Excellent video man. My neighbors just sold their deathstar caddy.....after filling it with water every single morning for a year lol. That head gasket issue is no joke.
Keep up the great work! I'm mainly into DIY stuff on my own vehicle 2015 Camry (Brakes, oil changes, tune ups etc..) and for my dad's 03 Accord. Definitely hard being a pro mechanic, much respect for what you do!
Dad had one for ten years. I guess he was lucky, no major problems. Drove it from Florida to Michigan every year and back. He took care of his cars, when mechanic said it needed something he did it.
One of my most favorite moments was a caddy sls broke down in a parking lot from a bad starter. Some guy was wailing under it telling the person to start it then I finally came over and asked what was happening. They turned the key heard the sounds and asked what he is doing. Peeked under to see the guy wailing on all sort of things with a brass hammer. Told him good luck finding a starter under the car since it was under the intake manifold.
Electrical tape is your best friend on the socket at the 1st extension that way it doesn't come apart and you have to dig the spark plug socket out it stay together no problem.
The problem with the Northstar was the headbolts. They make a headbolt conversion kit that fixes that so your head gasket doesn't go boom and eats the bearings.
Subscribed a couple months ago! I’ve learned so much from your vids! Notice you use a lot of silicone spray on different jobs , can you make a quick short explaining where and where it’s not safe to use it ? Thank you and god bless 🙏🏻
This “head gasket” issue isn’t a head gasket problem, it’s a head bolt problem they corrode and come out no matter if you timesert/helicoil them. The only fix is by this company called “Northstar Performance” they sell the “Suregrip” stud kit. I’m rebuilding an engine to swap into my 97 Deville. It fixes the oil leak problems and head stud fail once and for all. Highly recommend if you have a nice classic Northstar car
Im pretty sure after the tuneup the egr tube was broken, car still miss firing because of cracked coils , and those were the most clean coil boots ever , everyone that has worked on one of those engines knows what im talking about
Here's a tip having owned a Northstar motor, while the coils are out check for cracks around the tips. Both of mine had cracks which caused my car to go into limp mode from random misfires on the highway.
@@RoadsideRescue I own an 04 Deville, and an 03 Oldsmobile Aurora, the cabin filter is on the passenger side just below the wiper, 2 little plastic tabs and pop the cover off, you then slide the whole cartridge out, replace the filter and slide the whole cartridge back in, tad tricky but easy as pie, and no tools required! Collectively both of my Northstars have 562,000 miles between the two, and have been FLAWLESS! Only had to replace the water pump belt tensioner pulley on my Aurora.
@@RoadsideRescue No problem! I've owned a couple of Northstars myself. Rebuilt one with NorthStar Performance head studs after the headgaskets went. I really enjoy your videos.
ugh, last old Cadillac I worked on had a dozen codes, all for sensors, and a "5v ref circuit low" code - all that leaking oil made the insulation soft on the 5v wire to the A/C high-pressure switch, and it rubbed through on the A/C lines. The old beast would stall at stop lights. AND it had a bad intake coupling (Dorman 911-010). What a kick in the nads.
since i started doing diy on my car, family cars, and friends car, i became a tool addict, lookin for sweet deals on tekton, harborfreight, gearwrench, etc tools
Like the vids wish you lived closer to me I have a 02 just replaced one fan you can drive it 20 miles and it overheats I'm gonna try to put another fan on it it has the v6 much love from Tennessee
if it continues rent a "block test" and ;look into that. could be a water pump thats worn out as well. or a few things but i would do a block test to assure ymyself it isnt anything crazy!
Pro Tips: Later, after work- 2 drops crazy glue in the rubber insert on a plug socket. Dielectric grease the inside of rubber. It will help prevent cracking of porcelain. Quick wrap of tape holds tools together (socket to extension). Any part like that coil- put it's fasteners in place, then paper mask tape over hole, captivating fastener. When replacing part, install, tool push through or remove tape one at a time. no blind searching, dropping screws/bolts/nuts. Great advice about the difference of brake and electrical cleaner! BPC melts plastics.
My neighbors have a '98 DeVille for sale with 48k on the clock. These engines require maintenance and are not as robust as an LS engine when you neglect them...
It’s such a slow leak it’s not likely going to fill up soon. But it will not foul them out. It can insulate and saturate the boot causing a misfire would be the short term concern.
Ernest, just had a thought have you tried a little silicone spray on the spark plug socket with the boot to prevent it from sticking? I haven’t but wondering if you have..
