Cadillac DTS Head Gaskets - Part 1
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- Опубліковано 8 січ 2025
- THIS VIDEO IS SUUUPER LONG!!! I promise the next in the series will be better!!!! Thanks so much for watching, and I hope you all enjoy!
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Today, we begin a series in which me and my brother Bry begin removing the heads and replacing the head gaskets on this 2006 Northstar V8 Cadillac DTS. Trying to approach this pretty laid back, but give you guys some hopefully useful information on doing this yourself also, as it seems to be a very common problem with Northstar V8s. Stay tuned for more in the series, and if there are more out by the time you see this, there will be a link here somewhere!! Thanks again for watching, and enjoy!
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Thanks again for watching, you rock!!
God bless,
Channel C.G.E.
Before i watch this video, i want to welcome you to the mechanic community. you young bucks make me proud. 4.6L north star ROCKS
Ive spent so much money on my dts lmao its curently in the shop for the 3rd time
@@afropuff2357what year and for what?
@@afropuff2357 I ready to sell
It rocks only when it's about to blow up 😅
DTS= Damn Thing Sux! Thirty eight years working for Cad dealers made a believer 'outa me! I've done this job dozens of times. I always pulled the engine though. Timeserts are a must!
I bought a 08 dts with 16k miles I’m on 23kmiles
Wow you all are really smart nobody around here will even attempt to do this.
Thank you! Yeah, seems like not very many people want to get into a job like this. And I think I see why lol! It has been a big job, but it is doable!!! Thanks for watching!
You just gotta find one of the few places that specializes in Northstar engines. There's a guy in Chicago who does them for $2000 - $2500, does the gaskets and fixes the head bolt issue too which is the real problem.
Anonymous, who is the guy in Chicago that fixes this issue?
You brothers are awesome by the way. Thank you for your help
That is the devils engine right there.
Is the Cadillac STS reliable ? Or does it have the same engine
@@yunga8305 same engine however it is a little more reliable because its designed more for performance and the maintenance and repairs are a little cheaper than the DTs
@@yunga8305 it depends a 2005 STS has a rwd Northstar so it's similar but very different
The problem with the early northstars wasn’t head gaskets per se but the head bolts. GM used a too small diameter bolt with fine threads. The threads in the aluminum block actually come out with the bolt half the time when replacing the head gaskets on these engines. You can get a bolt kit that includes a jig for drilling out and retapping the bolt holes in the early northstar engines. The downside is the easiest way to make this repair, at least on the FWD cars is to drop the cradle with the engine/transaxle/front suspension bolted to it. It’s not as bad as it sounds if you have a lift and a good transmission jack.
Working on that North Star it's not as complicated as so if I ever do an installation I always pull the engine out of the top. 99 you have to remove the blower motor the starter of course the radiator. And you can pull it out top I do them all the time you have enough space.
Got rid of mine. Traded it in for a Lincoln MKS AWD and have never looked back!
you are suppose to drop the engine from below.You also need the head kit from GM to retap the holes and install the inserts and new bolts. I respect you ,I'm not trying to talk down to you.I'm mearly trying to save you time and and have the job done right.
Unfortunately the GM repair kit does not work. It will fail again. You need to install the Northstar Performance kit. Time Certs are just buying time for almost the same money for the Northstar Performance kit.
Great video way more work than I would have thought. Can't wait to see Part 2.
Thanks man! Yeah it's a big deal, and these cars aren't exactly easy to work on in general lol. But it's a fun project. Stay tuned!
2016 on a 2005 deville I did change head ,timing chain kit ,gaskets ,to save money i got the head from junkyard ,the other parts were new ,all because broken guides, never found the camshaft position tool for Lee’s than $500 so I made my own , I was fun doing it by myself
One more question. Would it be easier and/or possible to lift the engine up in the air to work on it or ????
Humbling video! Thanks for the great watch. Do you know if the 2010 dts gas the same setup & issues?
Geez, this job is toooo crazy 🤣🤦♂️
ambitious project for a kid your age, very cool
Good job, good video!
Thank you! Appreciate it :)
What was that turkey basting thing and blue liquid called?
