20 Most Recent 1997 Cadillac Catera - Page 8 Questions & Answers

Hello, If you also have oil in the coolant then you could have a oil cooler leaking, It is located under the intake manifold. If that's not it then it could be head gaskets.

Yes you do

Head gasket, if you have a V6 or a V8, can't tell which one is at fault, so both will might as well be changed.
If the leak near the maifold is oil, the valve cover gaskets are leaking.
When head gaskets are changed, all the necessary gaskets come in the gasket kit.

the dipstick is located infront right of engine, the heater takes the heat from the heater core , the coolant flows through that part so what ever the smell of your engine coolant you can smell it inside, this is only when you use heater.

most probably a bad ignition switch,

We replaced ours on a Deville and took 2 hours. You need to let it cool and drain the antifreeze, remove the upper motor mounts, etc. and everything that holds it in. Be careful about the alternator, it's close (check the alternator while you have the radiator out). Make sure that overheating is not the headgasket (I replaced the radiator just ot find th old one was OK. AND don't forget to add the pellets (any GM dealer has them).

We found that all of the northstar engines of this era will eventually overheat and blow the head gasket (which we had replaced). The only good solution is to replace the headbolts with a stud kit ($450) and torque with nuts (like the race cars do). This has solved the headgasket, but still heats up to 224 degrees in city driving (100 degree Kansas City). ALSO you must always use the A/C as the cooling fans do not operate if it is turn to econ mode. Our fix cost us $2400, but the dealer wants $1000 more.

EBCTM needs to be replaced; electronic brake control traction module...you also have limited power steering and no cruise...correct?

You may be low on rad fluid and have an air pocket where the fan sensor is located. Check the fluid level.

The cats use hydraulic lifters. Just before your next oil change, or when you are down about a litre of oil, put a litre of transmission fluid (Dextron II) into the engine and drive it about 2to 300 miles and then change the oil and filter. You should hear the valve train noise dissappear within the 1st 20 or 30 miles.

Do not overfill!!!!!

This is assuming you have a plugged hydraulic lifter(s). If you have a worn cam or worn valve train, you need to remove the heads (both) and send them to a machine shop that does heads and re-install...new head gaskets, valve cover gaskets as well as any worn cams. valves etc....

Car really has to be worth it. At this point, if you love Cateras (I have 2 2001's), I would sell it the way it is and get a 00' or an 01'.

The 97' and 98's are not worth the trouble.......

Timing belt tensioner pulley; if it fails, notorious on the 97, 98, it will send the engine to heaven. Was a recall but probably well out of date now.

If you are lucky, its the accessory belt idler.

Top and back of engine under the intake plenum. Its the engine oil cooler.

Sounds like your anti theft is kicking in. If you use a key without a transponder or the wrong key, you will get the same results.

read the fuse box for where the a/c and/or the cig lighter is connected to.

from what I hear you need to take it to dealer where they hook it to a tech 2 scanner and reprogram it for you

have you refitted the transponder from the original steering coloumn ,then it will start

most are located passenger side botom of engine

I suggest returning it to your mechanic, as the repair would likely be for free.