Hey Ernest quick question. Will a bad key stop the car feom getting ANY POWER TO THE STARTER AT ALL??? no clicking got all lights have 12.6 volt in battery but starter doesent click or do nothing when i turn key
@@RoadsideRescue thanks for they reply my friend! It was my ignition switch i have a 09 saturn sky turbo and it seems to be a common issue with these cars anyway.... Thank u for the reply keep up the great videos my friend
WHOA! Just began a job on the same motor in an Eldorado, cylinder 7 misfire, car has 224k on it (insane right?). Had to stop the job because the coil pack wouldn't budge. Had to get okay on the 185.00 coil pack if it should break. And, is there not a massive amount of the EGR system on the rear valve cover on the Deville? BTW if you haven't done an ECT sensor on one of these lovely engines you are lucky. Dont harm the ground near same ECT sensor or the car will go into theft. Guess how I know.
GM says it is interference. The Northstar timing chain system does not have a service interval and is very reliable with regular oil changes. Most of the early Deathstars died of head gaskets. The head bolt threads in the block were small and fine and would often pull out before 100k. In 2005 (i believe)they upped the bolt size and lowered the thread pitch to grip better but the timing chain and components will still outlast the rest of the engine probably.
I hate changing cabin air filters. Had to change mine and that was a huge pain getting the new one in. Previous owner looked like they put in a smaller size one just because the correct size one for my car is a tight fit. (Bought my car used, 2014 nissan rogue s)
Not any more, spark plugs now come with coating for peotection and easy removal so you no longer need to put anti-seize but you can confirm the information with the spark plug manufacturer.
@@jotareye1838 Even with the factory coating they can still be hard to get out. If you use anti seize just remember to torque them 20% less than what is required.
@@ppeterson9359 I was thinking to myself, I've worked on cars my whole life and never seen loctite on plugs lol. So yeah he probably meant anti seize, made by that brand
Loctite or anti-seize? You said Loctite, flashed anti-seize on the video, but then said it could increase the chance of stripping out the threads, which unless I'm missing something anti-seize shouldn't do. Just a brain fart trying to work and talk at the same time?
![ALLY - OH MY! [ REACTION ] 'Amarin Nitibhon' #ALLY_OHMY #ALLY #allynitibhon #แอลลี่](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/nX9qpHjVfbQ/mqdefault.jpg)
We had a guy who was a master at these engines. He loved them for some reason
Excellent video man. My neighbors just sold their deathstar caddy.....after filling it with water every single morning for a year lol. That head gasket issue is no joke.
Keep up the great work! I'm mainly into DIY stuff on my own vehicle 2015 Camry (Brakes, oil changes, tune ups etc..) and for my dad's 03 Accord. Definitely hard being a pro mechanic, much respect for what you do!
Love the channel man! This is my first year starting as self-employed and content like yours is truly inspirational.
How’s it been ? I’m thinking about going out on my own too
Dad had one for ten years. I guess he was lucky, no major problems. Drove it from Florida to Michigan every year and back. He took care of his cars, when mechanic said it needed something he did it.
One of my most favorite moments was a caddy sls broke down in a parking lot from a bad starter. Some guy was wailing under it telling the person to start it then I finally came over and asked what was happening. They turned the key heard the sounds and asked what he is doing. Peeked under to see the guy wailing on all sort of things with a brass hammer. Told him good luck finding a starter under the car since it was under the intake manifold.
LOL That is so funny LET GO BRANDON 😷 😷 😷 😷 😷
2000 was 21 years ago! Jeez that makes me feel old!!
It’s crazy!
Wow thanks for the tutorial on how to do a tune up on a Northstar engine...I am supposed to do one on one of those car soon... thanks
Love your videos it’s kind of relaxing watching your videos. Howdy from Texas
Huddy from Texas. What part are you from? I’m also from Texas
Thanks Texas! :)
Love so much your video thank you so much from Morocco 🌞
Electrical tape is your best friend on the socket at the 1st extension that way it doesn't come apart and you have to dig the spark plug socket out it stay together no problem.
Love your videos, thank you!
Thank you for watching! :)
The problem with the Northstar was the headbolts. They make a headbolt conversion kit that fixes that so your head gasket doesn't go boom and eats the bearings.
The sweater looks great.
Great Videos Ernest..but you have to get yourself a magnetic nut bolt tray, for me it saved a lot of headaches trying to find bolt I dropped.
I left my favorite one under the hood of a truck.
Subscribed a couple months ago! I’ve learned so much from your vids! Notice you use a lot of silicone spray on different jobs , can you make a quick short explaining where and where it’s not safe to use it ? Thank you and god bless 🙏🏻
Thanks for another great video, Ernest!
Get locking Extensions they help with that spark plug socket getting stuck concern , gearwrench and Sunex some decent sets
This “head gasket” issue isn’t a head gasket problem, it’s a head bolt problem they corrode and come out no matter if you timesert/helicoil them. The only fix is by this company called “Northstar Performance” they sell the “Suregrip” stud kit. I’m rebuilding an engine to swap into my 97 Deville. It fixes the oil leak problems and head stud fail once and for all. Highly recommend if you have a nice classic Northstar car
Good to know about that specific kit. I hope to not do one but if so I’ll look em up.