It's called a "block tester"!
Channel C.G.E. Thank you.
You guys rock! 💥✅
so much easier to raise the car up off of the front chassis and just do the heads and thread inserts right there on the floor.
pedal jack the brake pedal half way down and cut the brake line on the r/s and raise the body up. way less time and a lot easier and safer way to do it.
I'm thinking about purchasing a 2011 DTS..which is the last year it was made..with a little over a 100k miles on it. Is this head gasket repair something I will need to do soon due to the mileage? Or do you think this issue was resolved by the 2011 model? And do you really feel the air conditioning coming from the seats..or is it too weak to notice? Thanks for any help with this as I'm a bit nervous purchasing this car after seeing your video due to not wanting huge repair bills.
Hey! My advice would be to be extra careful to check for any over heating issues before you buy the car, even perform a block test like we did if it was possible. If you ended up buying the car, take extra care to watch the coolant temp and make sure it NEVER overheats, and maybe even flush the coolant regularly. I've seen many people that take very very good care of their DTS have it run for 200,000+ miles without these sort of issues... but anyways, good luck and thanks for watching!
Dont I bought a 08 in 2012 100000 mile head gasket is blown . Just advice take it or leave it.
I thought Cadillac finally fixed the head gasket issues that plagued the deville's when they switched the name to DTS??
Not all of them anyways lol! It seems if you take good care of them and make sure they don't overheat and flush the coolant regularly they can go forever without an issue. Not this one haha! Thanks for watching!!
I still say your best bet for a reliable used luxury car is the Lexus LS 430. THOSE THINGS ARE TANKS.
+TruAgape1234 -I used to think the same thing too about the Lexus LS 430..and while it's true it's motor seems bulletproof..it's all the other stuff around it that seems to break down as often as other cars..such as the Nav screen..parking sensors..adjusting headlight..etc. I know this because I am shopping for one and reading the information the Lexus service shops put into their systems when the cars come in for repairs..and the cost of repairs is REALLY scary. This info doesn't show up on Carfax..it only shows up in the Lexus service history when you put in the VIN number. After seeing the cost for these repairs..I decided to look into the DTS which is why I'm here. However..it seems like the DTS isn't any better judging from this video. Although I have a feeling the repairs would be cheaper with the DTS since it's an American car which should mean cheaper parts and labor..hopefully.
Nightbird
Check consumer reports. Those Ls430's are still showing MUCH BETTER THAN AVERAGE, their highest rating. Much more reliable than many new cars.
@douglas ruopp Yup..they recommend replacing the Timing Belt and Water Pump around the same time. However I'm probably going to get a Hyundai Equus instead since it's so loaded yet has a low price due to it not selling well.
Dudes a beast who's doing the work he hasnt bitched or complained once.. not too bad of a job if your a mechanic especially with those cam tools
While this is the hardest way of doing an overhaul I'm admiring your percevirance
Perseverance
Are you the same ornery kid that was hot rodding this car in another video? LOL Just kidding. You know your stuff. Thanks for sharing this great repair video
Haha! Yep, it was probably me. I'm learning one piece at a time, love spending time with the cars! Thank you, and thanks for watching!
From everything I researched the DTS 2006 + models had the head gasket issue resolved. Too bad for yours!
Tbats What I Was Told Also, I Just had to Comment and ask that question.. I Had the Chance to Buy a 2002 Deville. AND a 2002 Eldorado AND I Pass on them Deals Because I was SCARED to Death of That Problem And Was Told 2006 And Later The Issues Were Fixed, Now Im Seeing this WOW !!
This looks like way too much fun for me!
I thought the 2006 Northstar Engines had the better LS6 studs for the head bolts. Supposed to be way more durable?!?
That's what I thought. Because I have N.S. in my 05 Bonneville
Nice job
I thought you had to drop the motor to do headgaskets on these northstars????
If you had a car like this with good head gasket or not blown , would you change it ? Would it cost any less ?
did you have both heads checked for cracks ?
We looked them over ourselves initially and we debated having them sent to a machine shop but, in our case, they were visually in very good condition so we decided they were ok.
good call.
