NHTSA Complaint #10125234 — 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE

HEADS ON 1997 CADILLAC SEVILLE (SLS) PULLED LOOSE FROM ENGINE LETTING ANTIFREEZE ENTER INTO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER OF ALL EIGHT CYLINDERS. HEADS WERE WARPED AND HAD TO BE TAKEN OFF ENGINE AND MILLED TO REFIT TO ENGINE BLOCK. THIS WORK DONE AT LOCAL CADILLAC DEALER (SAM SWOPE CADILLAC, SERVICE MANAGER DAVE HOLLAND 502 499 5015) COST TO REPAIR ENGINE $4,999.47........I HAVE SPOKEN TO QUITE A FEW CADILLAC OWNERS AND SERVICE PERSONNEL AND THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM WITH THE CADILLAC NORTHSTAR ENGINE AND ALL CADILLAC DEALERSHIPS ARE WELL VERSED IN REPAIRING THIS ENGINE DEFECT........I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IF GENERAL MOTORS HAD PUT STEEL INSERTS INTO THE ALUMINUM BLOCK FOR THE HEADBOLTS TO TIGHTEN INTO AT THE FACTORY THAT THIS PROBLEM WOULD NOT REPEATEDLY OCCUR! FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD GM WAS TRYING TO SAVE WEIGHT AND IMPROVE FUEL CONSUMPTION AND THAT IS WHY THEY WENT TO AN ALUMINUM BLOCK AND HEADS.