Is the Northstar V8 a bad engine?

Despite its 18-year running history, the Northstar engine is susceptible to a lot of problems. The design of the engine is the predominant cause for the majority of these issues. While some have been remedied over the years others are still common even on newer Northstar vehicles.

How much horsepower does a 32 valve Northstar engine have?

Introduced in 1993 in the Cadillac Allante, Eldorado and Seville STS, the 4.6L 32-valve dual overhead cam all-aluminum V8 engine was a quantum leap forward for U.S. automakers. Initially rated at 295 horsepower, the Northstar V8 has been ranked as one of the “10 Best Engines in North America” by Ward’s Auto World.

What is wrong with Cadillac Northstar?

Blown Head Gaskets In addition to the aforementioned problems, Northstars of all years have a nasty habit of blowing head gaskets. Especially after any kind of overheating event. One of the big selling points of the Northstar was its resistance to overheating, and it certainly has that.

How long do Cadillac Northstar engines last?

It depends how well they’re maintained. But in general they’re very reliable engines. In many cases they outlive the car. Mine is up to over 270,000 miles and still going.

How long does a Northstar V8 engine last?

The Northstar engine is a long-lasting and reliable engine. A properly maintained one can easily last up to 100,000 miles before you need another tuneup related to oil leakage or blown head gaskets. Many people have even seen these engines exceed 200K without any major problems.

How much horsepower does a Northstar V8 have?

Northstar engine series

What year did Cadillacs stay away from?

According to Consumer Reports, the Cadillac CTS models you should stay away from are those made from 2003-2007. These models had more problems with things like engine failure, tire issues, and license plate issues.

How many miles can a Cadillac last?

The average life expectancy of the CTS is about ten years. As a result, the vehicle is one of Cadillac’s longest-lasting models, and many owners report their cars lasting over 200,000 miles with regular maintenance.

Are Cadillacs good high mileage cars?

The Cadillac CTS can last up to 200K-300k when maintained and taken care of. Several owners shared on a CarGurus forum experiences owning Cadillac CTS with over 200k miles that still are running great.

When did the Cadillac Northstar V8 engine come out?

Introduced in 1993 in the Cadillac Allante, Eldorado and Seville STS, the 4.6L 32-valve dual overhead cam all-aluminum V8 engine was a quantum leap forward for U.S. automakers. Initially rated at 295 horsepower, the Northstar V8 has been ranked as one of the “10 Best Engines in North America” by Ward’s Auto World.

What years did the Cadillac Northstar have head gasket problems?

The most common years of the head gasket issues for the Northstar engines are 19097-1999, with the 2000 change of Cadillac lengthening the head bolts severely reducing the prevalence of the issue in Northstar engine cars.

How many tensioners does a Northstar V8 have?

Three separate hydraulic tensioners are used to keep the cam chains tight. The Northstar V8 is an interference engine, which means if a chain fails or is disconnected when the engine is cranked over, the valves will hit the pistons. That’s something you don’t want to happen with an expensive engine like this!

Are there any problems with the Northstar engine?

One Of the most prevalent and common problems in the North star engines is the head gasket issues, which shows why one could argue the Northstar engine is bad in the Northstar engine good vs. bad debate. Many Northstar engines have reportedly experienced head gasket failure, which can be quite an important and expensive repair.