Cadillac Northstar/Hybrid

Cadillac Northstar

GUARANTEED

CARS WITH THE NORTHSTAR ENGINE: 1993-20010 Cadillac ** 2008-2010 Buick Lucerne Super ** 2004-2005 Pontiac Bonneville GXP ** 2006-2007 Buick Lucerne CXS ** 1995-2003 Oldsmobile Aurora **1999-2005 Shelby Series 1 ** 1999-2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue

A Northstar Air Bleeder Kit is included in all repairs.

The Cadillac Northstar rarely exhibits typical blown head gasket symptoms The most common symptoms for a Northstar, are unexplained coolant loss & overheating. Often there is no white smoke from the exhaust, no water in the oil.The more extreme cases show white smoke – which can still be repaired.

HISTORY

The Northstar engine features a die-cast aluminum block and aluminum heads. The Northstar was designed to produce more power to compete with BMW, MBZ, and new luxury cars like Lexus & Acura. Installed in Cadillac's and other models from 1993 to 2010.

CONS

Coolant system problems have plagued the Northstar engine because of some design flaws that have never been corrected.

Over time the steel head bolts and the threads in the aluminum block will begin to “stretch” and the head will seperate from the block, usually around 100,000 miles.
The design of the thermostat housing also contributes to the overheating problems.

NORTHSTAR

Often when a Northstar overheats, a mechanic checks the cooling system and finds nothing wrong. With no clear indication as to what’s causing the overheating problem, a mechanic may suggest replacing various cooling system components, like a radiator, water pump or thermostat. Eventually, the coolant starts disappearing again and the overheating returns. If this sounds familiar, it is time to get a proper diagnosis. An experienced Thermalweld technician can provide the fastest and most cost-effective solution to your problem.

HEAD BOLTS

NORTHSTAR

Let us help you properly diagnose your Cadillac’s overheating problem and ultimately determine if you have a head gasket problem. To repair the head bolt problem requires a complete teardown, rethreading the holes & replacing the head bolts. Some repair shops refuse to replace a Northstar head gasket, the ones that will, the starting price is $2,400 up to $4,500. Many suggest “just replace the engine”. Replacing the engine is in the $6,000 to $7,000 range.

Custom Hybrid Formula

Thermalweld has developed a head gasket repair solution for all hybrid engines. The solution has a thinner viscosity for hybrids.

A blown head gasket in a Gen. 3 Prius usually is not the result of an overheating problem. The problem comes from what is known as “liner thermal expansion” in layman’s terms the engine is turning on and off multiple times during use. Every time it reaches operating temperature the block and head expand from the heat. Eventually the head gasket gives way due to the multiple thermal cycles.

Gen.3 Prius (2010 to 2015)
Symptoms of a blown head gasket in a Prius 2ZR engine:
Morning engine shakes that eventually clear up after driving a little.
Loss of power.
Loss of coolant.
Check engine light - Code P0301 (misfire)

Other causes of the morning shakes could be fouled spark plugs, dirty injectors, or a carbon clogged EGR valve, BUT if there is coolant loss, it is a blown head gasket.

Continued driving a Prius with a blown head gasket could cause a hydro locked engine, resulting in a bent piston rod.
See the images (below) showing a bent rod, and a rod breaking through the side of the 2ZR engine block.

Ideal Head Gasket Repair has a proven method & a superior solution.

Repair Video