Urgent Advice from my Fellow Truckers!

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Tony The Trucksman, Sep 19, 2021.

  1. Tony The Trucksman

    Tony The Trucksman Bobtail Member

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    Sep 19, 2021
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    Hey Fellas!


    I need a fellow truckers advice! Im about to pick up my first truck and I’m looking at a 2016 Peterbilt 389 with a 550 Cummins , 18 spd with apprx 350k miles. Before I go on with the purchase, the fella in the dealer allowed me to test drive it to my job (120 miles roundtrip) and have the company’s mechanic take a look at it. Everything was going fine she rode mighty smooth for the time, but upon inspection we discovered 2 oil leaks one in the front structure and rear structure of engine and the mechanic said it will take at least 10+ hours of labor to fix them. Also, Axle seal leak & check engine came on for a sensor ( code 3146 ) which reads after treatment 1 scr outlet temperature sensor circuit. The mechanic said that’s not a deal breaker.


    The used truck dealer said they will fix all of the issues while updating me along the way throughout the job, and give me a 90 day warranty on their work.


    Should I be walking away from this deal or since it will be fixed should I take it?


    Also Is there something else problematic with this year of the Cummins engine I should look out for? As I mentioned earlier I drove it past 100 miles on the highway and she drove smooth, all the gauges were where they were supposed to be and the temp was 180 the whole way thru. And I’ve been looking at used trucks for a few months and haven’t found anything appealing but this one! I’m stuck here and don’t want to make a bad move as it’s my first truck! Lol...


    any advice will be helpful! I really don’t want any other truck but a Pete!


    Would really appreciate some advice from the fellow trucking community.


    Thanks in advance




    • Tony
     
    lovesthedrive Thanks this.
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  3. Big Road Skateboard

    Big Road Skateboard Road Train Member

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    I wouldn't call any of those issues deal breakers. Why the low mileage?

    Is it heavy specd?

    I'd think it was a custom order with those specs, which would lead me to believe it would have been driven by someone with experience.
     
  4. ZVar

    ZVar Road Train Member

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    I never could understand why dealerships don't fix the vehicle.
    Me: "This, this and this is broken.'
    Dealer: "We'll fix that as soon as you sign here."
    Me: 'Once you fix the issues give me a call and I'll sign." and leave.
    Never hear back from them.....

    As for the op. Oil analysis (maybe worthless if recently changed) dyno testing, and ecm dump (for idle hours and anything that jumps out).
    Personally I would never sign papers with a known after treatment problem. Those can get expensive quick.
     
  5. Espressolane

    Espressolane Road Train Member

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    Did you put a computer on it and look at the stored info or print it out.
    Is there any maintenance history available?
    If you have the vin, you could have a dealer run the build sheets and any history that is in the system. It would list all warranty work done.
    Also with the vin you could run a rig dig report.
     
  6. lovesthedrive

    lovesthedrive R.I.P.

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    google the vin. Any wrecks and repairs will be found in the search. If the dealer is going to make repairs. Ask for more than the 30 day warranty. If the dealer is confident, then so should you be as well.
     
    Tony The Trucksman Thanks this.
  7. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Why is this urgent?

    you afraid you will lose the “deal”?

    get a Dyno and blowby and all the other things that have been mentioned over and over. If it needs repair, get an estimate of the repairs and add 10% then take that off the offer.


    Never trust a dealer,
     
  8. Arctic_fox

    Arctic_fox Experienced mx13 execrator

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    Also plan on having the EGR, sootcan and def system cleaned. Also be ready to replace all the sensors and perhaps the 7th injector. I would be willing to bet money the reason its throwing SCR codes is the def system wasnt properly maintained and got clogged up and has likely taken at least a few sensors with it.
     
  9. Tony The Trucksman

    Tony The Trucksman Bobtail Member

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    Sep 19, 2021
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    I think it was used for local dump truck work before! And yes it is heavy spec d , 46k rear axles single frame with an insert and I believe it was a small dump truck company who used it and I was told by the dealer they buy new trucks every 5 years.

    Many Thanks! Appreciate your input.
     
  10. Tony The Trucksman

    Tony The Trucksman Bobtail Member

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    Sep 19, 2021
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    Thanks for your input! The cap is still nice and tight on my pen! Lol...
     
  11. Tony The Trucksman

    Tony The Trucksman Bobtail Member

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    Sep 19, 2021
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    I had the mechanic scan the computer for the check engine light only. I’ll definitely do some digging and see where I can run a history scan. Many thanks!
     
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