I think it is time for some major maintenance on my wifes 06 Buick with the Northstar. When I first start it in the morning it puffs white smoke (indicates coolant in the cylinder). Has over 130,000 miles and never any problem. Serviced every 3,000. Still looks like new car inside and out and gets compliments everytime we drive it. Would like opinions about keeping the car and replacing the engine, studs, or whatever it needs. Wife loves the car and would rather not have a car payment. Buick doesn't sell any car or SUV with a V8 and that is what I prefer.

 

White smoke at start up may be worn valve guide seals. If you don't feel comfortable doing a compression test on the car you can use a chemical tester to check the condition of the head gasket.

 

you have had it serviced regularly BUT have you added the coolant pills??do a search for northstar coolant supplement.they come in a 6 pack of big pellets.GM charges like 12 bucks for em,don't waste your money. go to the grocery store and get a can of ground ginger.mix it with water and dump in the system quick as it settles out pretty fast.if you have ever smelled the pellets they are just compressed ginger anyway.

 

I wouldn't put ginger in my cooling system. If GM has a coolant additive find out if it's recommended by your owner's manual or if it is just relabeled snake oil.

 

My mechanic is going to do the hydrocarbon test today. This car has never had the pills added. He is confident the engine is OK. Just blows smoke and misses upon startup. Quits both after a few minutes. This tells me coolant is seeping past the head gaskets and they are leaking and about to go. Has never run hot and from what research I've done, these engines do this about 100,000 to 125,000 miles. I guess I have been lucky.

 

https://www.acdelco.com/auto-parts/v...seal-tabs.html

 

Interesting. I didn't see it mention that the tabs were made of ginger. Seems like snake oil to me.

 

organic compound.they are made of ground ginger root,almond shells and a binder.