Faults:

WARNING to ALL Northstar V8 LH2 drivers. After 97k mi or 148k km I had to replace both cylinder heads. Since I drive it with LPG, the valves on cyl#1 RB were burnt and compression was lost during the warming-up phase. At normal engine operating temperature however, the compression was OK. It was my own fault, because I had false air leakage in the intake manifold, resulting in lean mixture (hence: higher combustion temp) with burnt valves as a result.

BUT, remember, almost all Northstar V8 LH2 with plastic intake manifold, will suffer somewhere in its lifespan from intake manifold bolts becoming stretched and loosen over time, with leakage as a result and numerous DTC-codes.

Another EXTREME issue was discovered, during engine cylinder head overhaul. The primary timing chain tensioner was extremely worn out. A timing chain failure could have been the consequence with major damage.

The transfer case for the AWD-train is the same as for the cars with the 3,6L V6 LY7 engine (BW4476-50/50%), resulting in stretched multi-drive chain because of the higher torque, with a clacking noise when accelerating from 0 with high power, as a result because the chain jumps over the sprockets. The later models (2009>) had a BW4479-40/60% transfer case with better power division to the rear and front.

General Comments:

An extremely comfortable car. Seat comfort far better than any other car I drove (Audi Q7, BMW X5, MB GLK, Porsche Cayenne).

And the best about the car is the Northstar V8 LH2 engine. An engineering marvel, extremely light, compact, and, if treated and maintained very well, a power plant to fall in love with. Good mileage tot the gallon (if you know how physics work).

Extremely quiet, massive torque at low revs and even more massive up to 5000 rpm.

Oil consumption = zero. I had a slight oil leakage, which was caused by a valve cover bolt that I didn't tighten enough. By far, the best engine I drove until now.

But what I don't like about the car is the missing rain sensor, the missing Bluetooth connection, the missing AUX input on the radio.

And some ridiculous difficult-to-reach consumables like, tail light assembly, turning light bulbs, fog light bulbs, etc. Half the splash screens, bumper, under engine covers, wheels need to be removed first to access. The brakes are undersized in performance for such a heavy vehicle.