Northstar Lucerne

Discussion in 'The Bench' started by edzolz, Aug 13, 2018.

  1. edzolz

    edzolz Member

    My 2006 Lucerne has started puffing white smoke on startup. Usually indicates coolant in cylinder. The car is excellent shape inside and out. Any techs on here that can give me the flat rate for replacing this engine? Or should I just repair the studs and drive it. Wife loves the car and we don't need a car payment. Both retired on fixed income.

    Ed
     
  2. 1972Mach1

    1972Mach1 Just some M.M.O.G. guy.....

    Head gaskets flat rate at 21.3 for the pair, I don't have an actual engine replacement flat rate spec, but you'd be looking at close to that. The cradle has to be dropped out of the car and everything done on the ground. Quite honestly, most of our customers just bail out on them once they start having issues. The Northstar is/was a great engine when it's new, but have a tremendous amount of oil and coolant leak issues.
     
  3. TexasT

    TexasT Texas, where are you from

    Is there something to swap in that is easy, or is this just something you need to know about to fix? Or is it just too expensive to pay someone. Cheaper to do yourself or too much in parts for a DIY?
     
  4. 1972Mach1

    1972Mach1 Just some M.M.O.G. guy.....

    My guys absolutely HATE working on them, I have to spread them around so I don't give the same guy 2 in a row. They are not easy, but if a guy had a lift he could do it at home, anything is possible. As far as a swap, you'd need a different transmission, engine, full harness, axles, engine mounts, ECU, yadayada.....it's not like it used to be. As I said, most customers just bail out on them or drive them till they actually die, as labor alone is about what the whole car books for.....
     
  5. 436'd Skylark

    436'd Skylark Sweet Fancy Moses!!!!!

    Where are you located? There are a few shops that specialize in repairing them. Helicoils and studs are the fix. I wouldn't put a used engine in unless you can verify it has already been fixed. What you have is serviceable in the right hands.
     
  6. Jerseysky66

    Jerseysky66 Silver Level contributor

    Ed, Just curious how many miles do you have on the car? We have one with 62 K and it runs well for now.
    Bob
     
  7. edzolz

    edzolz Member

    I have 0ver 130,000 on this car. First time I have had any major problem other than minor oil leaks.
     
  8. Rikergs400

    Rikergs400 Well-Known Member

    I have had (2) a 2001 and 2003,I love these engines, that being most seem to fail over 100,000. Have you let the engine get cold and open the overflow cap, if air escapes the head gaskets are leaking, this I am told due to carbon build up and increasing the compression, was always told to go once a week and do a few WOT's
    This is where I had my 2001 repaired, fascinating how they do it...
    http://www.midwestcadillacrepair.com
     
  9. TORQUED455

    TORQUED455 Well-Known Member

    Time-Certs are your friend here
     
  10. My3Buicks

    My3Buicks Buick Guru

    Sold my 2003 DTS with 129k on it, the lady that bought it is still driving it 8 years later
     

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