Would it help any if I remove the good of my car ???
excellent video. i look forward to the next videos in this series!
Thanks man! I promise, the next videos will have, as the song says, "a little less talk and a lot more action" lol. And hopefully not 17 mins long. Thanks for watching!!
At what mileage did it fail and why do you think it happened?
Thanks guys 👍🏾
Your brother appears to have a lot of mechanical knowledge. Does he do this work for a living ? I liked this video very much,
good luck with the repairs.
Yes! He is a diesel mechanic for a living, and he seems to know his stuff! I take advantage quite often lol. Thanks!!
I would too, if I had the opportunity.
I have a question , I have a 1999 Eldorado w/ only 90,000 miles and have owned it for several years .It now overheats, I tested it with the dye and it passed every time. I have changed the water pump, and thermostat, also flushed it. Still overheats, What else could it be ? Am I missing something ? I would really appreciate you and Bry's opinion. Thank you in advance.
Joseph M did you ever figure it out
im trying to time a 2000 4.6 Eldorado the over head cams where do the pins on the cams need to be top or bottom ? and what letters goes on them pins
Umm OK So Somebody Help me out here... The Main Reason that These Engines Always Suffers Head Gasket Issues is Because of the Bolts From The Heads get Stripped and Give way So Ive been told.. I Also Was Told That in the Later Years Like THIS Year here That The Issue was Resolved in All Cadillacs from 2006 OR 2007 To The Last Year they were made. So Im Confused
The northstars in the early 90s are supposedly the worst. 97 to 99 are the most common to fail. In 05, GM finally installed proper sized head bolts. The common problem was that the bolts were too short and thin and were set in an aluminum block which in turn creates a ticking time bomb. This failure is inevitable but you CAN prevent the failure by limiting the vehicle to grocery getting and not using as a daily. Also, keep an eye on temps and try not to drive on hot days lol. In the sense, it's not a real head gasket failure as the bolts giving out allows coolant to leak, which people then associate the symptoms with a head gasket failure.
@@scott-nd1js Thanks For That INFO,, GM Should be Ashamed of Themselves, THEY Should have Recalled All THEM VEHICLES.. Because That was Their Fault..
@@kaharold you're damn right they should have.
@@scott-nd1js YEP..
@@scott-nd1js so they did fix the issue in 05s and later?
So for me I don't know if it's my head gasket because I got the head gasketReplace alreadybut I'll be seeing smoke come from the driver side under the hood sometimes and only when like the engine is warming up or not warm up but like when it's overheatingAndSometimes thecoolant bubbles when I park the car
Yeah, head gaskets big problem on these vehicles. Had the same prob myself on one of the two I had. I think there’s a stud kit for them
Thanks guys.i never worked on a Cadillac before, I have a chance to buy a 2000 Cadillac DST for 800 bucks with some badass tires an rims. Anyways the car overheats an my hb is tired of it plus he has two other vehicles.
Congratulations for the hard work and video !
Is it possible to put a 2nd hand reliable engine ( lexus or acura ) in that cadillac ?
Why a prestige make as cadillac make that unreliable engines ?
I have had during 12 years a 2nd hand car, a lexus ls 400 with 383.000 km now ( + 200.000 miles ) and I haven't had engine problems; it's runs smooth.
Thank you!! I'm sure with enough time and money anything can be done lol! I don't know what it is about these Caddies, they had some interesting quirks, but they really are nice cars. Definitely not as long term reliable as a lexus or acura! Good luck with yours!
Channel C.G.E. Thank you !
If I have the mechanical talent you have ( I love cars, specially americans, but I don't understand anything about mechanic ) I will go to Cadillac corporation ( is it in Detroit ? ) and I will explain the CEO what they should have to do to prevent those mechanical problems and maybe I will also open a business to repair that unreliable northstar engines.
Enjoy your Cad !
This is a prime example of why general mtrs is in a death spiral. I owned one...a complete steaming pile of unfixable shit. 44 thousand bucks went bye bye
How much labor cost ?
