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Cadillac CTS Engine Problems

659 messages,  Last post on May 16, 2013 at 4:36 PM

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What is this discussion about? Cadillac CTS, Engine, Sedan

    
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Messages Page 49 of 67

#477 of 659 Re: Cadillac CTS cut out at 60 mph [whb53] by rriddle

Mar 23, 2012 (9:59 am)

Replying to: whb53 (Feb 05, 2012 6:11 pm)
I have owned my 2011 Cadillac for 5 months (Purchased in October 2011). Three days after the purchase the sunroof leaked due to a bad seal. The dealership repaired it with no cost which was good. Now I have had three incidents where the car has a complete loss of power upon accelerating from a dead stop. There is NO warning, no clicks, hums, thumps. It just shuts down like a light switch is turned off. The most recent time being this week when I was pulling into 4 lanes of oncoming traffic with my wife in the car. Somehow we were able to coast to a stop in the side lane (after having to cross 2 lanes of moving traffic) and not get rearended. I just had the CTS at one local Cadillac dealership for 2 days and they cannot find the problem. The tech says that the computer does not show an error code and he cannot get it to recreate the problem while driving. As I said, I have owned the car for 5 months and it has happened 3 times. It is very intermittent. Their solution is just to return the car to me and asked me to let them know if it happens again. That is if I survive? If the car isn't wrecked due to loss of all power? I am now going to take the CTS back to the Cadillac dealership where I purchased the car and see if their service techs can determine a problem. Wish me luck??

#478 of 659 Re: Engine problems 2006 CTS [cmonear] by kirstie_h HOST

Mar 23, 2012 (10:10 am)

Replying to: cmonear (Mar 23, 2012 9:42 am)
We won't chase you away, but you found your way to a discussion for CTS owners, so if any Escalade owners have found a solution, they won't be in here.
 
You can find a list of Escalade discussions here:
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.ef03181/
 
Posting in the Escalade Maintenance & Repair discussion is probably your best bet, though you might scroll down the list and see if there's one specific to your issue.

#479 of 659 Re: Engine problems 2006 CTS [cmonear] by gmcustsvcsarah

Mar 23, 2012 (10:26 am)

Replying to: cmonear (Mar 23, 2012 9:42 am)
Hello cmonear,
 
I'm sorry to read about the frustrating processes you've already been through trying to get this oil pressure concern resolved. If you haven't already been working with Customer Assistance, we'd be happy to get a case going for you. Please send us an email at socialmediagm.com with the following information: your name/Edmunds username, phone and address, last 8 digits of your VIN and current mileage, and the name of your dealership (I realize that some of this information has been included here, but my coworker Christina who answers inbound emails will not have known about this thread).
 
Best,
Sarah
GM Customer Service

#480 of 659 Re: Cadillac CTS cut out at 60 mph [rriddle] by gmcustsvcsarah

Mar 23, 2012 (10:34 am)

Replying to: rriddle (Mar 23, 2012 9:59 am)
rriddle,
 
I hope your upcoming visit goes well! Please get in touch via email (socialmediagm.com) if we can be of any assistance (please include your name and the last 8 of your VIN).
 
Looking forward to an update,
Sarah
GM Customer Service

#481 of 659 Engine oil comsumption 3.6 L by mortgageman1

Mar 27, 2012 (11:47 am)

Hi all,
 
I just read through several hundred posts and was very surprised to see all the posts saying "no light came on to warn me about low oil". There is no low oil light on the 2003-2007 series CTS.
 
Please take some time to read through your owner's manuals to familiarize yourselves with your vehicle. You can save yourself a lot of money and heartache that way.
 
Good luck.
 
BTW, my 2005 CTS with only 56,000 miles needs a new timing chaing. Initial quote is $3,200! Holy cow!

#482 of 659 Re: Engine oil comsumption 3.6 L [mortgageman1] by zebandco

Mar 27, 2012 (3:31 pm)

Replying to: mortgageman1 (Mar 27, 2012 11:47 am)
Nope. No light. You're correct. But there is an oil pressure gauge which apparently indicates normal and steady oil pressure regardless of weather there is any oil in the crankcase or not. Suggesting that owners read the manual does not address the root cause nor the fact that many experiences listed in this post show oil consumption exceeding 1 qt every 1000 miles. Idiot light or not I doubt there are many people checking their oil every 1000 miles. You would think, in the absence of any obvious signs of leaking or smoking the normal inventory of oil would last until the next oil change at 5000 miles. It's a reasonable assumption based on the history of the combustion engine in automobiles over the past fifty years. Apparently there is also the issue of inadequate oil distribution even when the crankcase is full. No light for that either. A vehicle that can tell you where you are within three feet, report the air pressure in each individual tire and monitor 200 plus critical engine functions should be able to provide a reliable indication that something is amiss with the oil level or lubrication of the engine. Before the motor eats itself, I mean. That would be the point.
 
