1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

CUSTOMER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE DOWN ROAD, ALL OF A SUDDEN COMING UP TO A STOPLIGHT CAR SUDDENLY DIED, AT THE SAME TIME WHITE SMOKE CAME BILLOWING OUT THE BACK OF THE CAR, IT CAUSED A TRAFFIC HAZARD IN WHICH NOBODY COULD SEE HER CAR, SHE WAS REARENDED, AS WELL AS THE GUY THAT REARENDED HER. THE OCCUPANT OF THE VEHICLE THAT REARENDED HER ENDED UP GETTING HIS NOSE BROKEN WHEN HE HIT HIS STEERING WHEEL. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REAR HEAD BOLTS HAD PULLED FROM THE BLOCK CAUSING THE HEAD TO SEPARATE FROM THE BLOCK OF THE VEHICLE, QUOTED $4500 TO REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT WARRANTY REPAIR BECAUSE IT IS A NORTHSTAR ENGINE. VEHICLE THEN BROUGHT TO ME TO GET IT REPAIRED. *TR

Mileage: 131,423

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL DUE TO THE ENGINE OVERHEATING. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION FOR A FEW MINUTES. DURING THE FAILURES, THE ENGINE OVERHEAT LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FREEZE PLUG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEAD GASKETS WERE WARPED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

Mileage: 110,000

ONE NIGHT MY FAMILY AND I WERE DRIVING MY 1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE HEATER COIL BURST WITHOUT WARNING, THE HEATER WAS NOT ON AND THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING HOT. THE CAR FILLED WITH STEAM MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE ANYTHING, AND HOT SCALDING WATER AND ANTI-FREEZE POURED OUT FROM UNDER THE DASH BOARD RIGHT OVER THE GAS PEDDLE AND SCALDED MY RIGHT FOOT CAUSING SERIOUS BURNS AND LEAVING HORRIBLE SCARS. LUCKILY WE WERE TRAVELING ON A COUNTRY ROAD WITH LITTLE TO NO TRAFFIC. I AM RELIEVED THAT ME NOR MY FAMILY WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED OTHER THAN MY FOOT BEING BURNED. CAR DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND NOTHING WAS DONE. I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS MATTER THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO AND HAVE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT IT. *TR

I HAVE A 1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE THAT I AM PUTTING THE 3RD ENGINE INTO THE CAR DUE TO A HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. MY PARENTS HAVE THE SAME CAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE READ CLASSIFIEDS THAT CITIZENS WHO OWN THE SAME CAR ARE FORCED TO GIVE THE CAR AWAY BECAUSE OF THIS HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. ANYONE WHO CAN SERVICE THIS CAR (INCLUDING A CADILLAC DEALERSHIP) HAS ADMITTED THAT IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR, AND THAT THERE IS NO FINANCIALLY REASONABLE REPAIR, AND REPLACING THE ENGINE IS USUALLY THE ONLY RECOMMENDATION. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT CADILLAC RECOGNIZED THIS PROBLEM, AND MADE A CORRECTION TO THESE NORTH STAR ENGINES IN THE YEAR 2000. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A CADILLAC BLUNDER THAT IS PROVEN COSTLY, BUT THE COST IS ONLY BEING ABSORBED BY THE CUSTOMER. I AM ALL FOR BEING ACCOUNTABLE, BUT HAVING THE CHOICES OF PUTTING A 3RD ENGINE IN THE CAR OR JUNKING WOULD BE DEEMED AS EXTREME. WHY IS CADILLAC NOT RECALLING THIS PARTICULAR YEAR CARS ENGINE? I AM SURE THAT ANY RESEARCH THAT YOU CONDUCT WILL SHOW AN ABUNDANCE OF THIS PROBLEM. WHAT PROTECTION DOES THE CONSUMER HAVE IN THIS REGARDS? *TR

