How to tell if an engine needs overhaul, before going to the shop?

Discussion in 'Freightliner Forum' started by Verdel, Oct 24, 2014.

  1. Verdel

    Verdel Medium Load Member

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    I have a Detroit Diesel 14L 2006, about 800 000 miles. I know that, getting in some good truck shop, open the motor to check the main bearings, will tell what is the condition and if I need an inframe. What about other symptoms? The motor uses less than a gallon for every 15 000 miles and only if I ran hills with heavy load. Sometimes does not need any oil at 15k miles. The MPG is from 6.8 to 7.2, the oil pressure is always at 50. Does not use any coolant and never overheats. What do you think, how many more miles I can squeeze out from this motor?

    I know that most of the shops will tell: The early you do it - the better is going to be, but I am not so sure about this. Why spend the money now, if I have another 200-300k in this motor.
     
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  3. jbourque

    jbourque Heavy Load Member

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    do a splatter test on the blowby tube,and the bullwheel can also be a problem with that many miles.a case of beer and a few buddies a afternoon and you can have that replaced lots of luck
     
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  4. Verdel

    Verdel Medium Load Member

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    How to do a splatter test? If you talking about the the breather tube, yes there is some smoke, but all the ser 60 detroits have it. I have seen Detroit 12.7 with fresh inframe also smoking.....
     
  5. macmanboomer

    macmanboomer Light Load Member

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    Possibly take it & have it ran on a dyno & do an oil sample. I would think for a few hundred bucks you'd know exactly what the health of your engine is (for the most part, obviously there are no certainties).
     
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  6. Freightlinerbob

    Freightlinerbob Road Train Member

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    Go to a Detroit dealer, have it put on the dyno. Anything else is speculation unless there is an obvious problem.
     
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  7. GrapeApe

    GrapeApe Road Train Member

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    Oil sample would be the best indicator of wear. A dyno test with a blow by test will give the best indication of ring seal.
     
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  8. Old Man

    Old Man Road Train Member

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    sounds like a typical Detroit, should go well over a million miles. Normal oil use, they all smoke and dribble out the blow buy tube, more from valve guides than rings.
     
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  9. tirednaz

    tirednaz Heavy Load Member

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    Oil testing can tell you a lot about what is going on. I use an OPS, run regular tests as well as work with a shop I can trust. (took years to find one) I have a detroit with 740000 and only add oil at service intervals of 25000. Full Synthetic Rotella is my oil of choice. Top end filters WIX or Napa XD Xtended Drain filters. IMO unless you are using a gallon or more oil I would not worry about it. Put some money into your maintenance program and I think a million miles and more are possible.
     
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  10. jbourque

    jbourque Heavy Load Member

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    had something to care of real quick , the splatter test is run the motor and see how many oil splats you have freightliner can tell you if they are to many,you will always have some smoke coming out of the breather tube that is normal.
     
    Verdel Thanks this.
  11. Verdel

    Verdel Medium Load Member

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    Can you guys tell me some reputable lab for the oil test?
     
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