Sorry to hear about the timing chain going. Another all to common complaint. There is no reason a timing chain in a modern engine shouldn't make 100K plus miles. To many competitor power plant have a long history of that level of performance and reliability.

#483 of 659 TSB on Oil Consumption Issue by gm_bigot

Mar 28, 2012 (7:44 am)

I was at my dealership yesterday getting an oil change. I had a rather lengthy conversation with my service advisor whom I have known for the better part of five years now. We discussed the oil consumption issue and she told me that they have been working with several cars per month that have had the problem. None have had catastrophic oil losses, but all had oil consumption issues. She printed out the TSB regarding this. Apparently the cause of the oil consumption, according to the TSB, is worn rings and pistons. This causes oil burning/consumption. It also ends up frying your catalytic converters if you let it go long enough. But the amazing part of the TSB is the explanation as to why these rings and pistons are failing. GM has tied it to the improper installation of the air cleaner/reassembly of the air cleaner assembly after service. This causes a warpage in the assembly over time which then allows debris from the air to go directly into the combustion chamber. This wears out the rings. It is like driving around with no air filter. After this discussion, I went back to the quick lube area to pick up my car. I had a quick conversation with the tech. He said you wouldn't believe the number of CTS vehicles coming in there whose air cleaner assemblies are not reassembled correctly after service. In any event, it appears that we finally have a definitive reason for the oil consumption issue: bad rings and pistons. Whether you believe that the air cleaner is the ultimate culprit is another story. I have 51000 on my 2007 CTS. I check the oil every two weeks when I wash the car. And, knock on wood, I have not had any consumption issues. All of my work is done at the dealership.
 
On a separate, but related, topic, I received a letter from GM extending the warranty on my timing chain(s) for 10 years. That took a load off my mind. Glad to see GM owning up to this particular issue.

#484 of 659 CTS Oil Consumption by nwraaa

Apr 01, 2012 (8:55 pm)

I own a 2008 CTS. I bought the car new. It consumed a quart of oil (Mobil 1) about every 1,200 miles. The dealer said that this was normal. (I haven't owned a car that used oil like that since the mid eighties). As long as the car was under warranty, I used the weight specified; as soon as the engine was out of warranty, I started using Mobil 1, 10w 40 and 15w 50 weight oil. Now the car uses almost a half pint of oil per every 3,000 miles.

#485 of 659 Shared 3.6 engine in lowlife Pontiac!!!! by motorcity6

Apr 10, 2012 (1:11 pm)

Yesterday, I made a bid on a used 2008 Pontiac G6 GXP w/16k mi to a dealer in central Florida.. I see it uses the same 3.6 engine as the base Model CTS..The G6 Pontiac is no dream, but the GXP is equipped nicely with leather, sunroof, and other goodies..My bid was safe and their asking price was way too high, and they countered, but still way off..They have my number if they decide to get serious..After reading all the complaints on this forum, the base 3.6 power is not worth the risk..Having owned 53 cars to date including 3 Caddies, all new and driven by wife mainly except for the 15 round trips from Michigan to S. Florida, I would not spend any money on a new one. The engines in mine were 1-4.9 and 2-Northstars. The 4.9 was replaced by Cadillac 59k and car was sold 150 miles later..The Northstars were okay..
 
Mobil oil seems to not last in the Aluminum Blocked V-6s or 8s, so I switched to Pennzoil on the Nothstars and the Olds engine V-6 called the Shortstar..3-4k before down a pint..
 
Currently I use "Royal Purple" in my Supercharged Pontiac GT and is changed every 6k..Hate to part with the car for I bought it 1/2 price in 2007 w/4300 mi.. 2006 model. Had a tranny oil cooler installed for the Florida heat destroys the transmissions. The interstates in the South are great places to roar and the tranny temps ramp up quick..At 70k miles showing it has been cheap fun, only gone thru 5 batteries, 3 steering shafts, and main engine and tranny mounts..
 
The old iron-block 3.8 V-6 sure isn't high-tech but it doesn,t mind being pushed..Never complains..
 
Good luck-Caddy fans

#486 of 659 Re: Shared 3.6 engine in lowlife Pontiac!!!! [motorcity6] by jpf

Apr 10, 2012 (5:10 pm)

Replying to: motorcity6 (Apr 10, 2012 1:11 pm)
If you're buying GM I think it's best to stick with the old tech OHV engines (i.e. 3.1, 3.4, 3.5, 3.8, or 3.9 liter engines). The gasket problems are easily recognizable and can be remedied by the updated gaskets. These engines are generally good for 150 to 200k miles without any other major problems. The 3.6 seems to be good for about 50 to 75k miles and then all the troubles start. Good luck.

Messages Page 49 of 67

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