Expert: Rob Painter - 2/16/2010

Question
QUESTION: hi, i have a 00 sts, at idle while in a drive through or stopped traffic my car will get a little hot,the needle moves over barely one line. never past it. it also has a power steering leak, but only sometimes after driving there will be a puddle, then others there wont be anything,

ANSWER: Hello,

I would suggest having the car taken to a service center (not a dealer).
You need to do it before it costs you serious money!

Just because it is a luxury car, does not mean it has a die hard engine. Actually, Cadillacs have been known for engine overheating problems and there are many. If you drive a Cadillac with alluminum heads and block, its not if you will need an engine but when?
Cadillac has made very poor engines for close to 30 years.

Look, I am not trying to say something bad about your choice in cars. I hAve been a Caddy man for over 25 years. I just know their inherent problems and I know all it takes to destroy the engine is over heat it.

I cannot tell you what is causing the overheating or the power steering fluid leak without seeing the vehicle.
You need this car looked at now!

Cadillacs are nice to drive, but they can be money pits!

Good luck!

Rob

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: ok thanks, a little more info for you.
not sure if any of this helps, but-
the doesn't run super hot, and never when im driving, and it doesn't do it all the time, it also looks as if the coolant reservoir is a little to full.  i got the car from a friend, it has 90 miles on it.  do you think a radiator flush, oil change and tune up could help. cause it does idle a little rough.

Answer
Hello,

You are flirting with disaster. Any time the needle goes beyond the half way point, you are doing dage to the engine. Once it gets to the top of the guage, its all over! Thats when you have blown a head gasket, destroyed the block or done some sort of catastrophic damage that will cost you thousands in repair.

This engine is not like the old Chevys you could get away with running hot. If you are running past the middle of the guage you are ruining this engine. It does not matter if it is doing this at times. What matters is that it is running hot.

I would recommend the services, but before you do a flush, make sure the fan is working and have the system checked out.

As I told you, I know these engines very well when it comes to overheating. Yoiu need to hope that you haven't destroyed something. If you look into the archives of my answers, you will see your problem is very common and that most people waited until it was too late!

Rob