Mileage: 92,000

COMPONENT: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE DETAILS: THE FAILURE OCCURS IN NORMAL USE. THE CONSEQUENCE IS POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE. THE DEALER HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR THIS OBVIOUS AND COMMON MANUFACTURING FLAW IN THE NORTHSTAR ENGINE. THE SITUATION, BECAUSE THIS IS THE SAME ENGINEER IS THE SAME THAT IS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 99086: DATE: 12/01/1999 COMPONENT NAME: 061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE NHTSA #: 99086 SUMMARY: SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS MAY BECOME LOOSE AND CAUSE COOLANT LEAKS AND POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE. *TR

Mileage: 72,000

THE FAILURE OCCURS IN NORMAL USE. THE CONSEQUENCE IS POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE. THE DEALER HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR THIS OBVIOUS AND COMMON MANUFACTURING FLAW IN THE NORTHSTAR ENGINE. THE SITUATION, BECAUSE THIS IS THE SAME ENGINEER IS THE SAME THAT IS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 99086: DATE: 12/01/1999 COMPONENT NAME: 061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE NHTSA #: 99086 SUMMARY: SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE CYLINDER HEAD BOLTS MAY BECOME LOOSE AND CAUSE COOLANT LEAKS AND POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE. *TR

Mileage: 119,000

1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE CONCOURS. NORTHSTAR 4.6L V8 I HAVE MADE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE OIL CONSUMPTION OF THIS VEHICLES ENGINE. ONLY TO RECEIVE THE BRUSH OFF FROM THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT GM'S ALLOWABLE NORTHSTAR CONSUMPTION. THIS ENGINE IS CONSUMING 4 QTS PER MONTH ON AVERAGE AND IS NOT ACCEPTABLE IN MY BOOK. WHAT DO I DO NOW ? NO MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY OR EXTENDED LEFT TO HELP AND ONLY 80,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE. I DEFINITELY BELIEVE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS A LEMON FROM THE GET GO AND THAT GM KNOWS THESE ENGINES HAVE PROBLEMS. I'M TRYING TO BUY AMERICAN MADE PRODUCTS BUT WITH PROBLEMS LIKE THIS IT'S GETTING DIFFICULT TO DO THIS. HOPING I CAN GET SOME RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

HAVING MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE FROM THE DEXCOOL COOLANT . AFTER WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED THEN THE RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, DAYS AFTER PROBLEM WITH HEAD GASKETS WERE THE COOLANT LEAKED ONTO THE MANIFOLD, AND ENGINE RAN HOT. *AK

Mileage: 94,000

ATTENTION: MS. DENISE [email protected] AFTER REVIEWING THE INFORMATION SERVICE BULLETIN SENT TO ME I AM UNDER MORE CONVINCED THAT THIS ENGINE IS DEFECTIVE. I HAVE HAD ENGINE COOLING ALSO HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION EVERY SINCE 57.000 MILES,I MENTION IT TO THE SERVICE ADVISOR AND NO ONE EVER TOLD ABOUT THESE BULLETINS NO ONE MENTION THAT THEIR WAS A PROBLEM WITH ENGINE OR TELL ME ABOUT THE , FWD RTV SEALANT PROCEDURE WITH CURRENT OIL DISTRIBUTION PLATE OR THE RUSTED HEATER PIPES THAT GO THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK THAT CARRIES THE COOLANT. ALSO LEAKS IN THE CAR CAUSING FUMES WHICH ARE TOXIC. I MUST HAVE 20- 1 GALLON ANTI- FREEZE BOTTLES IN MY GARAGE. I CARRY AT LEAST 6 QUARTS MOTOR OIL WITH ME, THE OVER 75,000 MILE OIL. I USE MORE OIL AND ANTI- FREEZE THAN GAS.2006 CONSUMER ACTION HANDBOOK STATES AND I QUOTE" SOMETIMES A MANUFACTURER MAKES A DESIGN OR PRODUCTION MISTAKE ON A MOTOR VEHICLE. IF DEALERS REPORT A NUMBER OF COMPLAINT ABOUT A CERTAIN PART OR VEHICLE, THE MANUFACTURER MAY ALLOW DEALERS TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AT NO COST TO YOU EVEN IF THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. A SERVICE BULLETIN NOTIFIES THE DEALER OF THE PROBLEM AND HOW TO SOLVE IT. BECAUSE THESE FREE REPAIRS ARE NOT PUBLICIZED, THEY ARE CALLED "SECRET WARRANTIES" THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION MAINTAINS A DATABASE OF SERVICE BULLETINS FILED BY MANUFACTURERS. I ALSO HAVE ALL THE MAINTENANCE RECORDS FOR MY 1998 CADILLAC AND WAS NEVER IMFORMED OF THESE PROBLEMS OR I WOULD HAVE HAD THEM REPAIRED WHEN THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENTS I CAN'T KEEP BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE TRANSPORTATION. THE DEALER TOLD ME I HAVE BLOWN HEAD GASKETS WHICH COMES FROM OVERHEATING DUE TO THE COOLING LEAK AND OIL LEAKS.THE HEATER PIPES HAVE RUSTED POURING OUT ENGINE COOLANT. WHICH DOES NOT PRODUCE HEAT AT THIS TIME. I NEED ALL THE HELP I CAN GET, I"M ON A FIXED INCOME AND MONEY IS SCARCE. WHY DON'T THEY RUN COPPER PIPES THEY DON'T RUST. IT'S FOR THE HEATING SYSTEM. PLEASE HELP. *JB

