What Would You Do? (88 Cadillac)

[mikeb27]

My parents own a 1988 Cadillac Fleetwood D'Elegance, has 90,000 miles. I have been eyeing it as my winter car, and have offered to buy it from them so they can buy a new car. Over the weekend, my grandfather was using it, when the engine started "smoking". The mechanics at a dealer close by said it has a blown head gasket. My parents don't want to pay for the repairs, so they are considering junking it. My questions is, should I.......

1. Just let them junk it, and find a winter car later in the fall.

2. Pay for the repairs, and use the car for my winter car.

3. Pay for the repairs, sell the car, and use the money for a winter car.

We've had several people offer to buy the car in the past few years. It is in excellent condition, no visible rust, interior is near perfect. This is the first major mechanical issue to the car. On the other hand, I wanted my winter car to be a used small truck/SUV to be able to haul things when I needed to. What would you do?

[Stingr69]

I sold Paw Paw's '94 Fleetwood a couple of years ago. I got just shy of $4,000 on ebay for it and never looked back.

If you can do your own work - Fix it and sell it so you can get something you really do want.

-Mark.

[DevilsReject97]

Originally Posted by Stingr69

I sold Paw Paw's '94 Fleetwood a couple of years ago. I got just shy of $4,000 on ebay for it and never looked back.

If you can do your own work - Fix it and sell it so you can get something you really do want.

-Mark.

^^^^ This

I'd even call around and see how much you could get it done in a shop for.....as you may be able to find a good deal and still come out ahead on it. You won't find many used cars in as great of shape or that you can show a good track history on...

And you can always sell it if u don't like it

[ROBOSSRS]

Keep it. Great winter pimping car.

[-camarokid-]

get the car, do the head gasket yourself, or with a buddy if you don't have the tools or the space and drive the thing!

and old 88 caddy is worth nothing but its weight in iron

at least where I am anyways....

[mikeb27]

Well my parents bought a new car tonight, a 2011 GMC Terrain. It's a pretty nice car, they went with the 4 cylinder to save some gas mileage. So the Cadillac is officially mine to do what I want with. I'm going to make some calls tomorrow to see how much it would be to repair. I worked in a diesel shop for 5 years through college, and have rebuilt quite a few diesel engines, but I don't have the time or space to fix the head gasket on this car.

[King Sun]

94-96 fleetwood is what im looking for as a daily

[TOMS1SS]

1. Sub-compacts are very affordable and get better mileage. Your asking for nightmares, sounds like this car was neglected.

[mikeb27]

Actually no, the car was not neglected. My parents took great care of the car. For a 22 year old car, it looks damn near perfect. It has never had any major mechanical issues until now, and has had a regular, routine maintenance. The only reason I am considering having it fixed is the fact that my parents took such good care of it, and the fact that it still looks perfect. Cadillacs are known to have head gasket issues, I don't know how you can say a blown head gasket on a 22 year old car is a neglect issue.

[TOMS1SS]

Originally Posted by mikeb27

Actually no, the car was not neglected. My parents took great care of the car. For a 22 year old car, it looks damn near perfect. It has never had any major mechanical issues until now, and has had a regular, routine maintenance. The only reason I am considering having it fixed is the fact that my parents took such good care of it, and the fact that it still looks perfect. Cadillacs are known to have head gasket issues, I don't know how you can say a blown head gasket on a 22 year old car is a neglect issue.

Your choice, sounds like you decided. Personally I think you'll end up regretting your decision but that's only my opinion.

[DF454]

If it is the HT4100 or the HT4500 V8 the head gaskets are not a DIY job.
The head bolts are torq to yeld bolts and can not be reused.
Torqing the new bolts in must be done exactly as spec'ed to avoid stripping out the block.
If that happens you must have the correct kit to drill out the threads and insert the timeserts (heli coils).

Also you must not leave a head off for to long as the cylinder liners may try to lift and damage the seal at the base of the block (causing a coolant leak). GM recomends bolting the heads back on (with the old bolts) or using deck plates if the head(s) need to be off the block overhight.

If the car is in good overal shape I would purchase a rebulit engine and swap out the original.

[mikeb27]

I've decided to not go ahead with the repairs. Too many uncertainties for a 22 year old car. I've been reading up a lot about this problem, and actually have had problems finding a mechanic willing to work on it. Most have all recommended the same thing - replacing the entire engine. So I am posting it up on a few sites for either parts or if someone else wants to replace the engine.

[Dave McFly]

is this the front drive or rear drive (chevy caprice based) caddy?

[TOMS1SS]

Originally Posted by Dave McFly

is this the front drive or rear drive (chevy caprice based) caddy?

This car is a FWD C-body. The Brougham is the RWD your thinking of.