Faults:
- Oil line to radiator was leaking, cheap and easy fix.
- Original alternator died around 180,000 miles.
- After being cut off and slamming on the brakes, one of my brake lines blew off the brake itself.
- Occasionally I would have issues with the accelerator control unit, and the car would idle too fast; tapping it with a hammer would generally fix it (classy)
- Thermostat went (this was the only time I had to get towed)
- As of recently the wiper switch stopped working and the part is roughly $300, labor not included.
- Also in recent months the air ride suspension has started to act up; it is most likely a leaky line to the air cylinder.
General Comments:
This was my first car, and it has been my pride and joy. I've been into Cadillacs for a long time, and know that many of the vehicles Cadillac produced between 1980 and the present day are anything but reliable.
This car, however, and any Cadillac with the 4.9 engine, is EXTREMELY reliable. This is a great looking vehicle with plenty of power.
Driving this car is unlike any other car I've driven; it glides down the road with plenty of power and acceleration.
The interior is obviously comfortable and roomy; it's a Cadillac. Lots of storage room (once fitted a drum set, three amps, two guitars, a bass and three people in this car with ease).
I used this car as a daily driver since I bought it, and the past two summers I accumulated a lot of miles driving to and from job sites (8,000+ this summer alone). I also used this car to get me through a year and a half of college.
I unfortunately have to sell mine because little things are beginning to go wrong with it, and being in school, I have neither the time or the money to fix the little things. But if you can find one of these cars in good condition with low miles, you will not regret it as a daily driver or as a weekend cruiser.
If you love Cadillacs like I do, and don't want to restore a classic or spend five figures on a new one, then track down a late 80's/early 90's caddy with a 4.5 of 4.9 motor. Stay away from the the Northstar, far far away.
24th Jun 2010, 11:15
Usually these particular Cadillacs need a few things that can be accomplished at most basic mechanic shops or DIY stores. Most of the fixes are cheap. I have maintenance comments posted, search: 1990 Cadillac DeVille, Edmunds (look under reviews).
First replace the PCV (pollution control valve) $5.00 part $7.50 labor. Open up the air filter box, remove filter, start car, spray seafoam ($9.50) injector cleaner inside slowly to help clean throttle body, combustion chamber and fuel injector. Upon completion, replace the air filter, if dirty, reinstall air filter and close/fasten filter box.