Someone’s selling me a 2008 dts for 500$ he said it’s running rough right now and is blowing white smoke what do you think it could be? Most likely a cracked head or could it be an oil leak ?
white smoke is coolant, it's 100% a head gasket or cracked head or cracked block or they wouldn't be selling it so cheap
That coolant should have been changed too the yellow stuff can’t wait too see the inside of that engine
I figured this year of Northstar would had been corrected with the head gaaket
Better you all than me!
Haha!! At least we don't have a particular time it has to be done, so we can take our time and have fun with it. Thanks for watching!
Lol
Soo what's the name of the coolet tool thoe bro
Cool video!
Thanks! Appreciate it!
I just uploaded a video and my 2001 Deville turned the fluid green.
Does anyone else find it interesting that he's talking about how to fix a Cadillac while wearing a Ford shirt? 😂
It was owned by Ford at one point
Cadillac was never owned by Ford, however, the truth is far more interesting. Henry Ford founded the Henry Ford Company in 1901 but he didn't get along very well with his financial backers and, soon after, he left. Not long after, those guys brought in an engineer named Henry M. Leland for an appraisal of the plant. Instead, Leland partnered with them, and the Henry Ford Company was reorganized as the Cadillac Automobile Company. Meantime, Henry Ford had founded the Ford Motor Company. ( Note: Here the first Cadillac side by side with the first Ford - i.imgur.com/1rptN7m.jpg )
how many miles on the car at the time ?
I believe 95,000.
is the headgaskets fix now?
Almost! We have everything pretty much done now. Part 2 and 3 are out and 4 should be out very soon! :)
+Channel C.G.E. that's pretty awesome you're a champ for not having to pull the engine to replace headgaskets that's like unheard of for the northstar dude
+BigBee5tinger Thanks! It would have been a lot easier to just take it out and do it all, but hey ya gotta live and learn haha!
Not too long, NOT long enough - a little disappointing that the intake manifold removal wasn't shown, instead of a cut scene to "Now it's magically gone, and the work is proceeding to something else..."
But still, thanks for showing what you have.
I have the same Ford shirt :D
Very cool!! #fordsquad lol
Awesome.
Thanks!
I thought it was weak head bolts not the head gasket?
I would have pulled that motor for that amount of work needed to get those heads out ...
wow awesome
Thanks! :)
Fixes the head gaskets and three years later same problem lol fuck that north star engine especially if it was made in 97,98,99 get rid of it asap
Period
I just bought a 99 with no idea what I was getting myself into 😢.
You can also heat the car up by driving as close to normal as possible, and let it cool off overnight or longer, and when you crack open the overfill tank, if it has pressure cold... Head gasket needs to be done... My buddy has the same issue with his 2001 Deville... Tried to tell him not to buy it. Cadillacs were built like shit ever since this engine debuted
This car was modeled after a German made car. Battery under the back seat. vented outside.
This reminds me of forensic files episode when a woman use a turkey baster with anti freeze to kill her husband.Love my cadillacs
Haha!!
Channel C.G.E. Keep up the good work
I have 2008 DTS
Congratulations. You guys just wasted time and money by not fixing the real problem. The head bolts. If you did anything other then I stall the Northstar Performance kit, you completely wasted your time. A little research can be very beneficial.
Nice family and all but some of us really want to learn. Mom stay in the house and use a tripod just too much talking 😢
Scary job 😑
Buick Lucerne V8 has that problem
mine shakes at highway speeds, nobody can figure it out...
Interesting you say that, I was just talking to someone recently who is having that same issue and can't figure it out... good luck!
broken stabilizer suspension bar
JAY F. Its tight and not broken
JAY F. Has this happened to you or are you just taking a guess?
yeah, will fix this summer-iron tite worked for month
Head bolt failure.
I have a 2007 dts & I did the diagnostics on it & it showed mass air flow sensor...i bought the mass air flow sensor got it put on by professionals & my engine light is still on & I noticed if I'm sitting still in traffic my temp hand goes up but if I'm steady riding it is at normal....Can anyone tell me why?
