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View Poll Results: SHOULD I KEEP THE CAR AND CONTINUE TO TRY AND SOLVE THE PROBLEM OR SHOULD I GET RID O
KEEP CAR SEE IF STEEL SEAL WORKS 1 100.00%
USE ANOTHER PRODUCT 0 0%
GET RID OF CAR 0 0%
REPAIR HEAD GASKET 0 0%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 1. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 01-18-2006, 05:23 PM   #1
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Question Eldorado 98 ETC / OVER HEATS

I have been told I have a blown headgasket after the test tube device was put over the radiator cap opening and the fluid in the test tub turned a color indicating carbon monoxide was escaping. I have no water in the dipstick, no foam on the radiator cap and no water leaking from the exhaust pipes. In an enclosed location I can smell that radiator smell.

In a nothing to lose effort to avoid the inevitable cost of repair, I used the product STEEL SEAL. It guarentees to repair scientifically the headgasket. STEEL SEAL Tech support said it only works 40% of the time on the Northstar.

Any thoughts on how I might prevent over heating through the Las Vegas desert? Any experience with STEEL SEAL?
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Old 01-18-2006, 09:10 PM   #2
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Re: Eldorado 98 ETC / OVER HEATS

About the only thing you can do is fix the blown head gasket. How many miles and what condition is the car? That would be the factor for me to see if I was going to just get rid of it. Expect over to $2,000 to fix the head gaskets.
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Old 01-19-2006, 10:07 AM   #3
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Re: Eldorado 98 ETC / OVER HEATS

1998 Eldo 66,300 Miles - Good Condition Other Wise.
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Old 01-19-2006, 10:28 AM   #4
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Re: Eldorado 98 ETC / OVER HEATS

So with the low miles, it'd be worth a bit if it didn't have a blown headgasket. So it's up to you on whether to pay to fix it, or take a big hit selling a broken car. I'd fix it, keep it 'til 100k miles or so, then sell it. If you do decide to fix it, make sure he head bolt holes in the block are timeserted. It's required on the Northstar engines.
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Old 01-19-2006, 10:55 AM   #5
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Re: Eldorado 98 ETC / OVER HEATS

Thanks. I'm faced with the hard decision of putting 2-4k in a car that's almost 10yrs. old.

To find a mechanic that's trusting is another feat.
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Old 01-20-2006, 04:53 PM   #6
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Re: Eldorado 98 ETC / OVER HEATS

Try and get some recommendations from friends and family about a good repair shop!
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Old 01-27-2006, 08:31 PM   #7
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Re: Eldorado 98 ETC / OVER HEATS

I would try to seal it with one of the many products that can seal head gasket leaks. Why not? Just follow product instructions to the letter as some, if not all of the head gasket sealers, require the radiator to be flushed. If sealer is left in without flushing it could clog the radiator. I've used Solder Seal/Block Seal to repair a severe head gasket leak and it worked. But I wasn't dealing with a Northstar engine so I wouldn't know if it will work for you. If it doesn't work, then you can always reconsider the other options.

Last edited by M.A.C; 01-27-2006 at 11:00 PM.
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Old 01-27-2006, 08:37 PM   #8
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Re: Eldorado 98 ETC / OVER HEATS

Dumping block sealer in there could buy more time, or not work at all! But the best way to fix it is to get the gasket replaced. It's a tough choice to make!
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Old 02-06-2006, 08:15 PM   #9
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Re: Eldorado 98 ETC / OVER HEATS

So far Steel Seal appears to be working. I just drove through 87 degree temperature and the temp meter stayed middle to middle before the first line after the half way-mark.

The tech support at Steel Seal is excellent. They are very patient and clearly want you to have success with their product. They were very candid when it comes to their success percentage with Northstar engines.

I will not drive it in any trip over 100 miles becaus eI want to keep the car for several more years.