Mileage: 57,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE'S OIL AND ANTIFREEZE LEAKED CAUSING THE INTAKE AND OUTTAKE OF THE ENGINE TO RUST, IN TURN CAUSING THE PIPE TO BUST AND THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE TO FIX THIS ISSUE. UPDATED 12.8/2006 - 4.6 LITER NORTHSTAR ENGINE. THE L/F WINDOW WAS INOPERATIVE. THE BRAKES PULSATED. THE SES LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE HEADLIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. *NM

Mileage: 157,000

I HAVE A 1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE THAT KNOCKS ON COLD START AND UNDER LOAD. *NM

Mileage: 70,000

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MOTOR OVERHEATED CAUSING A STALL..WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THE HEAD BOLTS STRIP OUT OF ALL NORTHSTAR MOTORS..COST OF REPAIR IS APROX. $3000.00..CALLED GM ASSIST HOTLINE AND TOLD THEY WILL OFFER NO HELP

Mileage: 114,000

THE ABS TRACTION CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THIS DEALER REPAIR SHOP FOR THIS PROBLEM SINCE AUG. 2002 AND THE INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH BRAKE FAILURES AND EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCE KEEP RECURRING. *JB ANNTENA STUCK UP. POWER ANTENNA ASSEMBLY REPLACED. OIL LEVEL LOW AND OIL LIGHT IS ON. THERE WAS NO READING ON THE DIPSTICK. HAD TO ADD TWO QUARTS OF OIL AFTER DRIVING 1500 MILES. OIL LIFE INDICATOR WAS RESET. PISTON, ROD AND OIL RINGS REPLACED. DRIVERS SIDE HEADLIGHT COVER FELL OFF WITH BULB BURNT OUT. HEADLAMP HOUSING ASSEMBLY REPLACED. CONSUMER WENT TO START VEHICLE AND IT WOULDN'T START. BATTERY REPLACED. CATALYTIC CONVERTER RATTLING. DRIVERS SIDE HEATED SEAT/SWITCH INOPERATIVE. WHILE GIVING GAS HESITATES; STRUGGLES UP A HILL. SPARK PLUG WIRE REPLACED. NOTIFICATION BY POSTCARD. ORDERED PARTS. DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WON'T GO UP. REPLACED LEFT DOOR WINDOW SWITCH. SES LIGHT ON. EXHAUST RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR) REPLACED. TRANSMISSION MAKES A GRINDING NOISE ON FAST ACCELERATION. DEALER FOUND THE EXHAUST PIPE AT THE REAR OF THE CONVERTER SHIFTING A CROSS BRACE WHEN ACCELERATING. REARVIEW MIRROR BROKE OFF BASE. *TT

