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bad head gaskets


mikeal1892

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You owned this car 18 months. It should have been changed before you got it its not your fault, it was too late by the time you bought the car.

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

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ITs not a big deal. :( I tried to change the post before you seen it :(

Sorry

I had went back and looked over somethings. So I blew up its my fault.

Yes it seems to have been to late by then and then I but 40 k miles on it :( I was so in tune with the suspension issue at that time.

So what do you think about not doing the time sert if it will torque back down ok ?

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Past experiences show that retorquing without benefit of timeserst means that you may only get 1 year out of the repair before the head gasket blows again.

Insist on timeserts, do a search on this forum. If the dealer balks at the suggestion, then go elsewhere.

Any repair not using timeserts on a Northstar is simply a temporary fix.

1989 FWD Fleetwood, Silver

1995 STS Crimson Pearl on Black leather

1997 STS Diamond White

1999 STS Crimson Pearl

2001 STS Silver

2003 STS, Crimson Pearl

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I will second Ted's post - do not let them replace the headgaskets without Timeserting the block. My case was unique in that the tech. doing the work didn't know what he was doing - he most likely did not run the installation tool all the way through the Timesert to lock it into place. When the head bolts were torqued down, the Timeserts were fractured and did not hold. When properly installed, the Timeserts make the engine stronger than when it left the factory.

Kevin
'93 Fleetwood Brougham
'05 Deville
'04 Deville
2013 Silverado Z71

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I will third Ted's post - do not let them replace the headgaskets without Timeserting the block.

When I purchased my STS in '97 it had a burned exhaust valve. I removed the head and replaced the valve.

I did NOT use Timeserts as I did not know anything about them or this Discussion Board.

I did however, very carefully install the head bolts/torque as per the manual.

In less than two years three head bolts had pulled. All the head bolts torqued correctly at assembly.

It was later that they pulled.

I cannot stress enough the importance of installing the Timeserts now.

Without the Timeserts, it's a gamble with poor odds.

Barry

2008 STS V8
2016 Colorado Z71
1970 Corvette LT-1 Coupe

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Past experiences show that retorquing without benefit of timeserst means that you may only get 1 year out of the repair before the head gasket blows again.

Insist on timeserts, do a search on this forum. If the dealer balks at the suggestion, then go elsewhere.

Any repair not using timeserts on a Northstar is simply a temporary fix.

I will second Ted's post - do not let them replace the headgaskets without Timeserting the block. My case was unique in that the tech. doing the work didn't know what he was doing - he most likely did not run the installation tool all the way through the Timesert to lock it into place. When the head bolts were torqued down, the Timeserts were fractured and did not hold. When properly installed, the Timeserts make the engine stronger than when it left the factory.

I will third Ted's post - do not let them replace the headgaskets without Timeserting the block.

When I purchased my STS in '97 it had a burned exhaust valve. I removed the head and replaced the valve.

I did NOT use Timeserts as I did not know anything about them or this Discussion Board.

I did however, very carefully install the head bolts/torque as per the manual.

In less than two years three head bolts had pulled. All the head bolts torqued correctly at assembly.

It was later that they pulled.

I cannot stress enough the importance of installing the Timeserts now.

Without the Timeserts, it's a gamble with poor odds.

Barry

Ok, I will make sure they do timesert it then ! It did not sound like a good idea to me at the time either.

Michael -

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Past experiences show that retorquing without benefit of timeserst means that you may only get 1 year out of the repair before the head gasket blows again.

Insist on timeserts, do a search on this forum. If the dealer balks at the suggestion, then go elsewhere.

Any repair not using timeserts on a Northstar is simply a temporary fix.

I will second Ted's post - do not let them replace the headgaskets without Timeserting the block. My case was unique in that the tech. doing the work didn't know what he was doing - he most likely did not run the installation tool all the way through the Timesert to lock it into place. When the head bolts were torqued down, the Timeserts were fractured and did not hold. When properly installed, the Timeserts make the engine stronger than when it left the factory.

I will third Ted's post - do not let them replace the headgaskets without Timeserting the block.

When I purchased my STS in '97 it had a burned exhaust valve. I removed the head and replaced the valve.

I did NOT use Timeserts as I did not know anything about them or this Discussion Board.

I did however, very carefully install the head bolts/torque as per the manual.

In less than two years three head bolts had pulled. All the head bolts torqued correctly at assembly.

It was later that they pulled.

I cannot stress enough the importance of installing the Timeserts now.

Without the Timeserts, it's a gamble with poor odds.

Barry

Ok, I will make sure they do timesert it then ! It did not sound like a good idea to me at the time either.

Michael -

Hello again,

I went to the dealership today to take some photos for you all :) They called me around noon and told me that it was out. The EGR tube was broke off and looked like it had been leaking for a long time. Would this effect my gas milage ?They also expressed concerns on the transmission fluid being almost black. OH and This This job on the head gaskets comes with a 12 months 12k mile warrenty ! I'm not going to do the synthic trans fluid. I'm going to have the flushed it and its getting new filters and a gasket. I told the machine must be clean ;) And the Engine the indside of the valves were so clean I was very pleased ! And everything looked good in that area of course. but the head gaskets have been leaking for a long time you could see this on the sides. How this happen so quickly was a combo of poor chioces I had made. I bought that prestone coolant ad and it had just cloated and plugged up everything the coolant ran through for the most part. They told me I could come out and spend as much time as I like watching and learning the job... HEHE I just have to many things going on anymore.[attachmentid=2462]

IT will only allow me to only put one picture ?

Michael - :)

post-3268-1145304287_thumb.jpg

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If the engine was not getting EGR due to a broken pipe, gas mileage would most definitely be affected. If you had hesitation on acceleration off idle, that was due to the lack of EGR flow as well.

