4th Jun 2009, 19:08
I have a 1998 Cadillac Deville that has an engine skip every now and then. The problem that I have is, I can't find what is causing the engine to skip because it comes and goes. I have changed the spark plugs and wires the coil and the injectors. I also have changed the TPS sensor. When the engine skip starts to happen, all I do is give it more gas or let up from giving it gas, and the engine skip goes away. I will drive it for a couple of days and it runs fine, then all of a sudden it starts skipping and back firing again. I don't get any check engine light or codes. Can anyone help me with this issue?
5th Jun 2009, 21:06
My dad bought a 1993 Seville STS with 160,000 miles on it, for $1,800. It ran great and everything worked, but at 185,000 miles he noticed that it started using oil suddenly. Oops, time to put it back on the auction and unload it! Which he did, fetching $800. Still, no complaints for driving 25,000 miles and 2 1/2 years for only $1,000.
24th Aug 2009, 14:53
I have a 96 STS that I bought with 92,000 miles, and luckily purchased an extended warranty.
Since then, I have replaced the transmission, A/C compressor, alternator, radiator, serpentine belt, 3 window motors, steel brake line ($420 parts and labor), and now the "Low Oil Pressure, shut off motor immediately" light came on. I have already replaced the oil pressure sensor to no avail.
Even with the warranty, I have spent over $4000 in 2 years on maintenance alone, not including routine stuff like oil changes, brake pads, and tires. I am about at my wits end here, the warranty company refuses to pay for anything to be done about the oil pressure until the engine has been completely ripped apart and diagnosed. My solution to the oil pressure problem is to simply rev the engine and raise the RPM's. My "Low Oil Pressure, shut off motor immediately" light came on at a stop light, I just drove it like nothing was wrong and the light went off by itself. I am going to try the heavier viscosity oil and if that doesn't work, I am trading it in to a place, taking my $1000 trade and buying a Honda
Cadillac no longer says "distinguished" to me, it says "Foolish". Live and learn folks, too bad it has to cost so much.
27th Oct 2009, 14:02
I purchased my 96's STS in 2006... Car was in great shape with 100K on it. Started spending money on it with the alternator went bad.. Haven't stop since, water pump, serpentine belt, radiator, rear wheel tire bushing. Now, leaking Anti-Freeze!!! The next thing is the head gasket job.. I guess it is not bad if I spend 30K+ on the car plus interest... I'm going to keep my baby. Because it beats a 6 year car payment!
23rd Feb 2010, 13:09
Man, I don't know what to do after reading all these comments. I can get a showroom condition 97 STS with a 100k on it for 2 grand. It's worth 4 to 4500, but I have a good feeling just to stay away, which sucks cause it's a very nice looking car.
23rd Apr 2010, 22:01
Hi everyone, after reading these comments I have to say I'm a university student and a gear head.
I own a 97 Seville STS. I bought it for 2500 CDN and have spent a few bucks to get her on the road..
I WOULD buy this car again because it's worth the repairs, even if you're a "starving student". Why you may ask? It's simple, no one wants to repair them, so they get rid of them... not only can you find one in good condition, but you can get parts really cheap because of the ones not in good condition, that junk yards can't get rid of.
I hired a mechanic for 50 dollars a day + part costs and parts approx. 23 parts need (not going to list) but a lot. Parts at a junk yard (in near perfect condition) cost me 250 dollars. The mechanic cost me 200 (4 days), totals spent after buy car 450 dollars. I went to a dealership for a quote on the same repairs, and parts alone came to 950 dollars, and labour would have been about 800. So what I'm trying to say is, if you truly love your Cadillac, treat her with respect and benefit from those who won't.
For example, my local junk yard has over 50 STS models (95-97) alone all with parts that you would need for your typical STS problems. Check your local junk yards and save your money.
11th Aug 2010, 22:30
I have had a 98 DeVille since '02.
For the last 5 years or so, it has been burning about 3 qts of oil between 7500 mile changes. I talked to the GM service advisor and he said this was normal.
The water pump went back in January, leaking water. I got the pump replaced and noticed the operating temperature went from 195-198 to 205-209. I talked with the dealer, he said it was normal.
In April going up a mountain in TN, all the bells and whistles came on. Engine overheating. 145,000 miles. The dealer initially says the radiator, $800. Start up the same mountain going the other way and the same thing happens. This time I am told $5000 for a junkyard engine with a 90 day, 5000 mile warranty or $8000 for a rebuilt one with 3 years, 100k.
I abandoned the auto in TN. Kelley says it's worth $1500 with a good engine.
My personal opinion - GM made a $15,000 throw away engine.
I will never own another.
23rd Apr 2011, 12:00
It's unfortunate that these beautiful cars have been breaking hearts and wallets since the mid 70s.. the oil embargo of the 70s changed the direction of these cars, which it never fully recovered from... Buying a Cadillac is not for the faint of hearts or discount shopper type... hopefully GM's restructuring will put this great car with great past history back where it belongs.. one of the best built cars in the world...
17th Nov 2011, 07:43
Yes, we did have this problem... 749.00 dollars later it runs great except for the oil consumption. I put a lot of kilometers on the car, and have to add about 2 litres every 2 weeks.
28th Jul 2012, 00:59
My 97 STS blew smoke and knocked on the highway. I tried getting off the exit and it cut off. It will start and turn over, but shakes. It is missing; is it the timing, power pack (coil) or maybe a blown engine?
27th Sep 2012, 08:04
Never. Overfilling your oil can turn your crankshaft into a blender, and the oil into air filled mayo.
12th Oct 2013, 08:32
I consider 50,000+ miles far from "broken". Your fouled plug, if that's what it is, is from sticky rings or valve stems. I have a 96 DeVille with 210+ k miles, same issue. You have do a "wide open throttle" clean out. In second gear get the RPMs up to approximately 5500 about 65mph, and then let off gas pedal. The car will slow down, and when it gets to 40mph, repeat the process. Try this once every two weeks. Be sure not to baby the Northstar. It's a high performance engine that has to be run hard occasionally to keep it clean. I just did this to mine, and it now runs great.
18th Apr 2009, 20:22
I have had three, all with Northstars, all did the same, they ran good, rode nice and got fairly good gas mileage. However I would not recommend this car to anyone who does not have a blank check to keep it going. I never bought one new, but if I did, the minute the warranty expired, the car would go bye bye.
I am writing this after owning 3, and thinking each time the next one would be trouble free, no way. We are not talking hundreds, we are taking thousands, in repairs, on all of them. Buyer beware.