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What was wrong with the Cadillac Northstar engine?
While the Northstar engine was actually designed to be difficult to overheat, design flaws actually made it easy to overheat. As we’ll discuss further on, these engines burn a lot of oil which creates a lot of carbon buildup. This carbon buildup then causes increased engine temps which can blow the gasket too.
How many miles will a Cadillac Northstar engine last?
The Northstar engine is a long-lasting and reliable engine. A properly maintained one can easily last up to 100,000 miles before you need another tuneup related to oil leakage or blown head gaskets. Many people have even seen these engines exceed 200K without any major problems.
What year Northstar engines to avoid?
Cadillac DTS, Buic Lucerne and Cadillac STS were the last cars to use a Northstar engine, but generally it is felt that those models from 2002 onwards do not suffer as much with the head gasket issues that plague earlier models. If you have a model prior to this, however, the chances are your Cadillac could be at risk.
What year did Cadillac fix the Northstar head gasket problem?
Other places say 2002 the majority was fixed. Yet others say not until 2004 did the majority of the head gasket issues get “solved.”
Why is the Northstar V8 so bad?
The failures of the head gasket in the Northstar engines caused the engines to run very hot and overheat while driving, which in turn, made the problem worse and get worse faster than it normally would have.
Is the Northstar V8 reliable?
As long as you maintain the engine, particularly the cooling system, the Northstar is very reliable for hundreds of thousands of miles. Personally, I had 110,000 on a 1995 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe and it still drove like brand new.
Can you BulletProof a Northstar engine?
Our “BulletProof Kit” Contains the best parts to ensure your Northstar repair job is successful and durable. What’s included? With this kit you’re studding both critical areas of the aluminum engine block and you’re also adding the best head gaskets available on the market.
What year did Cadillacs stay away from?
Used Cars to Avoid Buying
| Model | Year(s) to Avoid | |
|---|---|---|
| Buick | Lucerne | 2011 |
| Cadillac | CT6 | 2017 |
| Cadillac | XT4 | 2019 |
| Cadillac | XTS | 2014 |
Is the Northstar v8 reliable?
Why is the Northstar v8 so bad?
Can you replace a Northstar engine?
Bottom line: You cannot replace a Northstar engine with any other type.
How much HP can a Northstar engine handle?
A unit in good condition should be able to handle another 100 hp.
Why did Cadillac come out with the Northstar engine?
Cadillac began producing new models to use the Northstar engine that he hoped would be direct competition against the luxury cars from BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus. With the production of the Northstar engine, with the consumers wondering if the Northstar engine was good or bad, the numbers did the talking.
Why did my Northstar engine overheat while driving?
The failures of the head gasket in the Northstar engines caused the engines to run very hot and overheat while driving, which in turn, made the problem worse and get worse faster than it normally would have.
When did the Northstar head gasket issue start?
The most common years of the head gasket issues for the Northstar engines are 19097-1999, with the 2000 change of Cadillac lengthening the head bolts severely reducing the prevalence of the issue in Northstar engine cars.
How big is the Northstar engine in a Pontiac?
In the basic form of the Northstar engine, the mechanism was designed to displace around 4.6 liters, with the supercharged version being a 4.4-liter engine. Different kinds of Northstar engines were used at Oldsmobile and in several high-class and luxury Pontiacs in the 2000s, making you wonder if the Northstar engine was really good or bad.