Cummins ISX15 vs Paccar

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Midwest Trucker, May 24, 2020.

  1. Midwest Trucker

    Midwest Trucker Road Train Member

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    I’m looking at a 2016 680 with an ISX15 daycab with 200k miles. No warranty.

    Then, there is a 2018 680 daycab in the color I want but with a Paccar 455 same mileage with 2 yrs factory warranty available.

    Both trucks are the same price. My entire fleet is nothing but Cummins engines and I’ve not been a fan of Paccar engines but I’m sortof considering it to get a 2 yr newer truck with also 2 yr of warranty left. The Cummins I would have to buy 2nd owner warranty at $4500 but it wouldn’t cover emissions, just the actual engine.

    This is to replace my 2011 daycab with close to 700k on it. I wish I could find one with an X15 in it but it seems like 75% of KW daycabs out there have this Paccar. :\

    Anyone have experience with the newer 2018 Paccar engines? I know what to expect with the Cummins but never owned a Paccar.
     
    Last edited: May 24, 2020
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  3. Wespipes

    Wespipes Road Train Member

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    Imo paccar engines are trash. Hard to get them worked on. The isx has so many problems. So really pick your poison. But if I had to choose I'd pick the isx.
     
  4. Concorde

    Concorde Road Train Member

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    I have a 2014 T-680 with the MX-13, 500hp and 647,xxx miles. I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to buy another one.
    I drove a 2016 Volvo for 2 years with a Cummins 500hp and had no issues with it either.
    With the Cummins you’d have more options for getting it repaired.. With Paccar your only options are KW or Pete dealer.
     
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  5. Shawn2130

    Shawn2130 Heavy Load Member

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    My dad had a 2016 Kenworth sleeper with the ISX. 625,000 miles and near problem free. Just some sensors and a DEF doser.
     
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  6. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    My 2017 579 has the MX13 set at 510hp. My next truck will also have a Paccar without a doubt. It currently has 467k on it.

    It’s had one NOX sensor and harness replaced, the DPF was cleaned at 240k, and next Monday I’m dropping it off to get the DPF cleaned and a new exhaust manifold. Other than that it’s been just routine maintenance per the manual.

    And I’m not sure if your operation is weight sensitive or not but the MX13 is 6-700 pounds lighter than a Cummins also.
     
  7. Midwest Trucker

    Midwest Trucker Road Train Member

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    Yeah I’m partial to the Cummins anyway but that’s a huge plus in my mind being able to get it repaired anywhere. I have a great relationship with my local Cummins dealer but do have a local KW dealer as well. They are just always so backed up in never go there.

    Thanks for the feedback on your good experience with your Paccar.

    Great feedback man thank you. This one is the mx 13 only at 455 but I assume is the same engine as yours just presumably 1 yr newer. That’s very interesting on the weight. I do haul heavy loads but with the daycab weight isn’t normally as much of an issue anyway. That is still nice to know though. Would/will buy again certainly is a healthy endorsement.
     
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  8. Tropsnart

    Tropsnart Road Train Member

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    I had a 2018 paccar mx13 rated at 500hp. I kept it about 120k miles. The first 30k miles were trouble free but then the check engine lights started. And they just kept coming. Back to Peterbilt over and over . They'd clear the code , do a forced regen and send me away again. Sometimes it would derate other times the light would mysteriously just go off and it would run great. The #### cel was on more than not. 2019 with x15 zero issues sold at 130k. 2020 x15 zero issues first 40k miles. Cummins 100% Never had an isx though!
     
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  9. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    The previous owner of my truck had the same issue at first. Turns out they had bundled all the wires up too tight that went to the ecm and crimped one. Once they cut everything loose, repaired the single wire, and tied them back up a little looser than they were there hasn’t been an issue since.

    Peterbilt in Missoula said they had seen that issue multiple times with the MX13 but not on a Cummins. So the wire harness must be a touch shorter but they all get tied up the same at the factory.
     
  10. Midwest Trucker

    Midwest Trucker Road Train Member

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    Yeah the X15 is an incredible engine. I just wish I could find a used KW daycab with one for sale!

    Extremely interesting!
     
  11. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    They showed me how mine were tied up inside the frame rail compared to a new 579. They were bundled and zip tied ridiculously tight and then zip tied to the inside of the frame rail.

    The service manager told me when people complain about those phantom lights that come and go they start by cutting everything loose and unplugging it from the ecm. Then they just start inspecting wires one by one.
     
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