@@RoadsideRescue huge job but it’s not bad
Thank you Earnest. Righty tighty lefty loosey.
¡Paz contigo!
When he dropped the valve cover bolts 😳😳😳
another job well done that looks like it could have turned into a night mare quite easily good show keep safe
Im pretty sure after the tuneup the egr tube was broken, car still miss firing because of cracked coils , and those were the most clean coil boots ever , everyone that has worked on one of those engines knows what im talking about
Good job Earnest
Always a great video and very good work my man! I hope you and your family are doing good and I wish you’s the best of health
Thank you Zack! We are well! I hope you’re good too!
Those engines were the worst....maybe not as bad as the Chrysler 2.7 ltre...but still pretty bad. Excellent work Ernest.
Job Well done
Here's a tip having owned a Northstar motor, while the coils are out check for cracks around the tips. Both of mine had cracks which caused my car to go into limp mode from random misfires on the highway.
Cabin air filter on these cars is accessible from under the hood. There is a plastic flap on the cowl for servicing the filter.
Good to know. Wish I knew that sooner! Thanks!
@@RoadsideRescue google is a thing lol.
@@BigBoyNowYT and hindsights 20/20
@@RoadsideRescue I own an 04 Deville, and an 03 Oldsmobile Aurora, the cabin filter is on the passenger side just below the wiper, 2 little plastic tabs and pop the cover off, you then slide the whole cartridge out, replace the filter and slide the whole cartridge back in, tad tricky but easy as pie, and no tools required! Collectively both of my Northstars have 562,000 miles between the two, and have been FLAWLESS! Only had to replace the water pump belt tensioner pulley on my Aurora.
@@RoadsideRescue No problem! I've owned a couple of Northstars myself. Rebuilt one with NorthStar Performance head studs after the headgaskets went. I really enjoy your videos.
Cabin air filter is in the windshield cowl accessible from underneath the hood.
ugh, last old Cadillac I worked on had a dozen codes, all for sensors, and a "5v ref circuit low" code - all that leaking oil made the insulation soft on the 5v wire to the A/C high-pressure switch, and it rubbed through on the A/C lines. The old beast would stall at stop lights. AND it had a bad intake coupling (Dorman 911-010). What a kick in the nads.
since i started doing diy on my car, family cars, and friends car, i became a tool addict, lookin for sweet deals on tekton, harborfreight, gearwrench, etc tools
Like the vids wish you lived closer to me I have a 02 just replaced one fan you can drive it 20 miles and it overheats I'm gonna try to put another fan on it it has the v6 much love from Tennessee
if it continues rent a "block test" and ;look into that. could be a water pump thats worn out as well. or a few things but i would do a block test to assure ymyself it isnt anything crazy!
Head gasket nightmares
You could use a rubber hose to install the spark plugs, then a standard deep well socket to tighten.
Pro Tips:
Later, after work- 2 drops crazy glue in the rubber insert on a plug socket. Dielectric grease the inside of rubber. It will help prevent cracking of porcelain. Quick wrap of tape holds tools together (socket to extension).
Any part like that coil- put it's fasteners in place, then paper mask tape over hole,
captivating fastener. When replacing part, install, tool push through or remove tape
one at a time. no blind searching, dropping screws/bolts/nuts.
Great advice about the difference of brake and electrical cleaner! BPC melts plastics.
Great stuff!
0:24 ! The Death Star Engine ? That's a good one.
Thanks👍
My neighbors have a '98 DeVille for sale with 48k on the clock. These engines require maintenance and are not as robust as an LS engine when you neglect them...
Those North Star engines are notorious for head gasket failures.
If the valve cover gasket was leaking oil onto the spark plugs what was the point in replacing the plugs lol
I totally agree with you. If it's still leaking oil into the spark plug wells then it's just going to foul them out
It’s such a slow leak it’s not likely going to fill up soon. But it will not foul them out. It can insulate and saturate the boot causing a misfire would be the short term concern.
Ernest, just had a thought have you tried a little silicone spray on the spark plug socket with the boot to prevent it from sticking? I haven’t but wondering if you have..
I don’t on those because it also helps the insert to come out of the socket easier?
I always size antiseize on spark plugs
I use green loctite on all my plugs !
Did you disconnect the battery? I also have a 2000 Cadillac
Gonna do a tune up on the caddie oh damn was a head gasket leak all along sorry I didn't take care of the misfire
Why do you use autozone and not oreilly? Better quality thru oreilly and their brake pads make 0 noise
Like your videos! Good content! How many miles is on that North Star ?
I didn’t check. But I have one other video coming on it. Where we look at the dash so maybe we can tell from there!
