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[STEMO]

Yes but mileage is low. So its interesting what belt is inside
About UK market I think the same.

The timing belt problem isn't a problem, and is eliminated by correctly fitting a new belt kit. That's a routine maintenance item, that should have already been done several times on a twenty plus year-old car.


Note the emphasis on correctly


Here in the UK, I suspect a Catera would be worth even less than a similar Omega due to it being left hand drive.

Whenever you buy any car, you should budget for a new timing belt kit. You should never rely on any paperwork or promises by the seller, it needs to be done for your own peace of mind.

[Nick W]

Yes but mileage is low. So its interesting what belt is inside
About UK market I think the same.

The timing belt problem isn't a problem, and is eliminated by correctly fitting a new belt kit. That's a routine maintenance item, that should have already been done several times on a twenty plus year-old car.


Note the emphasis on correctly


Here in the UK, I suspect a Catera would be worth even less than a similar Omega due to it being left hand drive.

Timing belt replacement is done on a mileage and time schedule; the requirement is whichever comes first. Personally, I'm happy with being a bit looser on the time and fairly strict on the mileage.

And, probably for the first time ever, I completely agree with Stemo , it's an hour's work and £100(probably, I haven't priced one recently) in parts

[Rangie]

Would you do the mechanical work yourself or do you have someone capable of doing the work correctly?

[Sir Tigger KC]

If you do buy the Catera, you have found the right place for help and advice to keep it in tip top condition! 

[Doctor Gollum]

A Catera in Europe is unlikely to have had that recall work done as it was a US recall and relates to ridiculous belt intervals. Change the belt kit every 4 years/40k miles and they're unlikely to fail.

But that said, if it has been more or less looked after it should have had the belt kit replaced a few times.

[Doctor Gollum]

If you're in Europe, then it's basically a rebadged Omega and should be treated as such.

If you're in the US and miss your Omega then yes, buy it.

As his profile says Lithuania, if he waits a year or two he might manage a Zil.

People don't always change it when they move and I chose not to presume

As he has only registered on OOF 3 days ago,  he is hardly likely to get his location wrong, and have moved in that time......

I was answering Ronny's point. Where the OP is is largely irrelevant but buying a Catera this side of the pond would be somewhat alerternative.

[TheBoy]

As others have said, the belt on these should be done every 4yrs or 40k miles (60k km), so *should* have been done.  Budget for getting it done if you cannot 100% guarantee it has been.  In reality, the change schedule is to reduce the risk of failure to near zero, and even if not strictly followed, shouldn't be an issue.  But given the reasonably cheap cost to do it (about 1hr labour and somewhere between €60 - €200 for the part depending on if you want genuine or pattern), its not worth debating further.

The Cambelt Kit is essentially the belt, 2 idlers and a tensioner.  Don't just do the belt, its the idlers and tensioner that tend to fail.

Water pump doesn't necessarily need to be done. Personally, I'd check if the bearings were good, and no signs of weeping, and only change if necessary.

The aux belt tensioners tend to dry out their bearings, so a new pulley (less than €10) is alwasy handy to have on standby as well.

A plastic valve at the back, called the Heater Bypass Valve (HBV) tends to start to leak.  I'd only replace it if it does leak.  My last Omega is still on its original factory HBV 21years later.  My previous Omegas had about 3 or 4 of them in my ownership.

[Doctor Gollum]

You forgot the crank sensor

[tomuxzz]

.

[tomuxzz]

A Catera in Europe is unlikely to have had that recall work done as it was a US recall and relates to ridiculous belt intervals. Change the belt kit every 4 years/40k miles and they're unlikely to fail.

But that said, if it has been more or less looked after it should have had the belt kit replaced a few times.

I think Cateras are released only in US.

[tomuxzz]

If you do buy the Catera, you have found the right place for help and advice to keep it in tip top condition! 

Yesterday I saw that Catera, It looks like the car body is good spedometer shows only 80k miles. engine runs flawlessly.
So I'm planing to buy it as weekend car for now.

[Rangie]

Good for you hope it serves you well 👍

[Sir Tigger KC]

Great.  Post up some photos when you get it. 

[Doctor Gollum]

A Catera in Europe is unlikely to have had that recall work done as it was a US recall and relates to ridiculous belt intervals. Change the belt kit every 4 years/40k miles and they're unlikely to fail.

But that said, if it has been more or less looked after it should have had the belt kit replaced a few times.

I think Cateras are released only in US.

It would have potentially been available to order through Cadillac dealerships in Europe, but most likely to have been shipped to Europe by US military personnel stationed there.

[tomuxzz]

Hi,
I've bought that catera  And maby could advise me what is the problem? RPM arrow does not work correctly. It bounces. And when accelerating suddenly, the car stalls, but when driving normally, everything is fine.
I've uploaded video:
https://youtu.be/66dB_xBW6CY?si=tKtjKzw2Fx1x5qXV

And ABS Ecu is faulty can it cause this ?