Do not have the transmission flushed....regardless on how clean they tell you the machine is. You must drop the pan to clean the crud that settles in the pan anyway so just drain and refill.

Kevin
'93 Fleetwood Brougham
'05 Deville
'04 Deville
2013 Silverado Z71

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If the engine was not getting EGR due to a broken pipe, gas mileage would most definitely be affected. If you had hesitation on acceleration off idle, that was due to the lack of EGR flow as well.

Do not have the transmission flushed....regardless on how clean they tell you the machine is. You must drop the pan to clean the crud that settles in the pan anyway so just drain and refill.

I feel the same way you do , but heres the thing its almost black and from what I understand just dropping the pan on it will not get all the old fluids out and it will just mix ? hmmm The pan is coming off no matter what cause I must have a new seal not really but it seaps some :D

Michael-

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If you don't contribute you have a 60K limit, contributors have a 100K picture limit. That is a main reason I contribute besides wanting to help, Mike

My tranny is SEEPING all over my new driveway, I have a new pan gasket that I must replace ASAP

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

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If you don't contribute you have a 60K limit, contributors have a 100K picture limit. That is a main reason I contribute besides wanting to help, Mike

My tranny is SEEPING all over my new driveway, I have a new pan gasket that I must replace ASAP

I sent the last post on that thread for contributing but I never heard anything.

Michael -

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Here is where you contribute:

http://caddyinfo.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=7484

You can do it through PayPal

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

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Mikeal, dont beat yourself up too much about the coolant. I got my car at 48,000 mi. and promptly changed coolant(w/tabs) and did a trans. flush w/pan drop.

I still had a head gasket go bad at appx 112,000. (rear bank) I also had a couple of bad valves.

Sometimes shat just happens no matter what you do or dont do.

Never thought I'd enjoy playing Russian Roulette but the Caddies are additcting,

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Here is where you contribute:

http://caddyinfo.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=7484

You can do it through PayPal

Thank-you Mikey . I'm now a contributing memeber :)

Michael

Mikeal, dont beat yourself up too much about the coolant. I got my car at 48,000 mi. and promptly changed coolant(w/tabs) and did a trans. flush w/pan drop.

I still had a head gasket go bad at appx 112,000. (rear bank) I also had a couple of bad valves.

Sometimes shat just happens no matter what you do or dont do.

Never thought I'd enjoy playing Russian Roulette but the Caddies are additcting,

I totally agree with you! Theres just something about a Cadillac! Some of the changes into more a sporty feel is nice but I truely loved the lines on the 94-96 Devilles I had both a 1994 and a1996.

Michael-

Here is where you contribute:

http://caddyinfo.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=7484

You can do it through PayPal

Thank-you Mikey . I'm now a contributing memeber :)

Michael

Mikeal, dont beat yourself up too much about the coolant. I got my car at 48,000 mi. and promptly changed coolant(w/tabs) and did a trans. flush w/pan drop.

I still had a head gasket go bad at appx 112,000. (rear bank) I also had a couple of bad valves.

Sometimes shat just happens no matter what you do or dont do.

Never thought I'd enjoy playing Russian Roulette but the Caddies are additcting,

I totally agree with you! Theres just something about a Cadillac! Some of the changes into more a sporty feel is nice but I truely loved the lines on the 94-96 Devilles I had both a 1994 and a1996.

Michael-

Heres some more pics now that I can add them !

If the engine was not getting EGR due to a broken pipe, gas mileage would most definitely be affected. If you had hesitation on acceleration off idle, that was due to the lack of EGR flow as well.

Do not have the transmission flushed....regardless on how clean they tell you the machine is. You must drop the pan to clean the crud that settles in the pan anyway so just drain and refill.

The dealer that worked on your STS did they offer a warrenty ?

Michael-

post-3268-1145316593_thumb.jpg

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Good Mike, you are now an official member. Now we will give you correct answers to your questions! :lol:

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

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They told me I could come out and spend as much time as I like watching and learning the job..

Michael - :)

WOW, I'd be watching that job from start to finish. My dealer won't let you anywhere near the service bays.

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They told me I could come out and spend as much time as I like watching and learning the job..

Michael - :)

WOW, I'd be watching that job from start to finish. My dealer won't let you anywhere near the service bays.

We have been buying parts from them for 11 years and a the owner and myself share a very good friend. If that makes any sense... And Ive spent alot of time in that type of setting to...lol I'll prolley check in on it tomorrow.

Michael-

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The dealer that worked on your STS did they offer a warrenty ?

Michael-

The previous owner had the work performed - according to him, they would not stand behind the work. I wouldn't let them change the spark plug in my lawnmower....

Kevin
'93 Fleetwood Brougham
'05 Deville
'04 Deville
2013 Silverado Z71

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The dealer that worked on your STS did they offer a warrenty ?

Michael-

The previous owner had the work performed - according to him, they would not stand behind the work. I wouldn't let them change the spark plug in my lawnmower....

Thats aweful ! Thats not even right !

Michael- :(

He should have took them to court on the matter. I would have...

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Its almost done I went to vist her today. It should be done tonight or tomorrow morning ! Its so lonely without her around. :( Its sad when your car is about your only enjoyment...

Michael -

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That is VERY fast!

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

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That is VERY fast!

The man doing it is in his 50's hes quick. And he goes over things with me and talkes about that "what ifs" So we shall see. Im kinda looking at an 02 STS Black on BLack though. I like black outside but I'm not so sure about on the inside.. My 2nd caddy was that way.

Michael- :)

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I like the black on black also

post-2998-1145396625.jpg

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

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