1996 Deville Northstar

[KAKershaw]

I just purchased a 1996 Cadillac Deville Northstar from www.ebaymotors.com. I have been a BMW owner for years, but thought I would try a Caddy. Anything particular I should know about treating and servicing a Caddy (and particular this year and make).

Thanks!

[louic]

Be sure to put "pellets" in the antifreeze. What that? It apparently has to do with the fact that the damn Noethstar engine block is aluminun and if you treat it laike a regular car (that is, putting in only antifreeze), it may overheat like mine did and you are in a world of *&^$.
On an aluminun engine (which I had no idea was the case when I bought the car), when you remove a screw, the threads generally come with it! As a matter of fact, the Caddy shop manuals (170 bucks) have an entire section on repairing "threads" by "inserts". It a crock and I regret the day I bought the thing. (still trying to get running right after almost two years). After getting the engine back in, it runs rough and my scan tool displays a PO340, or camshaft position sensor ckt malfunction. I think the thing is haunted! It all started with those fricking pellets - which I could not see, for the life of me, why such an expensive car, A CADILLAC FOR CHRIST'S SAKE, would need extra goop in the radiator. Boy was I wrong.

Hope you have better luck.

Loui

[KAKershaw]

Thank you for taking the time and sharing that information. I really do appreciate it since I am a caddy novice!

Keith

Originally Posted by louic

Be sure to put "pellets" in the antifreeze. What that? It apparently has to do with the fact that the damn Noethstar engine block is aluminun and if you treat it laike a regular car (that is, putting in only antifreeze), it may overheat like mine did and you are in a world of *&^$.
On an aluminun engine (which I had no idea was the case when I bought the car), when you remove a screw, the threads generally come with it! As a matter of fact, the Caddy shop manuals (170 bucks) have an entire section on repairing "threads" by "inserts". It a crock and I regret the day I bought the thing. (still trying to get running right after almost two years). After getting the engine back in, it runs rough and my scan tool displays a PO340, or camshaft position sensor ckt malfunction. I think the thing is haunted! It all started with those fricking pellets - which I could not see, for the life of me, why such an expensive car, A CADILLAC FOR CHRIST'S SAKE, would need extra goop in the radiator. Boy was I wrong.

Hope you have better luck.

Loui

[Osca777]

Pellets? As long as the coolant is 50/50 Dex cool and water, you will be fine. It prevents damage to the aluminum as well as freezing. I'm curious as to what year you're reffering to about the threads.

[hyarnell1]

Pellets? Pellets? We don't need no stinking pellets!!