Cadillac & LaSalle Club Discussion Forum

Cadillac & LaSalle Club Forums => Technical / Authenticity => Topic started by: okccadman on June 25, 2010, 11:30:58 PM

Title: Northstar Head Gasket Repair
Post by: okccadman on June 25, 2010, 11:30:58 PM
I hate to bring this up but has anyone here ever tried the "miracle" liquid head gasket repair by Heal-a-Seal?  They say they have a special formula for Northstars.  At $185 shipped, its expensive but lots cheaper than a dealer repair.  I was advised not to try a helicoil repair on my 02 with 305,000 but thought it my be worth a try before engine replacement.  It does have a money back guarantee lol.  Anyone tried it?  www.heal-a-seal.com
Title: Re: Northstar Head Gasket Repair
Post by: Mike Josephic CLC #3877 on June 25, 2010, 11:50:43 PM
You may want to save yourself some money and check up on this product here:

http://www.complaints.com/directory/2005/july/25/32.htm

The old saying is "If it sounds too good to be true -- it usually is".  Apparently, the
stuff doesn't work as advertised which is no surprise to me.  I spent years in the
chemical business selling raw materials to companies making auto chemicals including
many types of stop leak additives.  You would be amazed at what they put in this stuff.

Some work for minor radiator leaks (temporary measure) but for a problem like
yours, you'll have to bite that bullet and get it repaired.

Good luck with your problem,

Mike
Title: Re: Northstar Head Gasket Repair
Post by: TJ Hopland on June 26, 2010, 12:04:16 AM
IF you have any symptoms of a head gasket problem there is only one way to fix it and the only part of the fix that is in a can is the beer you are going to drink while you are waiting for the new head gasket (and thread inserts) to be installed.

The thread repair kit for the Northstars from a place called Timesert.  The come up on ebay from time to time, many of them 'used once'.  The kits come with enough inserts for several engines and the inserts themselves are not that special so the are fairly cheap.  The jigs and the bits are the special parts and since its all aluminum someone would have to be real abusive to hurt the bits.  Having a kit is a must if you plan to take anything apart on one of those engines.  Even if you get it apart and there are still threads there wont be when you try and put it back together.  With the kit the inserts are the easiest part of the whole repair.  There is a few different kits for different jobs and vintages.  They come with stepped bits and alignment plates so you can easily do it with a regular hand held drill. I have assisted tearing one of these down / out.   For a modern car its really not that bad especially if you have a few tools.  I have worked on some smaller cars like a Grand Am that was much worse to get the motor out and even worse to work on the motor even out of the car.  Im sure that was not even as bad as it gets.
Title: Re: Northstar Head Gasket Repair
Post by: Guidematic on June 26, 2010, 11:05:08 AM

I really don't think there is such a thing as a mechanic in a can. At least one that works.

The biggest part of the head gasket replacement on these engines is the engine removal. But once the engine is out, you will be amazed at how simple this engine really is. Just follow the procedures to the letter, and it will go back together and have no issues.

I have no experience with these inserts, but I do know they are similar to many other types of insetrs that are commonly used in the trade, such as Heli-Coils. You just have to make sure the hole is properly drilled, which this jig apparently covers. It's really a straight forward operation.

Mike
Title: Re: Northstar Head Gasket Repair
Post by: 76eldo on June 26, 2010, 08:32:31 PM
Goop in a bottle is never a cure.

It's the same thing as having a big 'ol nail in your tire, dumping in a can of fix-a-flat, then going on a family vacation on the highway.

It will fail.  Honestly, I am interested in a 2002 to 2005 DTS for weekend leisure driving but I am afraid of getting one that a dealer or wholesaler used that gasket seal crap in.

Cadillac should be ashamed of themselves.  There are TONS of Northstar headgasket failures.  I would trust my 76 or my 80 to run forever with proper care.  Once they started with aluminum and cylinder liners it's been problematic.

Just my opinion.

Brian