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Post by 5buckeye5 on Jun 2, 2022 17:25:44 GMT -6
I have a 2001 4.0 with a head gasket leak. 132000 miles I would like to repair and keep this vehicle as it is my wifes baby. But I cant seem to find a mechanic willing to work on it. is this pretty common with the Northstar engines.
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Post by Marc on Jun 2, 2022 18:10:50 GMT -6
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Post by 5buckeye5 on Jun 2, 2022 21:38:50 GMT -6
Thanks do you have any history of dealing with them as far as quality
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Post by kbpickle on Jun 3, 2022 5:33:11 GMT -6
The difficulty in finding a willing mechanic for major work has been reported before on this board over the years. Two ideas to try:
1) We all like independent shops because they usually are slightly cheaper than a dealership. But, in this case, maybe a GM dealership would feel some obligation to fix a GM product. Perhaps you could find the largest Chevy or Cadillac dealership in your area and see if they are willing. The Cadillac guys will have experience working on other variants of the Northstar engine, of course. Although I use an independent shop that has done 90% of my work, I occasionally have used both Chevy and Cadillac dealerships. It may cost a few hundred more.
2) The owner of my independent shop has told me that about 50% of his work is for the local stock car racers. These guys are not afraid of anything. Perhaps you could find a shop with that sort of customer base and experience, and hope that they have that sort of attitude.
Ken
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Post by Marc on Jun 3, 2022 6:51:30 GMT -6
Thanks do you have any history of dealing with them as far as quality
No problems. |
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RCA1186
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Post by RCA1186 on Jun 3, 2022 8:59:33 GMT -6
I have a 2001 4.0 with a head gasket leak. 132000 miles I would like to repair and keep this vehicle as it is my wifes baby. But I cant seem to find a mechanic willing to work on it. is this pretty common with the Northstar engines. I would also recommend using the Northstar performance repair kit featured on this site, if you plan on keeping the car awhile that is. Most of the time Headgasket issues are caused by the head bolts pulling threads out of the block. |
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Post by 5buckeye5 on Jun 3, 2022 11:49:39 GMT -6
Well I contacted Sharper Edge Engines looking for a re-manufactured engine, and they told me they didn't have any and didn't know where I could find one.
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Paulaurora
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Post by Paulaurora on Jun 4, 2022 11:02:57 GMT -6
I have a 2001 4.0 with a head gasket leak. 132000 miles I would like to repair and keep this vehicle as it is my wifes baby. But I cant seem to find a mechanic willing to work on it. is this pretty common with the Northstar engines. What is your location ? |
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Post by 5buckeye5 on Jun 5, 2022 13:47:15 GMT -6
Northwest Ohio
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Paulaurora
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Post by Paulaurora on Jun 8, 2022 17:02:55 GMT -6
i see . sorry dono any in Ohio only in Brooklyn NY and NJ
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Post by Marc on Jun 8, 2022 17:12:31 GMT -6
Are you certain that a head gasket is bad? Did you get a coolling system pressure test?
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Post by 5buckeye5 on Jun 25, 2022 7:46:05 GMT -6
I had it at a small garage and they said blown head gasket, but they won't touch a Northstar engine. I'm not so sure. I filled it back up with coolant and hooked my Auto Xray to it so I could monitor the temp. I took it for about a 10 mile test drive 4 different times one day and temp ranged from 210-233 that was on a 90 degree day. It doesn't loose any coolant. I'm looking to replace the expansion tank cap because the rubber seal is in rough shape but the one I bought is 18 psi and mine says 15 psi, all of the ones I look at online say 18 psi , so I'm trying to find out if that cap will damage anything before I try it. If so does anyone know where I can find the correct pressure cap.
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Post by Marc on Jun 25, 2022 8:40:51 GMT -6
all of the ones I look at online say 18 psi I replaced the 15 psi cap on my 2001 4.0 with an 18 psi cap at least 10 years ago. There has been no trouble. |
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Post by 5buckeye5 on Jun 25, 2022 10:55:41 GMT -6
Thanks I guess I'll put the one on that I bought
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Post by Marc on Jun 25, 2022 12:05:35 GMT -6
OK
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Post by 5buckeye5 on Jun 27, 2022 14:38:52 GMT -6
So I replaced the Expansion Tank cap and that helped a little, and to day I opened up the purge line going back to the expansion tank, I wasn't getting any flow through it, that seems to help some more. from what I've seen on you tube that's a purge line to get the air out of the system. When I drive it now on the open road it will hold between 199 - 201. In town it will go up to 212 but come back down when I get it out on the open road. It's a lot cooler today so that isn't the best test, but it's going to be a lot warmer tomorrow and I will find out more temperature wise. I was sitting in front of my garage letting it run to see how it would do idling and every now and then it sounded like a big vacum purge of some sort, I don't know what it is but it is making me curious. If anyone might know what it might be I would appreciate any help.
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Paulaurora
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Post by Paulaurora on Jun 27, 2022 14:50:09 GMT -6
can be water pump as well but best be to do a head gasket test at shop or dealer .
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Post by AuroraGirlFromMars on Jul 2, 2022 12:55:15 GMT -6
sounds like air in system, needs to be bled. the tank cap and the overflow line being bad sounds like a logical take, glad they are fixed. The coolant isnt getting nasty isi t? if its clean you maybe okay. otherwise go get a hyrdrocarbon test or whatever that looks for exhaust gasses in the coolant.
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