the under-hood latch being broke... btw is this a part I can easily replace?

[TDK]

96northstardevil,

You got the right color fer sure!

I bought my '94 DCS Deville Concours Sedan at 82,500-miles for $3,750 from my company and put another 100,000-miles on it for virtually nothing.

There are a lot of good common sense suggestions in this forum, but one of the best, low cost to-do's might be to change the coolant - if you don't know the history. I believe your car takes the green (silicated coolant) but ask Scotty / Body by Fischer.

I would also drain/refill (not flush!) the tranny and of course the engine oil. There are possibly some other items that can conk out (on ANY 10+ year old car) or perhaps make you wonder (plugs, wires, etc) - but they are no biggee by comparison and will not usually create other issues.

I melted a hood latch/cable (let's all pay attention to the dang ground cable too - while jumpin OK ) in another car some years ago, but it was no big deal to replace. Actually, I cut of the melted part of the cable housing and re-crimped the housing support.

The fun NorthStar maintenance is the WOT in 2nd gear (up to max and let it back off a few times) kinda like use it or lose it therapy. Personally, I do the WOT's and a baseline up to 110 or so over a fixed-distance Interstate entry ramp, (just be prepared to pull over and have a reasonable story...)

Congrats!

[adallak]

Welcome to the board! The original coolant for 1996 was green, so no matter what is inside, drain it as TDK said and refill with 50/50 green Preston and distilled water mix. The easiest way to drain is by disconnecting the lower radiator hose. Before filling it up, put 2-3 tubes of Bar's Leaks golden seal for $1.44 from Wal-Mart into the lower radiator hose.

[CadiKing]

[quote name='adallak' date='Feb 9 2006, 11:02 PM' post='70273'

...The original coolant for 1996 was green...

adallak,

Do you know if the '97 uses green also?

thank you,

[BodybyFisher]

NO

The original coolant for the 96 was DEXCOOL not GREEN... Verify that it is STILL DEXCOOL and flush and refill with DEXCOOL, not GREEN. That is UNLESS it was filled with green at some point. Since you do not know the last time it was drained and refilled its best to change it now. Also, put in 6 cooling supplement tablets in the upper hose. It has been said to put them in the lower hose, but its way to messy and you loose too much coolant. Crush them first.

Beginning in 1996 all Northstars left the factory with DEXCOOL.

Attached is a photo of the cooling supplement

[BodybyFisher]

Do a search here under GREEN and DEXCOOL

Green must be changed every 2 years or 24K miles

Dexcool must be changed every 5 years or 50K miles (I think), correct me if I am wrong (it might be 100K miles).

If GREEN was EVER used in a DEXCOOL car, you must follow the GREEN change cycle of 24/24K miles from that point forward as the GREEN can not be successfully removed from the block.

Do a search here under DEXCOOL, ignore any negative statements you hear about it, the guru never had anything bad to say about dexcool, just follow the recommended change cycle and use the cooling supplement.

[adallak]

NO

The original coolant for the 96 was DEXCOOL not GREEN... Verify that it is STILL DEXCOOL and flush and refill with DEXCOOL, not GREEN. That is UNLESS it was filled with green at some point. Since you do not know the last time it was drained and refilled its best to change it now. Also, put in 6 cooling supplement tablets in the upper hose. It has been said to put them in the lower hose, but its way to messy and you loose too much coolant. Crush them first.

Beginning in 1996 all Northstars left the factory with DEXCOOL.

Attached is a photo of the cooling supplement

For some reason I remembered 1997 as the first year the Northstars came with Dexcool... Sorry for the confusion.

[BodybyFisher]

No biggie, I only know it because I have a 96

[stefank]

My '96 SLS also has Dexcool from new.

