Northstar Help

[94SilverSSEi]

Can anyone give me just the basics about a Northstar
Ive hearf they can be really good if taken care of and something about putting too much oil in
The car im looking at is a 98 DEville is that helps at all
Also I have heard that the intake or something about that leaks

I need some help looking at a car with 115k on the clock and am wondering how good these engines are

I have also heard to stay away from them unless they are under 100k but then there are the believers that they are very good strong engines

Please Help
Thanks

[94SilverSSEi]

Bump......Anyone

[blubyu]

No issues with mine @ 95K miles.

[CincyGXP]

The Northstars are very reliable engines. I would make sure on your year (98) that the rear main seal has been resealed, if it's leaking. Other than that, these engines will last many miles.

[2.3 turbocoupe]

The main thing I am aware of is they are somewhat prone to headgasket failures. There was an improvement in the head bolts in 2003 I think. Some of the older ones had blocks that were porus and could leak oil, you might watch out for that as well, and should be easy to spot if it is present.

[Jim W]

Head bolt improvment was made in the 00, 01 MY

[GXP Venom]

Yes, and the headbolts really haven't been an issue since, other than you dont want to severely overheat any all aluminum engine. But the tales live on 115,000 miles is a bit to a older northstar regardless. They are not a 3800. And the retail price of a 97 Caddy should reflect that. Any maintenance or repairs not done by yourself is expensive.

[2.3 turbocoupe]

Not sure what was changed in 00, 01, but I checked on it and they changed the headbolts in 2004. Went to a coarse thread (about 1/2 the threadcount). Not sure if that change helped any, but the bolts are quite different. Either way, a 98 Northstar engine was prior to either of those changes and they have more than their share of HG failures, even the ones that are babied.

[GXP Venom]

Ya, I did a writeup about it long ago in another Forum, and cant remember the year, but it was well after '97. "Squeeze cast" technology also hardened the block so the tapped holes are stronger, but that wasnt that long ago either.