overheating issues
05-26-2014, 12:50 PM
#11
Junior Member
75 racer, I value your input greatly as an experienced Cadillac tech. Please consider the use of our kit if you ever run across this again. Thank you
06-19-2014, 12:17 AM
#12
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
In the beginning, it took almost 250 installs worldwide and 115+ in the Northstar Performance shop before ANY failure with the kit was actually documented and confirmed and actually, it was due to a defect in the head. The NP company repaired it under warranty since they had done the install. GM actually subs out their reman motors and they use this kit without hesitancy on warrantying the engines.
My continued searches with query strings of every possible combination have led to not one post about engines with these kits failing. Please back-up your statements of 50% failure possibility after a competent installation by reputable shop. I'm quite sure the Cadillac side of the internet would be buzzing if such numbers were factual instead bragging on their various forums about having trust in their now rebuilt engines. My old neighbor here in Vegas had this kit installed in his (how I learned about it) and the mechanic said it was amazingly simple and literally foolproof. As with any profession, the length of time as a mechanic actually is not always an indicator of how well one grasps new techniques and technologies and implements them. I anxiously await documentation to prove your statements of failures.
My continued searches with query strings of every possible combination have led to not one post about engines with these kits failing. Please back-up your statements of 50% failure possibility after a competent installation by reputable shop. I'm quite sure the Cadillac side of the internet would be buzzing if such numbers were factual instead bragging on their various forums about having trust in their now rebuilt engines. My old neighbor here in Vegas had this kit installed in his (how I learned about it) and the mechanic said it was amazingly simple and literally foolproof. As with any profession, the length of time as a mechanic actually is not always an indicator of how well one grasps new techniques and technologies and implements them. I anxiously await documentation to prove your statements of failures.
Simply put I don't have documents showing of the failures, just out in the shop experience is what I have. Ive only worked with Cadillac for a yr. Have several good friend techs, in the business since the 70s still wrenching today. The earlier northstars were really bad pulling headbolt threads on the blocks. In 07 the threads were changed, thus head gasket repairs are more successful. Considering the fact aluminum is being used in the block, the threads are already damaged and surfaces are weaker. The thought of drilling and installing inserts is trouble waiting to happen in already weak material. The technicians always quoted an engine job on the side with the headgasket repair to give the customer the extra option. Im not sure of your occupation, but in the auto industry you have to cover your ***. Any said repair that comes back for any reason I get to fix for free if the customer bitches enough regardless if its my fault or not. Customer satisfaction is no.1
You mention reading internet blogs, forums, and etc. Im sure you know better than believe everything that'* posted on the net.
06-19-2014, 06:24 AM
#13
Junior Member
Threads changed in 2004 to a coarse M11x2.0 - believe me, I have a 2004 Deville in the shop right now and it has these M11 bolts. This one still had tight bolts. A 2005 I recently had done, had 5 bolts pulled (also coarse thread). A 2006 again, all tight. It'* hit and miss with thread failure. GM'* warranty division paid for it.
06-19-2014, 07:14 AM
#14
Senior Member
True Car Nut
what i dont get is whats the difference in all the other aluminum engines gm has that dont have head issues? the 60 degree v-6 has been all aluminum since the 80'* and i have put probably 200-300 on each that i have owned over several cars and never had one issue where i had to pull the head. the some of the ls engines are too and people make twice the power of the n-star without messing with the bottom end.
the closest thing to a problem anyone i knew of was my buddies 2.8 beretta had a plug come out and he just had it helicoiled
the closest thing to a problem anyone i knew of was my buddies 2.8 beretta had a plug come out and he just had it helicoiled
Last edited by jwfirebird; 06-19-2014 at 07:16 AM.
06-19-2014, 09:51 AM
#15
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what i dont get is whats the difference in all the other aluminum engines gm has that dont have head issues? the 60 degree v-6 has been all aluminum since the 80'* and i have put probably 200-300 on each that i have owned over several cars and never had one issue where i had to pull the head. the some of the ls engines are too and people make twice the power of the n-star without messing with the bottom end.
the closest thing to a problem anyone i knew of was my buddies 2.8 beretta had a plug come out and he just had it helicoiled
the closest thing to a problem anyone i knew of was my buddies 2.8 beretta had a plug come out and he just had it helicoiled
06-19-2014, 10:27 AM
#16
Senior Member
True Car Nut
i thought they were but at least the l33 trucks and ls1 cars are all aluminum and they dont have problems.
the intake issues are due to gms use of cheap plastic gaskets. and that i believe has caused the head issues, water doesnt compress. i had 2-2.8'* 200k+, one 3.1 300k+, one 3.4 200k and take care of a bunch more for friends and family and never even did an intake gasket let alone a head gasket.
the intake issues are due to gms use of cheap plastic gaskets. and that i believe has caused the head issues, water doesnt compress. i had 2-2.8'* 200k+, one 3.1 300k+, one 3.4 200k and take care of a bunch more for friends and family and never even did an intake gasket let alone a head gasket.
06-19-2014, 04:20 PM
#17
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i thought they were but at least the l33 trucks and ls1 cars are all aluminum and they dont have problems.
the intake issues are due to gms use of cheap plastic gaskets. and that i believe has caused the head issues, water doesnt compress. i had 2-2.8'* 200k+, one 3.1 300k+, one 3.4 200k and take care of a bunch more for friends and family and never even did an intake gasket let alone a head gasket.
the intake issues are due to gms use of cheap plastic gaskets. and that i believe has caused the head issues, water doesnt compress. i had 2-2.8'* 200k+, one 3.1 300k+, one 3.4 200k and take care of a bunch more for friends and family and never even did an intake gasket let alone a head gasket.
06-20-2014, 07:03 AM
#19
Senior Member
True Car Nut
i woudnt say most either, out if a dozen that i maintain none have. mechanics seem to have a distorted view sometimes because they see a bunch of one thing but you dont see how many didnt need it. i also have never even heard of any ls head gasket issues.
06-20-2014, 09:14 AM
#20
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from what ive seen its only been first gen LS1, in the corvettes and Firebird/Trans AM, ETC that have head gasket issues, the rest i havent seen nothing yet.