Stefan

[PAUL T]

Check the diagnostic codes. Key "on"(engine off) press and hold the "off" & "warmer" buttons on the climate control panel. Codes will display in the message center. Be ready with a pencil & paper because they flash quickly. When the display says "pcm?" it is done. Turn key off to get out of diagnostics. Post the codes and we will decipher them for you. Any codes showing can give you a heads up on potential problems.

[winterset]

Let's remember also that the 1996 had the fuel rail recall. lift the hood, and if you have a black nylon (plastic) fuel tubes leading to your intake, you need to take the car to the Caddy dealer to have the fuel rail replaced (part & labor free) with the stainless steel rails. - claim was the plastic rail got britle & caused engine fires.

My advice also:

- don't overfill oil - check level only when hot - I check 5 minutes after turning off engine.

- WOT helps oil consumption - and you will use oil, & it's normal (1qt in 1500 mi)

- don't use additatives in your fuel tank - EVER

- you have 2 grease fittings to grease on your front end (if original) tie rod & ball joint - extra greese will ooze out of a drain molded in the rubber boot.

- if you are handy, & you didn't have the fuel rail recall yet, you might want to remove the EGR & clean bofore the fuel rail is replaced, as once the stainless is installed, it's more difficult to clean the EGR.

every 2 years or so, I get that infamous (Service Emissions - System), and it is always the dirty EGR.

- clean your battery terminals often, use terminal cleaner & remove the green & use dielectric grease. the heat of the NS + side mount terminals = batteries to leak at an above average rate. I hear to replace the cable is a pain. I cleaned once & if I didn't it would have been bad.

don't overfill the antifreeze resovuir tank if you replace the radiator fluid, don't flush & use the premix

- don't use fix-a-flat like products in the chrome rims

- the trunk pulldown motor/assembly is weak. never overfill the trunk & use it to squash down suitcases or anything.

I just remember something else about my '96 that I never mentioned. the weatherstripping on the front doors (in the front fender attached to the door edge) falls off alot. I know it fell off because I hear wind noise when I drive above 55. as soon as I put it back on, the wind noise go's away.

transmission is bulletproof.

I have had mine 10 years, & very happy.

[rcool217]

Thank you for all of your replies. My car currently has green coolant in it so I guess I need to flush it and replace with new. Is there a drain plug or do I have to disconnect the lower radiator hose? Also how much coolant should I buy and what is the best kind to use?

The only message I get sometimes in the DIC is a "Service brake fluid switch" light that stays on about 30 seconds and goes back off. When it comes on it lights up the brake warning light. The rotors, pads and fluid look fine, could the switch be dirty or bad?

[Ranger]

There should be a drain plug on the lower left side of the radiator that is darn near impossible to get to. Radiator hose is easier. Just remember, you have to change it every two years now, no mater what you use. Two gallons of coolant will make 4 gallons. One might be enough but may be close. I'd buy 2 gallons of coolant and two gallons of distilled water.

If your brake fluid level is ok, then it is probably a bad switch or connection, but check the level first.

Here is some good reading that will confirm what everyone has been saying.

http://www.cadillacforums.com/cadillac-tech.html#noil

[Hellen Back]

I just purchased a 96 Sevile SLS V8 Northstar...excellent condition, it belonged to the grandfather of an aquaintance, clean clean clean, the ashtrays were NEVER used. I've been here checking out all your comments and suggestions on this year and make caddi, thanks so much for all the advice, I've printed out some of the info to give to my mechanic to give him some insight into the specifics for this model when I take it in for a tune up etc...My friends call it my "Granny Caddi" but it runs sooooooooo smooth and looks great! I do need to replace the upholstry for the drivers seat and I'm looking for a good source for both that and a good carcover...any suggestions?

[BodybyFisher]

Good Luck, great car, it sounds like you got a good one. Your engine originally took DEXCOOL its been almost 20 years, if green was ever used you must use the 2 year change schedule even though Dexcool calls for 5 years. For safety sake use a 2 year coolant change schedule. Lots of info and good people here to help. Welcome aboard!