Mileage: 10,000

1998 CADILLAC SEDAN DEVILLE WITH NORTHSTAR ENGINE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING AND LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. MECHANIC HAS CHANGED DRIVE SHAFT SENSORS,CHECKED PLUGS & WIRES,CHANGED GAS FILTER,YET THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. *AK

Mileage: 90,000

FAILURE OF HEAD GASKETS AND MAIN SEAL LEAKING. 4.6L V8.

Mileage: 105,000

VEHICLE OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

CONSUMER NOTICED, EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPSION EVERY 3000 MILES ONE QUART OF OIL, CAUSING ENGINE STALL VERY OFTEN. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

DEALER REPORTS THAT THIS GASKET FAILURE IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE NORTHSTAR ENGINES AND THAT THE ENTIRE ENGINE MUST BE DISSASSEMBLED TO REPLACE THE GASKETS. THE FAILURE ALLOWS EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL TO LEAK OUT OF THE ENGINE LEADING TO EVENTUAL FAILURE. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE POOR OR FAULTY ENGINEERING OF THE ENGINE. *AK

ENGINE STARTED "KNOCKING" SLIGHTLY, AT COLD STARTUP, AT APPR. 39000 MILEAGE. NOW SOUND HAS INCREASED IN VOLUME AND CAN BE HEARD WHEN COLD OR HOT, IDLING AND/OR DRIVING. I WILL TAKE CAR TO MEMPHIS CADILLAC. NOTE: I HAD SAME PROBLEM WITH NEW 1994 CHEV. FULL SIZE CONV. VAN. RETURNED VAN TO DEALER AFTER 9 MONTHS OWNERSHIP & 18 TIMES TO A DEALERS SHOP. WAS DIAGNOSED AS LOOSE ROD BEARINGS.*AK

CONSUMER STATED THAT, DURING BATTERY REPLACEMENT DEALER FOUND WATER PUMP LEAKING AND REPLACED WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT AND BY PASS HOSE. *YD

CONSUMER STATED THAT, DURING BATTERY REPLACEMENT DEALER FOUND WATER PUMP LEAKING AND REPLACED WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT AND BY PASS HOSE. *YD

NOT A SAFETY DEFECT BUT THIS CAR IS LEAKING OIL AROUND THE OIL PAN AND FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND FROM THE DEALER THAT THEY HAVE REDESIGNED THE RUBBER GASKET TO WITHSTAND HOTTER TEMPATURES AND I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE SOME KIND OF RECALL ON THIS. THE DEALER IS WANTING $1800.00 TO REPAIR THIS AND MY CAR HAS ONLY 58,000 MILES ON IT.*AK

VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING, DEALER UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*YD

INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT AND DIE WITHOUT WARNING.DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT OR DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATES WHEN VEHICLE STALLS HE LOSES POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES, MAKING VEHICLE VERY HARD TO CONTROL. *SLC

VEHICLE WILL STALL IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS. CONSUMER STATED THIS HAPPENED AT ABOUT 35 MPH. DEALER COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK *SLC

ENGINE NOCKS AND MISFIRES WHEN COLD. *AK

THE DESIGN OF THE AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD ALLOWS WATER TO BE DRAWN INTO THE ENGINE, WHENEVER THE VEHICLE PASSES THROUGH MORE THAN ONE FOOT OF WATER, WHICH CAUSES VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN. *CJ

OIL COOLING LINE.

