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Help please! 2009 Pete 389 averaging 3.2 MPG

Discussion in 'Peterbilt Forum' started by kolody76, Jun 20, 2013.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Jun 20, 2013 #1
    kolody76

    kolody76 Bobtail Member

    3
    0
    Dec 6, 2012
    Pittston, PA
    0
    I have a 2009 Pete 389, cat c-15 engine, twin turbo, 13 speed. I can't seem to get any fuel mileage with it!!! I know that long nose Pete's aren't the best on fuel but I have been averaging 3.2 on my best day. I have had it to the caterpillar dealership and they said that the computer says its getting 6.5 which is not true. They set the engine to 70mph top speed and it seemed to get worse. If I can't solve this problem soon this truck is getting traded in in a hurry. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
     
    kolody76, Jun 20, 2013
    kolody76, Jun 20, 2013
    #1
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  3. Jun 20, 2013 #2
    no luck trucking

    no luck trucking Bobtail Member

    1
    0
    Jun 20, 2013
    0
    What do you have for gears? What sort of rpm are you seeing @ 65-75? I'm no expert at all but there's a chance if you still have your particulate filters they could be getting plugged up. I think its an issue on the 08-10 cats. Idk for sure just a thought
     
    no luck trucking, Jun 20, 2013
    no luck trucking, Jun 20, 2013
    #2
  4. Jun 20, 2013 #3
    Hammertyme

    Hammertyme Light Load Member

    91
    41
    Apr 23, 2013
    0
    Company I ran 4 had those motors and we couldn't get them to run worth a darn. This was the motor that killed CATS on-road cl-8 truck program. Some one out there makes a single turbo coversion kit to cure your problems.
     
    Hammertyme, Jun 20, 2013
    Hammertyme, Jun 20, 2013
    #3
  5. Jun 21, 2013 #4
    Pound Puppy

    Pound Puppy Heavy Load Member

    974
    868
    May 31, 2010
    Amherst, OH
    0
    What type of trailer do you pull? At any point were you getting good mileage and it dropped? Start simple trouble shooting, have the cac checked for leaks/cracks. Do you have good turbo pressure? Check air filter. And double check your math when you calculate, lol
     
    Pound Puppy, Jun 21, 2013
    Pound Puppy, Jun 21, 2013
    #4
  7. Jun 21, 2013 #5
    kolody76

    kolody76 Bobtail Member

    3
    0
    Dec 6, 2012
    Pittston, PA
    0
    I put 53 Ft Dry Van, The DPF filter was just replaced and was rechecked when some head to the DPF system went bad ( 1400 dollar repair). We have put a new air filter, fuel filter, had it on the computer at Cat, still no results. I just think its time to send it back to the for sale line.
     
    kolody76, Jun 21, 2013
    kolody76, Jun 21, 2013
    #5
  8. Jun 21, 2013 #6
    bubbanbrenda

    bubbanbrenda Road Train Member

    1,388
    650
    Feb 27, 2011
    Middletown,Oh.
    0
    1st, stay out of the Cat House. Take it to Randy (no one else) at Hunter Peterbilt Erie, Pa. He will make it as good as it's going to get LEGALLY, if the pollution police don't scare you, you can remove/gut the DPF and "fix" the ECM.
     
    bubbanbrenda, Jun 21, 2013
    bubbanbrenda, Jun 21, 2013
    #6
  9. Jun 21, 2013 #7
    bubbanbrenda

    bubbanbrenda Road Train Member

    1,388
    650
    Feb 27, 2011
    Middletown,Oh.
    0
    Actually it's not the motor that killed the Cat, its the fines they got trying to out smart the EPA is what did them in. The motor it self is probably the best one they ever built mechanically, BUT the after-treatments and "new" ECM settings added last minute is what's choking that motor. It's a fairly easy fix but not cheap, (not legal either).
     
    bubbanbrenda, Jun 21, 2013
    bubbanbrenda, Jun 21, 2013
    #7
  10. Jun 21, 2013 #8
    BrianE

    BrianE Light Load Member

    164
    79
    Mar 9, 2013
    Livingston Texas
    0
    Tire pressure?
     
    BrianE, Jun 21, 2013
    BrianE, Jun 21, 2013
    #8
  11. Jun 21, 2013 #9
    Tiffo60

    Tiffo60 Bobtail Member

    30
    31
    Jun 15, 2013
    Texas
    0
    I agree, if you want fuel mileage delete the all the EPA crap and get PDI to work there majic :)
     
    Tiffo60, Jun 21, 2013
    Tiffo60, Jun 21, 2013
    #9
  12. Jul 2, 2013 #10
    e500gvr

    e500gvr Light Load Member

    125
    32
    Aug 21, 2006
    Bloomington,MN
    0
    Cat Driving Tips may be of help. Think I attached a copy FYI.
     

    Attached Files:

    e500gvr, Jul 2, 2013
    e500gvr, Jul 2, 2013
    #10
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