I may have a chance to buy a 2002 Cadillac DeVille 4 door sedan. Car has 47,000 miles on it. Searching has turned up alot of problems with this engine. Anyone have first hand info. on this engine ? Thanks.
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Northstar V-8 pros & cons
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The Tourist
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That motor's problems can be defined by one word. "Oil."
It leaks it, and burns it.
Supposedly the later engines were better. I think that was hype. They quit making that engine, ya' know.
It leaks it, and burns it.
Supposedly the later engines were better. I think that was hype. They quit making that engine, ya' know.
My father has a 2002 Cadillac DHS with the Northstar engine. He has owned the car since new. Flawless performer at 90,000 miles with absolutely zero issues over its lifetime. Of course, he babies the car and is a maintenance stickler.
I would not hesitate one iota to pick up the DeVille you are looking at considering the low mileage. Of course, you need to do your research (i.e. get a Carfax report and have your mechanic inspect it).
Good luck!
I would not hesitate one iota to pick up the DeVille you are looking at considering the low mileage. Of course, you need to do your research (i.e. get a Carfax report and have your mechanic inspect it).
Good luck!
erk
Member
My wife had a 1999 STS with that engine. AT 90,000 head warpped, overheated. Head steel head bolts in aluminum block. Cad has fix but wont recall. Pull heads, ream and re-thread block headbolt holes for helicoil threaded inserts. True up the heads. Over $5,000. Had commercial aftermarket extended warranty for $1,800. Out of pocket on $5,000 repair was $750. $2,550. Warranty folks were out $2,450.
Don't buy it unless documented that helicoil threaded inserts have been installed in block, by a dealer.
erk
Don't buy it unless documented that helicoil threaded inserts have been installed in block, by a dealer.
erk
arch stanton
Member
I bought an '02 STS in '05 and drove it like the 23 year old I was at the time. I didn't have any problems with the motor but was having lots of small problems like window regulators and the heater fan but I think it had around 150,000 miles by then. It did governor out at 130 mph though which was a big let down.
Zebulon
Member
One of the best engines and one of the worst. The only reson I stopped chasing a late model STS was because I didn't want to gamble. Owner Surveys reflect the same opinions. The NorthStar is a work of art if you get a good one....then again......Zebulon
You got that right. It's kind of rare to see a northstar that does't leak or burn oil, but mostly use it. The funny thing at the time, maybe 8 to 10 years ago, GM said a qt./1200mi usage wasn't excessive. It's a good thing most of them hold 8 qts. Keep a few more in the trunk.
get a mechanic to show you where the starter is and find out how much to replace one. lee
The Tourist
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What's odd about this is that the engine was designed for a Cadillac sports car--I forget the name right now. You'd think they'd put a durable engine in it.
If memory serves (and lately that's "iffy") the engine was used quite a bit in custom cars where the builder wanted to use a rear positioned V-8. Supposedly the design of the Northstar made it easy to convert.
SEIndSAM
Member
I have had a 2002 DeVille with the Northstar V8 since 2007. I drive the car for work and it now has nearly 300,000 miles on it.
The car had 69,000 on it when I bought it. It would burn a quart of oil every 1000 miles. Now, at 300,000 miles, it still burns a quart of oil every 1000 miles. There is a sensor built into the engine that will remind you if the oil level drops. If it says "check oil level", you add 2 quarts.
I have had few problems with the engine. My biggest complaint has been the power windows. There is a $.25 cent plastic piviot that will eventually break that requires the entire assembly to be replaced. All four of my windows have needed this repair. The first time, I took it to my garage and it was $500 to replace. After that, I learned how to do it on Youtube and replaced the other three (when they broke) for less than 100.
The car had 69,000 on it when I bought it. It would burn a quart of oil every 1000 miles. Now, at 300,000 miles, it still burns a quart of oil every 1000 miles. There is a sensor built into the engine that will remind you if the oil level drops. If it says "check oil level", you add 2 quarts.
I have had few problems with the engine. My biggest complaint has been the power windows. There is a $.25 cent plastic piviot that will eventually break that requires the entire assembly to be replaced. All four of my windows have needed this repair. The first time, I took it to my garage and it was $500 to replace. After that, I learned how to do it on Youtube and replaced the other three (when they broke) for less than 100.
Northstar V-8
We owned a Caddy STS, a 2002, I believe. Great machine and an excellent road warrior. The Northstar engine is a fairly sophisticated piece, but certainly reliable if properly maintained. Buy a car with one that isn't and you can be in for some serious repair bills. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase another STS, or other Cadillac with this engine if the car had a well documented maintenance history. One of my friends at work has one in an late 90's Eldorado. That thing must have 250K on it by now and still hasn't had any major engine work. I do believe that this engine needs to be exercised regularly ... It loves cruising at speed over idling around town.
