CAT C15 ACERT 475hp MXS - low boost

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by mile-high, Aug 22, 2009.

  1. mile-high

    mile-high Bobtail Member

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    Aug 22, 2009
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    CAT C15 ACERT 475hp MXS built in 2005 put in service in 2006. Installed CAT Heavy Haul software in March 09 and was very happy with performance. Performance has gradually gone downhill and boost has flatlined at 32 lbs. On PARS: fuel flow rate good, and remained good through all testing, but boost only reached max of 32 lbs. on both sides of engine; pinched off wastegate & air compressor, reran-no change; pressure tested from turbo inlet to cylinder head inlet-no leaks; removed air cleaner, reran-no change; put on new high-side turbo, reran-no change; put on new low-side turbo, reran-no change; unhooked mufflers, reran-no change; put in new injectors, reran-no change;
    Does anyone have any idea where the boost is going?
     
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  3. black_dog106

    black_dog106 Road Train Member

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    Hi mile-high: what did the heavy haul program do for the truck when things were going the way they should? Thanks for your time... david
     
    brophym Thanks this.
  4. mile-high

    mile-high Bobtail Member

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    Aug 22, 2009
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    raised the torque band from 1300 to 1500 rpm to 1500 to 1700 rpm and put out about 48 lbs. of boost and got about 3.1 mpg grossing about 180K
     
    Chickentrucker20 Thanks this.
  5. Jas

    Jas Medium Load Member

    Do you mean it was PAR dynoed? have you checked fuel pressure? what sort of truck is it in? freightliner accel pedal assemblies wear out causing low power with no other symptoms. Have you had the valve clearances checked?
    Check if intake air temp is ok, faulty control valve for the JWAC will cause high intake air temp and low power.
     
  6. Far_Call

    Far_Call Medium Load Member

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    Aug 21, 2009
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    Jas is onto one of the usual problems also by suggesting fuel pressure. so good advice there.

    The fuel pumps have an unacceptable spring that will not maintain sufficient fuel pressure in these Acerts… Even if you buy a New Fuel pump it will have the shorter spring in it. However there is a longer and heavier spring available that will hold up better than just stretching the old spring which is what many do now. You must have at min of 100PSI fuel pressure over 1200RPM. And usually in excess of 75PSI at Idle.
    Cat says 75PSI at Full noise is within specs but that is Frog ##### and these things are so tight in the fuel tables for the Emissions that even low fuel pressure will cripple them.
     
  7. PaulE

    PaulE Medium Load Member

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    Verona Wi
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    75 psi is low.normal Acert is 84-86.dont stretch spring it has memory and will slowly lose psi. shim with brass or copper washers .look for 105-110 psi at around 1800 with HH program(non HH 1600 rpm)dont go over 120 psi.you can push fuel past injector o rings.has the intake piping/clamps been pressure checked?( not just the CAC itself).
    verify correct fuel filters and fuel psi regulator valve/spring in sec filter head
     
  8. 05chopper

    05chopper Light Load Member

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    Dec 25, 2008
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    When you par dyno the engine you should of got a fuel pressure reading plus all the data with it.Do you have a print out of the par?
     
  9. Far_Call

    Far_Call Medium Load Member

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    This is the New longer spring replacement kit Part number 339-4983 from Caterpillar which fits the later pumps only like whats on most ACERTS. The one with the allen key plug on the relief valve.
    The earlier ones with the 5/8 plug need to be shimmed like PaulE mentioned above.
    Just remember even if you buy a Brand new Pump it will have the short spring it it... No idea why Cat do this crap but buy a spring and keep that Fuel Pressure up there.

    Here is the Cat Service mag on it if anyone's interested
     

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  10. PaulE

    PaulE Medium Load Member

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    Jan 15, 2009
    Verona Wi
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    A friend got this new spring kit for 6NZ only gained 8 psi.

    Far call , reading your post sounds like your saying you cant shim on most Acerts. am i reading this right ? my MXS with allen head plug is shimmed.
     
    barbwire625 Thanks this.
  11. Far_Call

    Far_Call Medium Load Member

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    You can shim both if you want. The old 5/8 plug was hollow and you could sit the shims in that.
    The Allen head plug on the later ones is not hollow so you need to fit shims ontop and they need to have a hole in them to go over the spiggot.

    The later spring is a bit longer and "should" hold a set for longer as its supposed to but it will drop also.

    What I do is to drill and tap the plug and fit an adjusting screw with sealing Nut and then adjust it to the perfect pressure. :biggrin_25525:

    Make sure you have checked all other items in the fuel circuit first including.
    The o ring on the bleed valve
    The Filter both primary and secondary
    The filter head Check valve
    The filter head bypass valve
    Sucking air
    etc etc
    Low fuel pressure not only causes low power but also causes cavitation in the injectors and they wear out much faster.
     
    frankie f, j-dawg and mile-high Thank this.
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