If I remember correctly. They put the starter under the intake, for those engines. Stupid place for it.
Just like the Nissan titans from 04-15 not sure on the newer models.
Yes they did and a real pain to get to 🤪🤪🤪
Thanks Ernest. Thanks for the Deathstar flashback.
hehe. hope you enjoyed that PTSD jk. theyre fun ones!
Hey Ernest quick question. Will a bad key stop the car feom getting ANY POWER TO THE STARTER AT ALL??? no clicking got all lights have 12.6 volt in battery but starter doesent click or do nothing when i turn key
yes. ive seen it happen a few times. could be a bad ignition switch as well. or park neutral safety.
@@RoadsideRescue thanks for they reply my friend! It was my ignition switch i have a 09 saturn sky turbo and it seems to be a common issue with these cars anyway.... Thank u for the reply keep up the great videos my friend
I keep my gauge on my key ring now
WHOA! Just began a job on the same motor in an Eldorado, cylinder 7 misfire, car has 224k on it (insane right?). Had to stop the job because the coil pack wouldn't budge. Had to get okay on the 185.00 coil pack if it should break. And, is there not a massive amount of the EGR system on the rear valve cover on the Deville? BTW if you haven't done an ECT sensor on one of these lovely engines you are lucky. Dont harm the ground near same ECT sensor or the car will go into theft. Guess how I know.
Oh. Same dude ranting. Cadillac decided 22 gauge wire was sufficient for an auto input like the coolant temp sensor... try to splice that where it is.
Condolences haha. They are fun ones.
The gasket is not the problem but the head bolts.
And the castings.
im sitting here like bro ik you didnt 😂🤣 10:00
Haha
I’ve done north star heads. Saw a 99 Eldo last week w/55K miles. Needs studs. Oof. No fun.
How long have you been a mobile mechanic?
Locktight or never sneeze??
👍👍👍👍
Yeaaaa he meant lock tight 🤣🤣 hook it up with the red
Lock tight and impact.
@@RoadsideRescue yes sir 🤣
Does that Cadilac engine have an interference
valve train.
If the timing chain or belt goes,, do the valves smash into the pistons?
GM says it is interference. The Northstar timing chain system does not have a service interval and is very reliable with regular oil changes. Most of the early Deathstars died of head gaskets. The head bolt threads in the block were small and fine and would often pull out before 100k. In 2005 (i believe)they upped the bolt size and lowered the thread pitch to grip better but the timing chain and components will still outlast the rest of the engine probably.
5:34 would turning it over manually (the crankshaft bolt) do the trick?
I think you need to crank the engine so the oil is blown out. Manually wouldn't have the power.
I could be 100% wrong though
It wouldn’t turn quickly enough to blow it out.
I hate changing cabin air filters. Had to change mine and that was a huge pain getting the new one in.
Previous owner looked like they put in a smaller size one just because the correct size one for my car is a tight fit. (Bought my car used, 2014 nissan rogue s)
Present
you should look into SIL GLYDE a wonderful product use all the time Watch Wes Work is where i heard about it
supposed to use anti seize on spark plug threads, did you?
Not any more, spark plugs now come with coating for peotection and easy removal so you no longer need to put anti-seize but you can confirm the information with the spark plug manufacturer.
@@jotareye1838 Even with the factory coating they can still be hard to get out. If you use anti seize just remember to torque them 20% less than what is required.
sometimes I use anti-seize, sometimes not. I use just a tiny bit and have never altered the torque values.
I think when he was saying ‘I don’t use loctite on sparkplugs...’ he intended to say ‘I don’t use anti-seize...’
@@ppeterson9359 I was thinking to myself, I've worked on cars my whole life and never seen loctite on plugs lol. So yeah he probably meant anti seize, made by that brand
Anti seize.....not lock tight
Have your TH-cam videos gotten you more customers?
So many.
@@RoadsideRescue nice! Your channel is motivating me to do something similar for my mobile mechanic business.
@@dalewahlauto187 i hope it goes well! :)
@@RoadsideRescue thank you. Keep up the good work! 🙇🏼♂️
One of the top 10 worse engines ever made,lol.
That's ac Delco for u.....cheap plugs, no real protection in the package.....
Who uses loctite on sparkplugs? lol
Loctite or anti-seize? You said Loctite, flashed anti-seize on the video, but then said it could increase the chance of stripping out the threads, which unless I'm missing something anti-seize shouldn't do. Just a brain fart trying to work and talk at the same time?
anti seeze. and yes it can incresase the risk of stripping the threads.
@@RoadsideRescue - huh, didn't know that. Only in aluminum??
@@dustintunis9347 i havent heard if there is a distinction... but id assumes you don't have a huge risk in iron unless they weld in. .
FWD V8, what it horrible design idea.
68 Eldorado 472 c.i. One bad bitch.