QuestionHi,
I recently put all my savings into buying a 2001 Cadillac Catera with less then 48,000 miles on it. When I test drove it, the engine purred like a kitten, although there are the same quirks that I've seen so many others have had with it. Such as the power windows do not work, the radio turns on when the engine is off and after it runs for 40 minutes or so, if you shut it down, it won't start until it is cooled down.
I went to my friends local mechanic to address the engine issue. He realized I had a coolant leak and one of the fans isn't kicking on even though it worked. Long story short, they changed the heater valve, which seemed like it was the source of the problem. He also did an oil change and used a synthetic blend.
He was test driving it and suddenly the car shut down (not sure how long he had it running because it could have been related to the original issue). He was able start the car the next day, only now there is this HORRIBLE knocking noise in the engine.
Within one week I have no savings and no car. At this point I am looking at junking it for only $200. It's a gorgeous car and I need it really bad. I would appreciate ANY help you can offer.
Thank you,
Dorri
AnswerHi Dorri,
Yes these vehicles are nice, but mileage is not a good way to judge them. Low many short trips were employed can mean that possibly the engine never got the opportunity to warm up properly. Age plays a role on electric and electronics, not miles.
The other problem is going to a friend's mechanic. If this guy is a shade tree, chances are he has no clue about the inherent problems in Cadillacs and I do not know all the circumstances, but he could have cost you your engine.
I make it a point to tell people to stay from dealers because it has been my experience to see parts changing without ever fixing the problem as well as being out of their minds on repair costs.
I also recommend staying away from the guys working out of their garage. They commonly have no insurance and if they get bad reputation they don't care.
I suggest taking the vehicles to a reputable service center familiar with the type of vehicle being serviced.
By using a shade tree mechanic, you may think you are saving money, but commonly, they cost you money do to their lack of experience and you have no recourse if they screw the car up.
From your description of the engine not starting warm, I assume the engine would not crank until the engine cooled off. If you were to tap the starter with a hammer, you would find the starter would crank. The starter is most likely bad and needs replaced. Very common on older GMs.
The window problem without being at the vehicle, I would not guess on. There were many different problems that could relate to this symptom. Switches, broken wiring, and much more.
The engine: This vehicle has an aluminum engine. Why is this important? The engine cannot be overheated even a little bit!!! If above 220 degrees or the hot light comes on, if not shut down, the engine is literally melting!
These engines also had restriction issues in the cooling system. The first major event that happens from overheating is the head gaskets blow or worse yet, the block cracks.
If the engine is knocking and wasn't before, chances are, either the issue is caused by his extended test drive while overheating or he put the wrong oil in the vehicle and wiped out a bearing or two. At any rate, from your description, the engine needs ripped down to determine the damage. You cannot find a used engine for this car because 99 percent of them have been overheated. The only option is a new GM crate engine if still available at about $4,000 and you still don't know if the over heating problem was caused by the heater valve. You told me one of the fans was not working.
I have owned over 20 Cadillacs, including new ones. I love them, but I also know all their quirks. Buying one of these with no knowledge or having a competent technician is like in your case, a recipe for disaster.
I have moved up and went into the type of vehicle I know nothing about. I now have a Mercedes 500 S. I am a very astute auto tech and I know where to look for the information I need, however I would never let some shade tree mechanic even check the oil level.
If I had to, I would take it to a reputable service facility familiar with my car. I would pay a little more, but I know it would be repaired right.
The luxury vehicles are wonderful, but they are not like a typical Ford or Chevy. It costs money to fix them and the worst thing you could have done is spent all your money on the car without having reserve.
I am not one to tell someone to rig a car to unload it, however you are going to lose a ton of money, but hopefully you can get $2,000 instead of $200.
I do not know the damage this goof did to your engine. Call a GM dealer and see if they still sell a can of EOS (Engine Oil Supplement)and buy a can. If not, get some STP or Motor Honey from a parts store. It will take forever to add this to the engine at the oil filler, but make sure the whole can goes in. This may cushion the bearings. If a piston melted, the engine would be missing on that cylinder. If the knock can't be heard well, that is good.
The first thing is to determine if white smoke is coming out of the exhaust when engine is warm. That you can't hide and tells you the head gasket (s) are blown. Check the oil. See if the color is milky. If so, another sign of a blown head gasket.
See if there is anti freeze leaking from the engine under car. (Cracked block, head, head gasket). If all that looks OK and engine is not overheating, that is a good thing.
Next--sell it!!!!! If you can hide this long enough to get rid of it, good!
Explain that you know it needs a starter and you will discount $200 for that.
No, it is not nice, but the car had problems before you got it and it is just a hot potato.
I don't know if a bandaide will help it, but it is worth a try.
If you can get some money from it, buy a simple car. Far too many people lean lessons the hard way like you did. I truly believe from your description this so called mechanic had something to do with the demise of your engine. After all, the engine didn't knock before he got his hands on it did it?
I hope you can silence the knock and get some money out of the car.
Let me know what happens.
Good luck!
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