https://youtu.be/-nf0bp4dmZU
Pretty much this. -1 point for not naming the LH2 as 04 and up, as a RWD config.
What does the Car Wizard think about the Northstar?
Re: What does the Car Wizard think about the Northstar?
Anecdotal evidence does support that the worst of the NorthStar head gasket issues were in the late 90s. He mentioned something like 97-2000 but it would probably include 96. Why? Introduction of DexCool. I don't think it is necessarily a bad coolant but I do think the extended service intervals that it promised did not apply to the NorthStar due perhaps to all of the different metals in the engine, especially in consideration of the inadequate head bolt design. But the point is, the earlier green coolant cars (93-95) are pretty universally cited as NOT being as bad. Letting coolant run low due to unaddressed leaks (and prolonged atmospheric exposure) is also a specific issue.
Re: What does the Car Wizard think about the Northstar?
Seems the Car Wizard may have been referencing this Wiki entry:
I also don't know why 1996 would not be included in the bad years since I am pretty sure 96 was the introduction of DexCool.
I don't know about this 2004.5 thing. The 2004 SRX used the LH2 which was a redesign. The reason people leave out 04 I think is that the FWD Seville was still around in 04 with the older LD8/L37 engines. So to avoid confusion people say "05."The most common years of the head gasket issue, by far, are 1997-1999. In 2000, Cadillac lengthened the head bolts, which decreased the chance of having the failure; however, it did not eliminate the issue entirely.[3] Starting in model year 2004.5, the head bolts were once again replaced, this time using GM's small-block V8 "LS6" head bolts, which were longer than the originals but also crucially had a coarser thread with superior grip.[3] This effectively mitigated the issue, making the 2005-2011 Northstar V8s no more prone to head gasket failure than other production aluminum V8 engines; these Northstars are the most desirable versions for their longevity and reliability.
I also don't know why 1996 would not be included in the bad years since I am pretty sure 96 was the introduction of DexCool.
Re: What does the Car Wizard think about the Northstar?
Dexcool is also blamed for 3800, 3400 and 3100 intake gasket issues.
Apparently Dexcool is 5 years/100k. I am afraid people focused too closely on the "100k" part since most cars will get to 5 years long before they get to 100k. With the introduction of air into the system, the coolant turns acidic which eats stuff. Another good reason to maintain the cooling system and probably change the coolant more aggressively than the factory recommendation for optimal results. Sometimes fluid maintenance really matters. I mean, I think it always matters but there's a lot of dice rolling i.e. "my car has nearly 200k on the original [insert fluid here] and everything is fine." OK, good luck with that; better you than me.
Speaking of which I really need to do my CTS-V. It's been in there probably 10+ years. Oops.
Apparently Dexcool is 5 years/100k. I am afraid people focused too closely on the "100k" part since most cars will get to 5 years long before they get to 100k. With the introduction of air into the system, the coolant turns acidic which eats stuff. Another good reason to maintain the cooling system and probably change the coolant more aggressively than the factory recommendation for optimal results. Sometimes fluid maintenance really matters. I mean, I think it always matters but there's a lot of dice rolling i.e. "my car has nearly 200k on the original [insert fluid here] and everything is fine." OK, good luck with that; better you than me.
Speaking of which I really need to do my CTS-V. It's been in there probably 10+ years. Oops.