Cadillac Repair: 1999 STS getting hot, head gasket problem, head gaskets


Question
QUESTION: My 99 sts was starting to go over 1/2 way on the temp gauge.  a couple weeks later it was getting 5/8 then a check coolant message would come on and the temp would go to 3/4.  Head gasket replaced due to bad bolt, water pump replaced.  It will now get about 5/8 with the a/c on full blast.  is this normal?

ANSWER: Your running slighter hotter than normal. However, If the temp comes down while driving at highway speeds you may be OK. Did they replace BOTH head gaskets and replace the thermostat with the correct one per the manufacturers recommendation ?.

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QUESTION: The invoice shows many items labeled as gasket.  It states replaced head gaskets.  It lists that 20 head bolt inserts were used.  The thermostat was not listed as replaced on the invoice.  The car will get 5/8 hot +- a little bit at 70mph after about 10 minutes at highway speeds.  Seems the same highway or surface streets.  The work was done at the dealer.

Answer
I would install a new thermostat just to see what happens as it is due for a new one anyway.

If the heat still stays high, I still think that you still have a head gasket problem due to the excessive amount of bolt inserts used in order to be able to hopefully torque the head bolts to manufacturers specifications.

that is a lot of inserts to put in a single engine.