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION, ENGINE STALLS OUT, AND THE HEDLIGHTS GO OUT. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE 5 OR 6 TIMES, AND STILL HAS NO SOLUTION. *AK

1. GEAR SHIFT HAD TOO MUCH PLAY WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE (DEALER-NO PROBLEM FOUND) 2. REAR ROTORS REPLACED BECAUSE DEALER FOUND THEM WARPED AT 2221 MILES 3. RUNNING ROUGH AND ROTTEN SMELL (DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM) 4. WIPERS WENT OUT ON 2/26/99, DEALER HAD TO ORDER PART SO DROVE TIL 3/2/99 WITHOUT WIPERS. UPON RETURNING TO DEALER ENTIRE DASHBOARD HAD GONE OUT. THEY KEPT THE CAR UNTIL 3/5, AGAIN WENT TO DEALER ON 3/26 FOR WIPERS NOT WORKING, STILL HAD TO ORDER MORE PARTS, RETURNED ON 4/6 TO GET REPLACED AGAIN. SO I WAS FROM 2/26/99 TO 4/6/99 WITHOUT WINDSHIELD WIPERS. 5. COMPLAINED OF NOISE WHEN TURNING RIGHT, THEY FOUND NO PROBLEM, I ALSO COMPLAINED OF ROUGH RIDE, THEY REPLACE BUSHINGS AND LUBED BAR - FELT BETTER FOR A DAY, BUT ROUGH RIDE RETURNED AFTER THAT. I FEEL THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR MORE THAN I HAVE. I CURRENTLY HAVE 5225 MILES ON A 13 MONTH OLD CADILLAC, THUS IS OUTRAGIOUS. THANK YOU. *AK

BRAKES SQUEAL ON APPLICATION - (SERVICE - NO NOISE HEARD) BRAKES SQUEAL ON APPLICATION - (SERVICE - INSTALLED UPDATED PADS ON FRT PER BULLETIN 83-50-25 ) BRAKES SQUEAL UPON APPLICATION A 3RD TIME .LONGER STOPPING TIME AFTER BRAKE APPLICATION ; VEHICLE LEAKING OIL - (SERVICE - TAKE ENGINE OUT MANIFOLD ) VEHICLE LEAKING OIL AGAIN (SERVICE - HOLE FOR CONVERTOR SNOUT DRILLED TOO CLOSE TO REAR MAIN JOURNAL ) VEHICLE LEAKING OIL (SERVICED) VEHICLE LEAKING OIL (SERVICE - KEPT VEHICLE SEVERAL DAYS DID NOT FIND OIL LEAK) VEHICLE STILL LEAKING OIL.

BRAKES SQUEAL UPON APPLICATION - SERVICE DID NOT DETECT; BRAKES SQUEAL UPON APPLICATION - INSTALLED UPDATED PADS ON FRT PER BULLETIN 83-50-25; BRAKES SQUEAL A 3RD TIME - LONGER TIME TO STOP; LEAKING OIL - SERVICE - TAKE OUT ENGINE MANIFOLD; LEAKING OIL AGAIN - SERVICE - HOLE FORCONVERTOR SNOUT DRILLED TOO CLOSE TO REAR MAIN JOURNAL; LEAKING OIL - SERVICE REPLACE RACK AND PINION; LEAKING OIL - SERVICE - CAR WAS KEPT FOR SEVERAL DAYS DID NOT DETECT LEAK. LEAKING OIL; REAR WINDOW SWITCH ON LEFT FRONT DOOR INOPT - SERVICE - REPLACE DOOR WINDOE LEFT FRONT. REPLACE MASTER CONTROL SWITCH; EXPRESS WINDOW DOWN DOES WORK PROPERLY - SERVICE - DID NOT DETECT; WINDSHIELD WASHER INOPT. - SERVICE -RECONNECT LOOSE HOSE; WINDSHIELD WASHER INOPT REINSTALL NOZZLES; WINDSHIELD WASHER INOPT. - SERVICE -GLUED FITTINGS TOGETHER. CUSTOMER SPOKE WITH SERVICE MANAGER SEVERAL TIMES. CUSTOMER SPOKE WITH DEALERSHIP OWNER. CUSTOMER MET WITH GM D.S.M.

LEAK OIL AFTER SERVICED TWICE

ENGINE OIL COOLER LEAKED. YH