Seven problems related to engine cooling system have been reported for the 1998 Cadillac Catera. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The water pump gave out.
I would like to place a complaint on record about the poor quality of the Cadillac Catera. These vehicles should have all been bought back by gm to protect the american public from their poor quality. I have a 1998 Cadillac Catera ,well cared for. Over the past year though the car has begun to leak oil heavily,to the point of actually being an enviromental hazard. The other day I took it to a local Cadillac dealer only to be told the car has leaking valve cover gaskets,cam cover gaskets and an oil cooling line. They say $1200 will seal up most of the leaks. The car only has an original 65,000 miles on it. Upon hearing this I did an internet search on Cateras and the horror stories are endless. It seems they all including mine have broken headlight aligners. This is apparently caused by heat and cheap manufacturing. This off course makes the headlights impossible to align and aim. It also seems that all Cateras wear out tires in a very rapid time frame due to poor front end design. My 1998 has all these problems plus all four radio speakers have blown although they were never played loudly. The headlight lenses have heavily yellowed over thus reducing greatly the headlight power. I would strongly suggest you review accidents involving Cateras as they could easily relate to the all to common headlight adjustment problem on these cars not to mention the oil blow by from the engine onto the front brake rotors. Please help get these cars off the road.
Water keeps leaking from the engine. I have had the heater control valve replaced 3 weeks ago and now the water pump is leaking coolant.
Purchased 1998 Cadillac Catera 2/06/04. 64,546 miles. Water pump failed as we arrived home with vehicle. Selling dealer sent vehicle to his local Cadillac dealer, capital Cadillac for repairs. Water pump was on recall. When water pump failed it damaged the main belt and caused it to come off disabeling power steering and other equipment powered by belt. Engine briefly overheated while stopping. Cadillac dealer replaced water pump on campaign 02041 and secondary air injection hose - campaign 01037. The failure does not mention 02018. Car has leaked coolant every since the dealer returned the car to us. The water pump damaged the engine. We want Cadillac to repair or replace it. Cadillac cs will not communicate in writing, stating they only discuss orally. Cadillac has refused to assist or give out any information related to similiar problems.
Engine cooling fluid leaked onto the engine and caused the vehicle to stall, and will not restart. Had to be towed to the dealership.
I have talked with a person a cole valley and he said that my car and other like mine had the same thing go wrong with it in one case some one had to buy a new engine for a 1997 and a 1998 don't know how people he's talking about but my guess its up there . (tiresize: 23540zr18)( dot number: tire size: 23540zr18 ).
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