And that car would be at the junkyard
Is a shame, because no show how he did to remove the cover of valve, normally you need remove the water pump pulley with a special tool, before and the little Cam Shaft's gasket and missed show removing the anti freeze's reservoir to make disconnection in the very bottom the last head gasket with Engine Hoister, because if you just pull with Engine Hoister like you show on the video damage the electronic plug in the bottom, so that's video show a lot stuff, but not the real important to make this job and missed show how he did the Head Bolts torque too, normally you make with angle torque wrench.... But that's ok helps little bit and enjoy too....
So Even the northstar in the 2011 Cadillac dts trash?
Im Trying to figure that out as Well
Mc001Rem002 no, I would say the ‘08-‘11 are the most reliable you can get in the northstar
What kind of idiot works on a Cadillac wearing a Ford shirt? Just kidding buddy. Good work.
Hahaha I was wondering when somebody would notice that! Thanks for watching :D
Lol 😂.... 🤦🏽♀️💙
It's a pitty a prestigious brand like cadillac having that problems with the head gaskets.. I have a 96 lexus ls 400, 396.000 km and no mechanical problems.. What a bad quality gm products ...
Yeah... it is a shame that the Northstar engines and the picky issues they did, when they’re in good shape they run great and have a lot of power and a beautiful exhaust note. Oh well!
I agree 100% Cadillac has gone to the dogs wow no problems with your overseas made vehicle WOW!! Don't buy Cadillac's who needs problems Gm. an't crap
SO I Thought THEY Fixed The Head Gasket Issue With the Bolt Thread After 2005??
I thought they did too.
Even if they did, the 2006 and after Northstar engines have oil leaks that are just as expensive as head gasket repairs.
I’m sorta depressed now, because I wanted to buy one. Now I worried about it again.
On a website called “car complaints” there are many people that have reported smelling toxic oil fumes leaking into the interior.
It’s really sad at how pathetic the reliability of the Northstar engine truly is.
Do NOT buy one if you can’t afford/don’t want to fix it. Those reports come in as early as 20k miles. It is a ticking time bomb even if nothing is wrong.
Some people might get 200k+ miles, but the majority of people have to junk them because of the repair price.
@@mrbigbigtoe WOW, Thank you For Commenting Back Because I Was Going to go Buy One, Get One Financed AND You Save me a Bunch of Headache.. Reason Why Because Hearing AND Reading Peoples Comments about THEY had No Issues and They Go Over 200 OR 300 k Miles.. BUT as You Stated MAJORITY of People, Probably The Lower Class To The Middle Class People have to Junk them because of The Money Issues.. I just Cant Get over the Fact that THESE are Perfect Beautiful Cars on The Outside AND The Inside BUT When it Comes to The Engine Its Completely Garbage, AND The Design of the Engine.. That's Just Ridiculous BUT anyhoo Thanks Again, I Wont Never buy This Car OR any car With This Engine in it, I'm Going and Buy The Most Dependable Reliable Luxury Car AND That's a Lincoln Town Car, I Was in A Debate Between THIS Car And The Lincoln Town Car AND Thanks to you I just Made My Choice..
Northstar engines are trash
I bought a 2001 Deville for $375 from a police impound one year ago. I got it so cheap because the transmission was bad. I have videos of this car on my channel. It ran hot but I stopped the engine as soon as I saw it was in the red. I didn't keep driving until I got to the next exit. This is the reason so many people blow the head gasket or crack the heads. They drive the car while the engine is hot. All aluminum engines die quickly when they run hot.
The reason it ran hot was because the water pump belt tensioner pulley broke. After fixing this. I realize the radiator was cracked from the engine running hot. After replacing the radiator. The engine then started to pump out coolant. I thought it had a blown head gasket but a Napa shop said it only needed a water pump.
Now 4 months later it started to run hot again. Again I thought it was a BHG but it was just a plugged water purge tube. I just uploaded a video on how to fix that.
@@blackericdenice Did you know caddy's have a built in "LIMP MODE"? It protects the engine when it gets hot.
Camera man misses a lot of important details. Field of view is way off sometimes. I'm looking to try this on my Northstar but I'll be looking for a better video. If you do another video get a different camera person.
3:40 women lol aka shecanics
How many miles are on this car?