![]() ![]() When the bolts remain stretched and the head contracts, the head becomes loose on the block which causes the head gasket to blow. When the engine overheats the bolts stretch even further and don’t contract after cooling down like most metal does. ![]() ![]() Once TTY bolts are tightened they stretch. These are one-time bolts meaning they need to be replaced every time they are removed. The engines head used torque-to-yield bolts, also known as TTY bolts. Head gasket failure is common for all Northstar engines. Operating between the block and head, the head gasket is subject to high temperatures and lots of pressure. They are crucial for maintaining cylinder compression and preventing oil and coolant from leaking into the combustion chamber. Head gaskets hold an air-tight seal between the head and the engine block. Due to its transverse design and engineering it is a rather expensive engine to repair when problems do arise. While these problems might mostly appear to be minor the biggest problem with the Northstar is the cost of repairs. While some have been remedied over the years others are still common even on newer Northstar vehicles. The design of the engine is the predominant cause for the majority of these issues. It was exclusively used in high end performance Cadillac’s, although short-lived due to poor sales.ĭespite its 18-year running history, the Northstar engine is susceptible to a lot of problems. It includes a supercharger and variable valve timing and produced up to 469hp and 439lb-ft. The LC3 reduced the engine size for improved strength and to minimize head gasket leaks. Additionally, it added variable valve timing which increased horsepower to 320hp. Since it is predominantly used in the same vehicles you will need to check the VIN number to determine which Northstar variant you have.Īlso a 4.2 V8, the LH2 is a modified Northstar meant for rear-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles. It has a lower redline and was designed to produce more torque than the 元7 models. Additionally, we’ll do our best to specify which variants are most prone to the common problems we mention below. Since the Northstar came in a bunch of different variants and vehicles, we’ll lay out which cars had which engines. However, despite its successes the engine suffers from a number of common engine problems that are detrimental to the Northstar engine’s reliability. As such, it won the Ward’s 10 Best Engines three years in a row from 1995-1997. A 3.5L V6 version was produced under the LX5 engine code, also dubbed the Shortstar.Īs the first production GM V8 with overhead cams, the engine was technologically ahead of its time for production V8 engines. While it initially debuted as a 4.6L V8, the Northstar engine had numerous variants including a 4.0L V8 and a supercharged 4.4L V8. Considered a very technically advanced engine, the Northstar is a traditional 90-degree V8, double overhead cam, with four valves per cylinder. The Northstar engine is a family of GM engines produced from 1993 until 2011. ![]()
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