'99 cadillac deville, blown head gasket, engine rebuild/replace advice ?

[robb]

The inlaws own a '99 deville .
Engine started overheating during a trip. They needed to top off coolant
every couple days (1/2 - 1 gallon).
Cadillac dealer says coolant leaking into #1 cylinder and that is causing
the problem (head gasket/crack/etc).

Cadillac dealer says, "put a new engine in it" (~ $6500 total). Cadillac is
not interested or willing to repair the current engine, they just want to
put another engine in.

I was thinking i could just do a top end recondition/rebuild and replace the
head gaskets etc as a favor to save them the $6500 as they would just pay
for the new parts.

**** What i think i know after some research on the web
**** (and could someone please share info or confirm) ...

1. Seems this cadillac engine style has a history of this head gasket
problem?

2. Replacing the head gasket on this car is a **Major PITA** because ;

It is a tight squeeze under the hood
it is an aluminum engine that almost always get some failed/stripped

head threads on
bolt torque down requiring drill and retap with heli-coil insert or
similar.

it is belt driven dohc engine so a pain to get cam timing set up
lotsa bits to pull to get to the head.

3. Almost easier or better to drop the engine and trans together to do the
head rebuild ?
therefore why not just put in a used rebuilt engine and save the time
and labor effort.


Did i miss anything ?

Any recommendations on which path to take ?

Any recommendations for a new/used/rebuilt engine ?

Is there a compatible NON-Aluminum engine that would work in this car ?

Thanks for any helpful advice,
robb

[hls]

I wouldnt expect Cadillac to help on a car this old.

Neither would I put in a "new" engine. I would check the junk yards
and see what I could find in a good used engine. Then I would make
the decision.

This car is not, IMO, worth a lot.

You COULD pull the old engine out and have somebody go through it
and refresh it, but this would cost some money too. And you have no
guarantees.

[robb]

Post by hls
I wouldnt expect Cadillac to help on a car this old.
Neither would I put in a "new" engine. I would check the junk yards
and see what I could find in a good used engine. Then I would make
the decision.
This car is not, IMO, worth a lot.
You COULD pull the old engine out and have somebody go through it
and refresh it, but this would cost some money too. And you have no
guarantees.

Thanks HLS,
for the advice and reply.

With a quick check around and about i can find yard, used, reconditioned or
warranted rebuilt engines from a range of
950 - 2500. But I don't have the resources to do an engine swap (partially
disassemble engine in the car is about it). Local shops are consistent at
around 1750-2500 to swap the engine in this car.

The inlaws do not want to put that much money into anyways.

I was hoping a head gasket replace while engine was in the car to be a
viable cheap alternative.

Thanks again for help,
robb

[hls]

Post by robb

Post by hls
I wouldnt expect Cadillac to help on a car this old.
Neither would I put in a "new" engine. I would check the junk yards
and see what I could find in a good used engine. Then I would make
the decision.
This car is not, IMO, worth a lot.
You COULD pull the old engine out and have somebody go through it
and refresh it, but this would cost some money too. And you have no
guarantees.

Thanks HLS,
for the advice and reply.
With a quick check around and about i can find yard, used, reconditioned
or warranted rebuilt engines from a range of
950 - 2500. But I don't have the resources to do an engine swap (partially
disassemble engine in the car is about it). Local shops are consistent at
around 1750-2500 to swap the engine in this car.
The inlaws do not want to put that much money into anyways.
I was hoping a head gasket replace while engine was in the car to be a
viable cheap alternative.
Thanks again for help,
robb

I agree, Robb. This is too much money to gamble on a car that old. And it
IS a gamble. You never know what you are going to get from a wrecking
yard... And to go in an refresh this engine will cost a good deal of money.

Better to put that money into something dependable and perhaps a bit
newer.

Best of luck to you

[Blue C5]

Post by robb
The inlaws own a '99 deville .
Engine started overheating during a trip. They needed to top off  coolant
every couple days (1/2 - 1 gallon).
Cadillac dealer says coolant leaking into #1 cylinder and that is causing
the problem (head gasket/crack/etc).
Cadillac dealer says, "put a new engine in it" (~ $6500 total). Cadillac is
not interested or willing to repair the current engine, they just want to
put another engine in.
I was thinking i could just do a top end recondition/rebuild and replace the
head gaskets etc as a favor to save them the $6500 as they would just pay
for the new parts.
**** What i think i know after some research on the web
**** (and could someone please share info or confirm)  ...
1. Seems this cadillac engine style has a history of this head gasket
problem?
2. Replacing the head gasket on this car  is a **Major PITA**  because ;
     > It is a tight squeeze under the hood
     > it is an aluminum engine that almost always get some failed/stripped
head threads on
         bolt torque down requiring drill and retap with heli-coil insert or
similar.
      > it is belt driven dohc engine so a pain to get cam timing set up
      > lotsa bits to pull to get to the head.
3. Almost easier or better to drop the engine and trans together to do the
head rebuild ?
   therefore why not just put in a used rebuilt engine and save the  time
and labor effort.
Did i miss anything ?
Any recommendations on which path to take ?
Any recommendations for a new/used/rebuilt engine ?
Is there a compatible NON-Aluminum engine that would work in this car ?
Thanks for any helpful advice,
robb

Robb, The car is worth about $2500-$3500. You didn't specify the
mileage. I would pop off the head, you will see where it is leaking,
clean it up, put some strong plastic steel compound in the groove,
sand it smooth, put in a new head gasket and run it till it fails.
Then junk it. I got several years out of one that was higher
compression than the Deville. Bob Drake 2000 Seville

[robb]

Post by Blue C5

Post by robb
The inlaws own a '99 deville .
Engine started overheating during a trip. They needed to top off coolant
every couple days (1/2 - 1 gallon).
Cadillac dealer says coolant leaking into #1 cylinder and that is causing
the problem (head gasket/crack/etc).
Cadillac dealer says, "put a new engine in it" (~ $6500 total). Cadillac is
not interested or willing to repair the current engine, they just want to
put another engine in.
I was thinking i could just do a top end recondition/rebuild and replace the
head gaskets etc as a favor to save them the $6500 as they would just pay
for the new parts.

[trim]

Post by Blue C5
Robb, The car is worth about $2500-$3500. You didn't specify the
mileage. I would pop off the head, you will see where it is leaking,
clean it up, put some strong plastic steel compound in the groove,
sand it smooth, put in a new head gasket and run it till it fails.
Then junk it. I got several years out of one that was higher
compression than the Deville. Bob Drake 2000 Seville

Thanks (Bob) Blue C5,

For the help.
I was thinking along the same lines that you highlight.

It is the cheapest solution to try as we are only out a couple hundred
dollars, some time and the car is in no worst condition after all is done ?

But considering many of the headaches that i have found posted in various
forums regarding this particular cadillac engine, i am beginning to think
that it is best for inlaws and myself to just to pass on this problem.

They want a travelling car and i do not think this is the one.

Thanks again for the advice and help,
robb