2009 Cadillac northstar:still suspect?

[cfz2882]

last year my dad bought a 2009 Cadillac-wonderful car,runs fine,no funny noises,~110,000 miles-anything to look out for/suspect with a northstar this late?I did tell my dad I didn't think it was a good idea to starting it up in subfreezing weather,but is that really any concern with a late Northstar ?

 

[twintubdexter]

Most trouble-free vehicle I've had since 1966

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">Even with no responses yet, I can already tell you you've opened up a can of worms...the extra-large family-size can. You might try giving this guy a call. His info's on the internet and Facebook. Try asking him there. I'm not sure how he feels about handing out free info over the phone but I  can tell you this, he knows Cadillacs inside and out, including the Northstar V8, and could probably perform any repair blindfolded. He's a cool & friendly guy. I'm fortunate to have him service my trouble-free (small minor repairs) 1998 Eldorado. Of course my car has never been in sub-zero temperatures...120+ degrees, yes.</span>

[this post was last edited: 2/10/2019-13:27]

 

[rickr]

The famous Death-Star tinfoil engine, by GM. It does not matter if one starts one of these cold or not. Sooner or later, you will have major engine problems, and the car will not be worth repairing. I would not put any money in one of these cars, at all. Not even an oil change. They were a very poorly designed car. I had driven Cadillacs for 30 years, and owned one with the Death-Star, and now I drive Volvo's.

 

[stricklybojack]

.
They added better head bolts (or something) long before 2009 to correct the head gasket /over heating problem that plagued the earlier version of the motor after they hit about 100k miles.
Later Northstars (including 2009) should be a sweet engine.

 

[askolover]

We had an '07 with the NHP motor...the high performance Northstar engine.  The dealer told us , "Oh, they've fixed all those oil leak problems, and redesigned the whole thing.  It won't blow oil like the previous ones did, and your's is a high-performance version so it's even better".  NOT!  At 80k miles it started that seep from the bottom.  That's the beginning of sorrows.  It only gets worse from there.  Shortly after, I began seeing more oil blown all over the undercarriage of the car.  The day we got rid of it we were driving to NC for our previous Lincoln MKS (that Tony totaled) and every time I stopped for gas I had to check the oil level.  It was leaving drops on the pavement by then.  NEVER AGAIN!  I have yet to see a vehicle with a Northstar V8 in it that wasn't covered underneath with oil...unless it was brand new.  With a Northstar, "you check the gas and fill up with oil."

 

[twintubdexter]

askolover...

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">I'll have to take a photo for you of the space in my garage where it's parked. Since 1998 I've never added oil because the dipstick was low. </span>

 

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">Only problem I've had is that it gets desert-dusty...but then I talk to it so I'm sure it would tell me if it wasn't feeling well</span>

 

[cfz2882]

no leaks here either...

my dad's does't leak a drop of anything-he may have gotten a "good"one -it only cost $6500 in perfect condition-real good buy so far

 

[rickr]

It is not only the engine that is troublesome with these cars. It is the poor quality of the entire car. This the reason one can purchase them so cheaply. Most people do not want them. I have a friend that works in the salvage business in Dallas Texas. These cars come in all the time, and while they look great in appearance, they are simply no good. They just crush all of them. The entire yard would be full of them, if they did not crush them right away.
They really are that bad.

 

[twintubdexter]

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">This topic has been discussed many times on this forum. Not as many responses as I thought. I think it's boring to most.</span>

 

[strongenough78]

Aren't the starters under the intake manifold on the Northstar engines?

 

[combo52]

Starters Under The Intake Manifold ?

You mean like a Lexus 400 Series, expensive cars have expensive problems, it matters not whether its a Toyota or a Cadillac or a Lincoln.

 

[askolover]

Yes the starter is in the valley of the V under the intake manifold.  Major $$ to fix. 

The 3.7L V6 in my new Lincoln has more HP than my last high performance Northstar V8 did. 

 

Joe, you'd better contact GM to let them know about your car.  Something must be wrong if it's not leaking underneath by now.  Glad your's is doing ok.  I've had 3...an Eldorado, a Sedan DeVille, and my last DTS NHP.  Same thing every time.  How many miles do you have on it? 

 

[twintubdexter]

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">I doubt GM is interested concerning anything about a 20 year old car they don't even make anymore. The local Cadillac dealer doesn't want it anywhere near their dealership and has basically told me that. It's a very old car and is nothing to brag about. Still as much of a pleasure to drive as it was on day#1 which is why I keep it. I'm sure people say "look at that old man in that old car!" </span>

 

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">Buying something new doesn't necessarily mean no problems. About 8 months ago my neighbor bought a new Lexus LX. It was very expensive. 2 months after he owned it the car caught on fire in his driveway. The front 1/3 of the car was toast. It looked and smelled ugly. Fortunately the HOA gave him 24 hours to have it removed. I could smell  it from my house.</span>

 

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">On a more tragic note, my 2 very good lady friends down the street traded in their problematic 3 year old Acura for a very, very pricey Tesla. The car was well over 6 figures, a ridiculous amount for any car in my book. The car was 6-months new when "it" decided to move out into fast moving traffic, at least that's their story. The accident was horrendous. The driver's side took the main impact and my friend will never get out of a wheelchair. Countless surgeries attempt to keep her alive. The Tesla dealer thoughtfully gave them a new car.</span>

 

<span style="font-size: 14pt; color: #008000;">I don't anticipate my little old Cadillac will always be trouble free. The car is now worth practically nothing. If something does develope that's serious I'll just say goodbye and dump it. Tomorrow I find out if my cancer that was discovered last week is terminal (which I suspect it is).  I may not have to worry about oil leaks or much of anything else for very long. Be good.</span>

 

[paulg]

My 2003 DeVille

My 2003 DeVille did develop oil problems, however it had 165,000 miles and saved our lives in a bad accident.
Always dealer serviced, they couldn't repair the engine. I still miss the car. It worked long enough and kept us safe and happy through two accidents. The butt-warmers were so hot I used to turn them on high to keep our carry-out warm on the way home.
... Best wishes to Twintubdexter. I'll be hoping for a good result for you.

 

[imperial70]

Joe,
I hope you will have good news. I will say a prayer for you.