Thanks everyone for your help.
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Old 02-06-2006, 09:07 PM   #10
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Re: Eldorado 98 ETC / OVER HEATS

Glad it's working for you! Hope it lasts! Good luck!
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Old 01-09-2011, 11:43 PM   #11
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Re: Eldorado 98 ETC / OVER HEATS

Well, now that it's been a couple of years, what is the diagnosis? Did the liquid repair work??? What happened with the head gasket issue?
THanks
RZ
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Old 01-23-2011, 07:23 PM   #12
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Exclamation Re: Eldorado 98 ETC / OVER HEATS

Quote:
Originally Posted by rzacc View Post
Well, now that it's been a couple of years, what is the diagnosis? Did the liquid repair work??? What happened with the head gasket issue?
THanks
RZ
I was surprised when I got this Tread.My Eldo and I had a real love affair. Even now when I see one on the street and its clean there is nothing like its beauty.

I can't prove it but I think my engine got the kiss of death from the first three month oil change. Under warranty I took the Eldo to the dealer for an oil change. Unknown to me they did not tighten the oil pan bolt and eventually all the oil leaked out, the FIRST engine over heat when all the bells and whistles went spastic at 28k miles.

Three years later,11-18-05, The next radiator leak and overheating I was 100 miles from home, 64,764mi.
I serviced everything associated with the cooling system.

Head gasket problem first diagnosed 04-20-06 at 70,330mi. First used Steel Seal. It worked. YES!
I serviced everything associated with the cooling system.

Three years later the over heating came back. 2nd Steel Seal gasket repair. At this time the company was up front about their mid to low success rate with Northstar (aluminum) 3-19-09 - 97,146 mi.

5-14-09 Third Steel Seal application. 5-14-09 - 99,482 miles. Tons of smoke, car now overheats every two miles> have to pull over and wait until it cools down to leep frog home.

I had to abandon my Eldo ship and 6-09 I traded it in and got an SRX.

10-09 I got a call from Steel Seal stating their new formula they guarantee will repair the Northstar. I told them too late the Eldo is history.

That's my Eldo journey. RENET

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No one asked so I'll take the liberty and share my nearly 10 year repair history to a car that I spoiled and that turned out not to be enough.

Repaired or replaced:
5-02 Steering Column smoke. Warranty 28k
5-04 Front seat back rest electrical. Bends to rear seat. 51k -$280.00
1-05 Interior water leak. trunk weather strip. $84.00
1-05 Replace water pump-thermostat-rad cap.57k - $344.00
1-05 Air compressor. 57k -$789.00
5-05 Coolant tank leak. 59k - $182.00
11-05 Drivers side window/electrical. 64.5k - $200.00
2-06 Radiator fan. 59.8k - $237.00
3-06 Left tail light/electrical. 69k - $219.00
4-06 Head gasket. 70k - $500.00
6-06 Motor mounts. 72.7k - $274.00
10-06 Front left Hub bearing. 76.8k - $417.00
3-07 Ignition cylinder +2keys. 80k - $532.00
12-07 Motor Mounts-upper torque-blower motor-sensor arm. 87k- $1441.00
1-08 Engine sensors. 81k - $134.00
5-08 Alternator. 91k - $453.00
8-08 Suspension module. 92k - $350.00
3-09 Steel Seal. 97k - !60.00
4-09 Ground/electrical. 97k - $141.00
5-09 Steel Seal. 99.5k - $320.00
6-09 By-By Eldo.
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Old 01-23-2011, 07:46 PM   #13
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Re: Eldorado 98 ETC / OVER HEATS

Thanks for the update. Im sorry to hear about the end result.

Has anyone used a product called Dura Seal? It's supposed to be designed specifically for the Northstar engine.

Thanks
Ron
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Old 07-17-2011, 06:55 PM   #14
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Re: Eldorado 98 ETC / OVER HEATS

The specialty sealers don't work- plain & simple. It won't buy you time just clogged heatercores & radiators. The prices ($100+)are highly inflated and money out the window for a waste of time. Total scam.

These headgaskets don't fail completely anyway for a while and as long as coolant is in, it only pushes coolant out & get overly hot at hiway speed loads/rpms.
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Old 07-17-2011, 11:42 PM   #15
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Re: Eldorado 98 ETC / OVER HEATS

Gentlemen. Well, here is the update on my caddy. I decided to have it fixed right. Steve Mills of Steve Mills racing in colo Springs, Colo. put in the Northstar Performance studs and I could not be happier. Well, I COULD, but not over this. The Studs worked great and the folks at Northstar Performance were great. The car is running good- although I have driven it a lot of miles since then, Im looking forwrd to using it more. Right now I am optomistic that the problem is solved. Best to you all.
RZ
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