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2003 CTS Head Gasket

Started by Matt CLC#18621, November 14, 2012, 10:34:05 PM

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Matt CLC#18621

My nephew was gifted a 2003 CTS with 150,000, it needs a head gasket, is it worth replacing or drive to nearest salvage yard? Car is in good condition all highway miles. What is an estimated repair cost?

Thanks,

Matt
CLC# 18621

Gene Beaird

Man, I'd LOVE one of those.  That's a shame the head gasket's blown.  I have no clue what a repair like that would cost, but where a base engine will drop in, a stout LS3 or better will go, making quite a nice-performing ride.

As I understand it, the earlier model CTSs had issues with the differential, there are a couple of recalls and TSBs on them, and premature wearing of the surface treatments in the interior and dash of the car.  Other than that, I don't know of any other issues.  If the car is straight, you might want to try a head gasket replacement, or crate motor replacement and enjoy the car another 150K miles, or so. 

Gene Beaird,
1968 Calais
1979 Seville
Pearland, Texas
CLC Member No. 29873

Dave Shepherd

Key here is, why did it fail, did it overheat and cause this? If so it could be more of an issue than a hd gasket, I would do some research to find out if this is a common problem before making any decisions.

Dan LeBlanc

Bottom line is the car was free and the repairs would likely be less than the cost of going out and buying the car.
Dan LeBlanc
1977 Lincoln Continental Town Car

Guidematic


What engine? the 3.2 or the 3.6? The 3.2 was a leftover from the Catera and was not a particularly good engine, but can be made to run reliably.

But if the rest of the car is good, I would certainly entertain fixing the engine. It can't be all that bad, unless the engine has been trashed by a good cooking or another internal failure. In that case a good engine from the wreckers would suffice.

Mike
1970 Fleetwood Brougham 68169
1985 Eldorado Coupe 6EL57
1988 Eldorado Biarritz 6EL57
1990 Brougham d'Elegance 6DW69
1994 Fleetwood Brougham 6DW69

76eldo

Are you anywhere near PA?  There is a Northstar and Cadillac specialist in Limerick, PA I highly recommend.

Brian
Brian Rachlin
Huntingdon Valley, Pa
I prefer email's not PM's rachlin@comcast.net

1960 62 Series Conv with Factory Tri Power
1970 DeVille Conv
1970 Eldo
1970 Caribu (?) "The Cadmino"
1973 Eldorado Conv Pace Car
1976 Eldorado Conv
1980 Eldorado H & E Conv
1993 Allante with Hardtop (X2)
2008 DTS
2012 CTS Coupe
2017 XT
1956 Thunderbird
1966 Olds Toronado

Matt CLC#18621

Looks like it was just the thermostat?

Matt
CLC # 18621

76eldo

Just the thermostat & completely fixed?  That's great!

Brian
Brian Rachlin
Huntingdon Valley, Pa
I prefer email's not PM's rachlin@comcast.net

1960 62 Series Conv with Factory Tri Power
1970 DeVille Conv
1970 Eldo
1970 Caribu (?) "The Cadmino"
1973 Eldorado Conv Pace Car
1976 Eldorado Conv
1980 Eldorado H & E Conv
1993 Allante with Hardtop (X2)
2008 DTS
2012 CTS Coupe
2017 XT
1956 Thunderbird
1966 Olds Toronado

Matt CLC#18621

Quote from: Matt CLC#18621 on November 14, 2012, 10:34:05 PM
My nephew was gifted a 2003 CTS with 150,000, it needs a head gasket, is it worth replacing or drive to nearest salvage yard? Car is in good condition all highway miles. What is an estimated repair cost?

Thanks,

Matt
CLC# 18621


On Thanksgiving Day, my Godson gifted the 2003 CTS to me; this was his intention when he purchased it!

Matt CLC# 18621