Thoughts?

"dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford" (dtg11) 04/12/2016 at 13:36 • Filed to: None

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I’m gonna be looking at an 2003 Cadillac Seville STS w/175k on the ODO. Anything I should look for? CL post here:

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Any problems I should be aware of? Parts that might need replacing?

Your boy, BJR > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 04/12/2016 at 13:43

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Shit, for $600 more, I’ll sell you my 71k mile DeVille.

MultiplaOrgasms > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 04/12/2016 at 13:47

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Eh, the previous model looks better.

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 04/12/2016 at 13:51

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I love those. The Northstar V8 might make problems though..

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 04/12/2016 at 14:08

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Common issues include massive oil leak issues but I think that was addressed with an update in 2002.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > MultiplaOrgasms 04/12/2016 at 14:19

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Especially with fender flares and a modest body kit

Schaefft > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 04/12/2016 at 14:27

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Automatic transmission, coolant consumption (cylinder head studs/headgasket), suspension wear, the usual high mile car things.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 04/12/2016 at 14:28

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Like what?

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 04/12/2016 at 14:32

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The best news is that the biggest issue for the aluminum Northstars was after they overheated, and it’d be obvious on a car if it ever had as everything warps and leaks and is generally terrible and broken in the engine.

After that it’s just looking for general abuse the same way you would on every car.

David Baker > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 04/12/2016 at 14:32

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High mileage Northstar, run. The head bolts/studs love to pull out of the block. Great motor when they’re working but,I’ve seen them fail with less than 50k miles.

MultiplaOrgasms > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 04/12/2016 at 14:33

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Fooken ricer

shop-teacher > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 04/12/2016 at 14:43

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If these have the same transmissions as he Devilles of the era, and I bet they do, the torque converter lockups tend to fail. You can test this by taking it on the highway and checking the RPMs when you’re at a steady state cruise. If it’s running at over 2000 RPM, then the torque converter is not locking up. It’s not something that will leave you stranded, but you’ll get like 14 mpg on the highway because of it. That’s what happened in my 2000 Deville, and my trans guy recommend I drive it as is without fixing it, because, “You can buy a lot of gas for the three grand I’d have to charge you to fix it.”

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 04/12/2016 at 14:54

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The older (1990s) Northstar engines had oil leaks and head gasket issues. But the newer ones are just fine. I’d search the internet though. But other than that I’d definitely buy one and do this

Die-Trying > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 04/12/2016 at 15:14

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northstar....... pass.

Mosqvich > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 04/12/2016 at 15:17

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I've always liked the lines of that car.

Alex from Toronto > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 04/12/2016 at 15:18

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Northstar v8's had headgasket issues, I think some of them came with air suspension so that might be an issue as well.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 04/12/2016 at 15:18

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The interior looks very clean. I’d think by 175k the HGs would be leaking if they were going to leak.

If it has *any* service records (and even if it doesn't), it's a good looking car for a fair price.

Die-Trying > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 04/12/2016 at 15:22

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northstars give up the headgaskets, period. they have aluminium blocks, and steel head bolts, and over time the different metals “interact”. further, when you go to remove the head bolts, you just MIGHT pull the threads out of the block. they make a “threadsert” kit to fix them. the starter is UNDER the intake manifold. the water pumps give it up on the regular. the timing is a PAIN to set on the first try. the gaskets leak, pan and valve covers. and the oil pump is driven by the pressed on balancer, which takes 250+lbft to set. radiators are always on the way out. and they RUN at 300 degrees.

peppy little engines, when they are right

acarr260 > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 04/12/2016 at 15:40

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Oil consumption. I had a 2005 Bonneville GXP (4.6L NorthStar). It was great until about 130k miles, then it started using (not leaking) a quart of oil every 110 miles.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford 04/12/2016 at 16:02

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I owned one two years older and did find of research on it for the two years I had it. Parts are expensive for a domestic. Water pumps were done annually. Head gaskets and bolt threads pull out. Radiators leak. Control arm bushings blow out. The boot between the throttle and intake rips. Rear bank is a pain to work on. Motor mounts collapse. Shocks and struts leak and are not cheap. Interior is kinda cheap, but you will be a super glue pro before long. They leak oil from just about everywhere. They also consume oil, and develop quite a lot of carbon if not driven hard frequently. Torque converter lock ups fail because of some stupid seal that requires transmission tear down to fix. Wheel speed sensors fail which requires new hubs. Crank sensors fail and leave you stranded. Air injection pumps are garbage.

I had all of those problems minus heads and shocks. In two years. With 50k less miles than the one you’re looking at. One of the most stressful and expensive cars I’ve ever owned and I’ve had a 90's range rover (which I put two engines in mind you) and currently have an AMG.

dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford > Alex from Toronto 04/12/2016 at 16:36

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This has rear air, but you could always convert to traditional springs.