Time-Serts Kit – Cadillac Northstar TSB 04-06-01-032
March 20, 2011 10:17 am TIME-SERT Kits
© DenLorsTools.com Summary: GM TSB Technical Service Bulletin on Cadillac 4.6 Northstar engines with head gasket issues. Information on how to check and how to properly repair. Thread repair kits and electronic torque angle torque wrenches available for purchase. TSB information linked at the bottom of the tech article.
A common problem with Cadillac Northstar engines is the failure of aluminum head bolt threads in the engine block. This problem can result with the car overheating in a relatively short amount of time. Typically the engine can run hot in 10-15 minutes.
Since the reason for head gasket failure may be due to the compromised integrity of the head bolt threads it’s important to check their strength before doing a repair. When starting on a head gasket replacement job, it’s best to loosen and tighten ALL head bolts prior to removing the cylinder heads to insure the threads are strong enough to be re-used. If the threads pull out, refer to the following information including the related TSB (Technical Service Bulletin).
The TSB linked below covers this problem. Note that there are different TIME-SERT Kits and inserts depending upon the year of the vehicle. GM recommends TIME-SERT, it’s also sold as Kent Moore at a higher price, they share the same J-42385… series numbers. It’s important to also use an accurate method for measuring the torque and the additional turning of the head bolts, which is measured in degrees. Kent Moore has a specific part number for angle measurement, part number J-36660-A DLT. This is a very expensive specialty tool that is ONLY used for angle measurement – NOT TORQUE . We recommend a much less expensive tool which has a dual purpose. The KD Gearwrench PN KD 85074 is a torque wrench with the angle meter built in. It is a much less expensive tool that accurately torques AND measures additional turning of the (TTY (Torque to Yield) bolts measured precisely in degrees. What about Sure Grip Stud Kits from Northstar Perfromance? Well see our tech article on Time-Sert Compared to Stud Kits before you decide.
Some vehicles which may be affected.
1997 Cadillac Deville 4.6 L 2000 Cadillac Deville 4.6 L, Vin Y
1998 Cadillac Deville 4.6 L 2000 Cadillac Seville 4.6 L, Vin 9
1999 Cadillac Deville 4.6 L 2001 Cadillac Eldorado ETC 4.6 L
1999 Cadillac Seville 4.6L , 2002 Cadillac Deville 4.6 L
Related Specialty Tools and Tech Articles
Cadillac Northstar Thread Repair TSB 04-06-01-032 PDF
TIME-SERT J-42385-500
TIME-SERT J-42385-2000
KD Tools 85073 3/8 Drive Electronic Torque Wrench with Angle
KD Tools 85074 1/2 drive Electronic Torque Wrench with Angle
TTY Head Bolts Tech Article “ Torque Wrench with Electronic Angle
barry gibbs :
Date: January 13, 2012 @ 6:03 pm
im looking for a cadillac deville engine v8-32v-northstar 1998,vin#1g6kd54y3wu758932.if you have it ,i would like to no what would cost.
dennisb - Auto Tool Sales :
Date: January 13, 2012 @ 6:24 pm
Barry,
Thanks for the request. We sell automotive tools and unfortunately do not sell engines. Good Luck.
Josh Miller :
Date: May 29, 2013 @ 9:34 pm
My question is doing a repair job on my 97 deville, do i for sure need new heads,head bolts,head gaskets and timeserts, or is it depending on whats actually wrong. I.E. cracked heads, stripped head bolt, blown gaskets. I’ve been reading different articles about different problems. I just cant determine what to do.
dennisb - Auto Tool Sales :
Date: May 30, 2013 @ 8:43 am
Josh, when the heads are taken to the machine shop, they will determine what the heads need. If there’s no cracks and the heads are thick enough, they will most likely just machine them making the surface flat that faces the block. In some cases the heads won’t need that. They will just be checked with a straight edge making sure they are within tolerance. Stripped threads for the head bolts is a common issue. The threads are located in the block not the cylinder heads. As the TSB details, GM recommends Time-Sert for this repair. The inserts allow the same size head bolts to be used. Since the bolts are designed to stretch, called TTY (Toque to Yield) replacement is necessary. That’s why GM’s engineers only authorize Time-Sert for the correct repair. I recommend staying away from methods of repair not recommended by the engineers. GM has spent a lot of time and money to determine the best repair.
First thing to do is pull the heads, inspect the block and take the heads to the machine shop for evaluation. Good Luck.
dennisB :
Date: December 23, 2016 @ 11:29 pm
TIME-SERT inserts are NOT installed from the factory. TIME-SERT is the only GM authorized repair for warranty purposes. Stud type repairs do not have TTY (Torque to Yield) properties. The reason the threads fail in the first place is because of their very thin aluminum threads. That along with thermal cycles (heating and cooling that causes expansion and contracting) which contributes to threads failing. Since Aluminum and steel have different expansion and contraction rates, it is very important to have TTY type bolts to compensate. If stud type repairs are used, something eventually will give. And we all should know that the weakest link, in this case is the cylinder head.