We owned a Caddy STS, a 2002, I believe. Great machine and an excellent road warrior. The Northstar engine is a fairly sophisticated piece, but certainly reliable if properly maintained. Buy a car with one that isn't and you can be in for some serious repair bills. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase another STS, or other Cadillac with this engine if the car had a well documented maintenance history. One of my friends at work has one in an late 90's Eldorado. That thing must have 250K on it by now and still hasn't had any major engine work. I do believe that this engine needs to be exercised regularly ... It loves cruising at speed over idling around town.
perfectcircle1
Member
Well im a mechanic with some experience with the northstar engine. Ill keep this short as im not one for lengthy stories. I replaced an engine in one customers caddy and even with a used engine it cost about 4000 grand. Another customer has 137000 trouble free miles. When buying a caddy just expect the unexpected, that's all.
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OP
Thanks everyone for the replies.
The car is available due to the death of the owner, who was a distant cousin. The hunt is now on for the sevice receipts with his daughter. I may get to talk to his mechanic hopefully today. My main concern is the cooling system maint. Then there are the oil problems. Unless the service has been perfect I will pass. Then I'll just hang onto my 1997 Buick Century. It just turned 100,000 miles and runs great.
The car is available due to the death of the owner, who was a distant cousin. The hunt is now on for the sevice receipts with his daughter. I may get to talk to his mechanic hopefully today. My main concern is the cooling system maint. Then there are the oil problems. Unless the service has been perfect I will pass. Then I'll just hang onto my 1997 Buick Century. It just turned 100,000 miles and runs great.
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I have owned two Northstar equipped DTS Caddy's - a 2000 and a 2003 each one for 3 years. They never had a bit of trouble, never burned oil or leaked and they ran great! Also got incredible millage 28 on the Hwy. VERY fast car!
Yes I have heard that they become troublesome when they age (don't know exactly what age or mileage) but I never experienced any problems what-so-ever in the 3 years I owned them for and I put on about 40 - 50,000 miles each. How they are past that...... can't tell you.
Chief38
Yes I have heard that they become troublesome when they age (don't know exactly what age or mileage) but I never experienced any problems what-so-ever in the 3 years I owned them for and I put on about 40 - 50,000 miles each. How they are past that...... can't tell you.
Chief38
bobf
US Veteran
I bought a new one in 01, it was the worst new car I've ever owned. Wife drove it and only opened the window at drive thru,
it had 3rd window regulator in it when I got rid of it at 90k.
Sensors, air pump, digitial dash, wheel bearings, stripped plastic gear operating doors in the heater/AC ducting. Catalytic converter plugging up.
The final straw was the head gasket. My understanding is the head bolts are fine thread, threaded into the aluminum block and pull out. It would have cost more to fix the head problem than the trade in value.
The quality of the components didn't come close to matching the price of the car.
It was very well cared for, my 3rd and final Cadilliac.
Bob
it had 3rd window regulator in it when I got rid of it at 90k.
Sensors, air pump, digitial dash, wheel bearings, stripped plastic gear operating doors in the heater/AC ducting. Catalytic converter plugging up.
The final straw was the head gasket. My understanding is the head bolts are fine thread, threaded into the aluminum block and pull out. It would have cost more to fix the head problem than the trade in value.
The quality of the components didn't come close to matching the price of the car.
It was very well cared for, my 3rd and final Cadilliac.
Bob
chevythunder
Member
Im a tech at a caddy dealer and cringe when these northstars come through the door. You may get lucky and have it last for 200k. But we see more engines have issues at 60k than lasting 200k. They jave a split block design that always leaks. The headbolts pull out of the bloxk causing headgasket failure. We dont do helicoil fixes anymore due to a couple helicoils pulling out of the block during the repair. All the junk yards have been cleared of these engines. They eat window regulators,wheel bearings, wiper motors and water pumps. Unless you get the car for free,steer clear. STS and CTS with the 3.6 have the same performance and fuel economy but with a solid motor. (except for timing chains)
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Any engine design that puts the starter motor under the intake manifold requiring a multiple-hour tear-down just to reach it should be avoided like the plague!
My brother in law has had three Northstar Caddys. He changes his oil every 5K, used synthetics and is an older, conservative driver. His 1999 lasted 105,000 and he traded it in. The engine in his 2002 blew-and I mean fragmented blown at 37K. The replacement popped a head at 60K. He then bought a 2006 which had cam trouble at just 30K, then went to the great smoke cloud in the sky around 50K.
My brother in law has had three Northstar Caddys. He changes his oil every 5K, used synthetics and is an older, conservative driver. His 1999 lasted 105,000 and he traded it in. The engine in his 2002 blew-and I mean fragmented blown at 37K. The replacement popped a head at 60K. He then bought a 2006 which had cam trouble at just 30K, then went to the great smoke cloud in the sky around 50K.
Erich
Member
The 4.6 L Northstar in my '06 SRX has been great for the 43k miles it's had thus far. Knock wood, but - dang - the thing'll go! 
LVSteve
Member
Didn't Cadillac supercharge this motor for the STS-V? The problems listed above might explain why I was offered one cheap a few years ago.
