Need advice on '99 century

Discussion in 'Freightliner Forum' started by mladen86, Nov 21, 2012.

  1. mladen86

    mladen86 Medium Load Member

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    Aug 23, 2012
    Chicago,il
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    Ok guys,I own '99 century,12.7 detroit for 1 year now.I bought it of the friend and payed 7300$ and at the time it had 1 023 00 miles on it.Now,after 1 year and 100 00 miles,I need advice what to do.It wasn't really a money pit,in one year i replaced head,radiator,air dryer,air compressor,oil cooler,injector cups...rest is oil changes and small things like two sensors,some valves,air bags.I did oil change couple days ago,and mechanics found few things that needs to be fixed:

    1.I have oil in coolant,but i have it since i replaced head,and mechanic who did it says it is old oil that was in the sistem before head was replaced,so i dont't know,maybe they didn't flushed it properly,or maybe its new oil?Im driving truck like that last 5 months.I can see inside the coolant tank there is old oil glued to the wall of the tank and they say it can't be washed out??!Maybe I should replace the tank and let my new mechanic do proper flush and see what's going on then.

    2.I have oil leak in front differential

    3.Front bushings are worn out

    4.Coolant pipe from radiator to water pump is rust and leaking coolant little bit

    Truck has been good,considering what I paid for it.Im trying to fix on time what ever needs to be fixed,if money allows.Im getting 7.5 mpg most of time,but Im avoiding heavy loads,don't like to torture my black mamba :)

    So,I was thinking,should i go for an overhaul and fix all this,or should I keep driving it till spring when registration expires,sell it and put my ##### into payments for used 50K truck?
     
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  3. cdub304

    cdub304 Light Load Member

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    Dec 7, 2009
    Rockford,IL
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    how many miles in a the year you have owned it 100k? Far as the oil in the coolant....sounds like you got stiffed on the head job in 1st place. Not sure I would continue to use that mechanic. I think I would fix what is wrong for right now. i would the major overhaul unless you plan to keep the truck. I would just run it and save all my money until it was time to put her to sleep.....funny things is you never know when its gonna happen.....could be today or could be 5 years from now. I have seen brand new trucks breakdown 3 hours from the dealership that sold them. lol If you are serious about trucking and would spend 50k on a used one maybe you should spend a little more and look into a glider??????just a thought.....hope this helps
     
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  4. mladen86

    mladen86 Medium Load Member

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    Aug 23, 2012
    Chicago,il
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    Yes,100k,forgot one 0 :) Yea,you never know.My friend drove 08 cascadia,company truck,and had to do 2 overhauls in two years???I changed mechanic few months ago,this one is very serious shop,very happy with them so far,just still don't know what to do,plus business is slow at the moment,winter is coming it's gonna be even worse.Need to think hard on this one,thats why Im asking for advice from more experienced people here.
     
  5. hammerstrap

    hammerstrap Bobtail Member

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    Oct 23, 2012
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    It is possible that there may be contamination in the engine from before the repairs..if it was done before this oil change.
    #1. I would have the mechanic do a pressure test with the oil drain plug out and engine hot to see if there is an issue. You have repaired most of what touches oil and water. You just have to basically worry about the sleeves now unless your other work was sub standard.
    #2. #1 needs adressed first, then repair leak.
    #3. If #1 is taken care of...bushings get changed. Think about those tires and the ride quality you want.
    #4. If you run your truck every day this pipe is cheap insurance from sitting on the side of the road.....change it.
     
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  6. freightlinerman

    freightlinerman Road Train Member

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    mladen86 Thanks this.
  7. mladen86

    mladen86 Medium Load Member

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    Aug 23, 2012
    Chicago,il
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    Thank you guys,really appreciate your help.I'll try to make some more money before christmas,then will take few days off and leave truck in the shop and fix what needs to be fixed and to test things needs to be tested.I don't like payments,thats why Im leaning towards the overhaul,if it's needed at all.
     
  8. Pablo-UA

    Pablo-UA Road Train Member

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    exuse me, is it Shnider truck? some Shnider drivers abuse vehicles, but belive me Swift drivers loves to abuse trucks more!
     
  9. mladen86

    mladen86 Medium Load Member

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    Aug 23, 2012
    Chicago,il
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    I don't know.Truck was owned by some mechanic guy who did some regional run,auto parts industry,then it was owned by guy who drove for Triple Crown,he sold it to my friend,my friend sold it to me.Truck is now black,but i think it was involved in some minor accident and had to be painted,I think it was blue,so it might be ex Werner truck
     
  10. Pablo-UA

    Pablo-UA Road Train Member

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    I have 99 shaker too)
     
    Last edited: Nov 21, 2012
  11. Pablo-UA

    Pablo-UA Road Train Member

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    oil in coolant is usually heat exchanger issue. easy to fix.

    front diff leak - you need new seals. I use SKF

    coolant pipe is cheap thimg. more money to pay for change procrdure

    Leafsprings booshings is not so easy to change, but one weekend for me
     
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