QuestionI was quoted a $6500 repair this afternoon to replace head gaskes and time sert for my 1999 Cadillac Seville with 60,000 miles on it.
Since last summer about every 2-3 weeks the coolant will be all over the garage space. So I took it to three dealers in October of last year (it's now January) and they kept it over night and ran tests and could not find any leak. At one dealer I had the water pump replaced.
It is not leaking oil and coolant, but they said it didn't matter because they ran another test on it with carbons or hydrocarbons and it was high - they said that test indicates that the head gasket needs replacing - they also quoted $10,000.00 for a new engine rebuild.
I don't have any idea what to do. I drive typically 5,000 miles a year, and it's paid for. I just hope that this is a correct diagnosis.
Any advice appreciated before I take it into the shop on Monday Jan 21
AnswerHi R,
Unfortunately the Caddy Northstar engine has alot of problems...if it doesn't leak oil from the main bearing area the threads are pulling for the head bolts and causing the head gasket to leak. I have heard good results by changing the head gaskets and installing Timeserts but as you have found out it is costly as is replacing the engine which is another option. All the head bolts need Timeserts or you run the risk of another failure after the head gaskets are replaced.
Since you have been driving with this condition for 4 months now a first option might be to have the cooling system flushed, replace the thermostat and install 3 seal tabs and see what happens. The thermostat might not be opening enough or sticking closed at times and it is recommended that the seal tabs be installed to prevent small leaks from happening. Maybe that will take care of the problem.
If however the shop determines that there is a head gasket failure then these might be your options. Go to the Caddy dealer especially if they do alot of your service work and see if they will offer any assistance because of your low mileage. If so then it might be worth having the repairs done. If no assistance is offered then it might be worth considering what trade value it might have towards another vehicle. If the car is in really nice condition, you like it and feel it might be your last vehicle then get it repaired.
One thing you can do is go to a larger parts store like Napa and get a combustion leak detector kit and test the gaskets yourself. Basically what you do is pour a blue liquid inside a tube with a stopper on one end and a suction bulb on the other. As the engine is warming up this is placed over the hole where you removed the radiator cap. As the engine warms up the vapors are drawn into the tube and if exhaust gasses are present the liquid will turn yellow. Or you can squeeze the bulb and draw vapor into the liquid with the bulb. The thing you don't want to happen is get any antifreeze mixed into the test liquid or you will need to dump it out and start over with fresh liquid.
So...it is decision time and trust in your mechanics diagnosis to help you decide what to do. Hope this helps. Bill
