QuestionI have a water leak in my 1992 Cadillac Eldorado. I had a mechanic to take a look at it and he said it was coming from a aluminum hose or pipe. In order to get to the pipe you must take off the starter. And I think it runs from the radiator to the motor. And I dont know if this has any thing to do with it but my heat is not working but my A/C still is. And sometimes my car wont stay cranked unless i pour water in the radiator. Please write back with help. Thank You.
AnswerHello,
I have some really bad news for you. I am not familiar with the exact component you are referring to in regards to the leak, but you have much bigger problems. Your leak could even be caused from a cracked engine block or a blown head gasket.
As for is the coolant being low in the radiator affecting the heat-absolutely! You should not have been putting water in the radiator and should have use anti-freeze/coolant. Water boils at 212 degrees F. Coolant raises the boiling point over 230 degrees f.
If you look in my archives on the subject of this poorly designed all aluminum engine, you can never run the engine hot. With using water, this means over 212 degrees f and higher with 50/50 anti freeze.
I can safely say from your description and my experience, you have catastrophic damage in the engine. From your description, it sounds like you need an engine. Even if you find the leak is not a cracked block, the damage done to this engine from overheating means severe problems and the repair is far more than the value of the car.
There is only one option you have because changing head gaskets and possibly heads is more in labor and parts than you should spend because the engine has internal problems,
The only possible option is to replace the engine with a new Cadillac engine which would run you close to $5,000.
You will not find a good used engine in the junkyard because a majority of them have been overheated as well.
This is an engine that cannot overheat ever!!!!!
Cadillac started with the aluminum engines in 1982 on the Eldos and Sevilles and they used them in the Deville, Allante as well. They never gave the driver the warning the engine could not be over heated. The aluminum engines were the 4.1, 4.5, 4,9 and north star and they are still used today.
They run good and have lots of power but unlike a Ford or Chevy cast iron engine, their downfall was overheating. within the last two months on this site I answered about 10 questions pertaining to this issue.
In the event you find the immediate leak which is either a cracked block or a blown head gasket, as I am telling you and your description sounds like it has overheated, it does not pay to go any further on repairs.
Please remember, I have no dog in this race. I am not getting paid to fix your car nor am I selling parts. If you described your problem to a Cadillac tech as we;; as the radiator being low, you added only water he would tell you the same. The engine is history!
As I said, you would not like my answer, but it is what it is,
Good luck!
http://www.autotheftexpert.com
