CAT C 15 Engines

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Bogdan622, Sep 16, 2010.

  1. Bogdan622

    Bogdan622 Bobtail Member

    8
    1
    Sep 16, 2010
    0
    I'm looking to buy a new truck and i wanted to know more about Cat C 15 engine in some of the trucks I'm looking at. How is the lifespan of this engine? Do they experience many mechanicle problems of the course of its life? How is it on fuel economy (what's the mpg)? I'm also looking at mercedes engines and have the same questions.
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. country29

    country29 Medium Load Member

    518
    156
    Feb 27, 2010
    Arkansas
    0
    in my opinion, run from the mercedes, cat all the way if its a 2007 or older, but I would not have a 2008-2010 cat(these are the last years they are made, and all the emissions crap I would not have 1).All of this info is for 2007 and older acert's. lifespan- about the same as others, anything is possible but 8-900,000 before full inframe with normal maintenance, overheads, etc. problems- yes, but all engines do. some were more prone to head gasket failure than others, some had rocker stud issues, variable valve issues and updates that by now have been taken care of under warranty. fuel economy- depends on the truck its in but usually anywhere from 5-6mpg is normal depending on truck, trans, gear ratio. hope this helps, but If I was buying a brand new truck, I would NOT have a new factory truck, I would get a glider kit with a pre-emissions engine, just my .02 worth. And I am diesel mechanic by trade, and know 1st hand of these issues with the pre-2008 cats.
     
  4. Krooser

    Krooser Road Train Member

    2,493
    1,066
    Jul 25, 2010
    Wisconsin
    0
    The C15 is a proven engine... a brother to the 3406E. With proper maintenance you should see 1,000,000 before an in-frame.

    Mercedes? Run away as fast as you can.....
     
  5. lego1970

    lego1970 Medium Load Member

    504
    165
    Oct 10, 2008
    Blue Springs, Missouri
    0
    The truck I'm in has an 02 C-15 rated between 475 to 550. 13 speed, 3.70 rears and 24.5 open lug tires. Had an inframe around 650,000. I dead head at 38,000lbs half the time and the other half of the time, I'm 80,000lbs give or take a couple thousand. I run a PTO about 2-3 hours a day. Seldom idle. Run in the Midwest with about 40% of the load in the Ozarks. Elevation is about 1200' on average. I would guess about 50% interstate or 4 lane highway, 30% secondary highways, 10% back roads, 8% city, and 2% gravel or off road. I get between 5.2mpg on a bad week to 6.2mpg on a good week.
     
  6. DL550CAT

    DL550CAT Road Train Member

    1,427
    1,481
    Oct 18, 2009
    Waynesburg, Pa
    0
    I am getting 6.6 to 6.9 so far since getting a PDI tune in my cat before that I was getting about 6. I run about half interstate and half 2 lane and lots of stop lights. I have had no major problems with the C15. I would buy the cat then talk to Mr Haney. You wont be sorry.
     
  7. YellowCat

    YellowCat Bobtail Member

    6
    2
    Feb 5, 2010
    Orlando, FL
    0
    I have used mostly C15 engines and I can assure that they are excellent, very strong, if you comply with maintenance recommended by the manufacturer. I had Trucks with Cummins and Detroit, but if I choose, I prefer the CAT (prior to 2008).
     
  8. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

    12,466
    23,620
    Mar 29, 2008
    TN
    0
    '03 T600, MBN C15, 13sp, 11r22.5, 3:70. Most of my running is interstate lots of I-40 in TN, NC. Lot's of I-81 in VA on my way to the northeast. Avg speed 68-72mph fuel economy 5.8mpg with less than 1.5% idle per week. Motor is partially "unbridged" with fuel temp wire, 6NZ 550hp/1850tq ecm flash, upgraded non-wastegated turbo. Engine has 902,000 miles never been overhauled but did have a cracked head replaced at 760,000 miles. Uses half gallon of oil during my 10-12k mile OCI's I think that oil loss is from a slight leak the front cover gasket has. Truck runs like a champ in mountains/hills I rarely see other loaded trucks that can hang. Great engine wouldnt take anything for it. Avg gross weight 77,000 run about 8% empty/bobtail and 3500 miles a week with a 53' dry van.
     
  9. Lil'Devil

    Lil'Devil Heavy Load Member

    749
    332
    Jan 1, 2007
    Great White North
    0
    I have owned several cats, 475 3406'e and c15's, they were all pretty strong reliable engines, lots of power as I mostly hauled heavy, over 100,000 lbs, fuel milage varied between 4.5 and 6.8, but I was always hauling heavy. My 97 Kenworth with a 3406e had over 1.5 million miles on it when I sold it and it had never been rebuilt the guy who bought it had it overhauled and it is still running strong. we also have an 05 freightliner with a 475 c15, it has almost 1 million on it and it has never been touched, very reliable engine.

    stay away from the 08 and newer, I have one in a 08 W900 with all the emission crap and it had nothing but problems, the DPF fuel filters were always clogging up, truck was always in the shop because it was always shutting down on me and it would not regen when it was supposed to the engine itself was not the problem just all the emission garbage, if you want to buy a 08 or newer engine go with the DD15.
     
  10. pstrack

    pstrack Bobtail Member

    4
    0
    Nov 28, 2011
    Fort Wayne IN
    0
    To all you C-15 guys I have a still on the skid from Cat never installed twin turbo 625HP C-15 for sale. It is a 2006 acert engine that was meant to go into a prototype military truck but the company went belly up before the truck was built. I am open to offers. Reply to this post if interested.
     
  11. pullingtrucker

    pullingtrucker Road Train Member

    1,185
    598
    Dec 21, 2008
    Fostoria, Ohio
    0
    Im interested depending if the price is right...what kind of price and where is it located?
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.