Question about engines

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Cptn_Deudermont, Dec 6, 2017.

  1. Cptn_Deudermont

    Cptn_Deudermont Light Load Member

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    While I would prefer to get a Kenworth W900, financially, I am able to go with an International ProStar - at least to start off with. A few of the trucks I am looking at have the "MaxForce" engine. These trucks are priced fairly cheap, and i know the "why" the engine was created, but would like to hear some detailed input as to if this motor is not worth the hassle. I would be getting the extended warranty (Engine, Diff, Trans, Critical) for it, so i wouldn't have to worry so much if the turbo goes, or the power steering fails, etc.

    Just curious as to why this engine causes the tractor to be so cheap.

    Please, be detailed - responses like "it's a crap motor" or "it's junk" are just going to be ignored.

    Please tell me WHY it's junk or crap - and not just because you think so. Please tell me about the performance issues, high fuel consumption, extensive repairs, or whatever it is that causes it to be junk or crap.
     
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  3. supersnackbar

    supersnackbar Road Train Member

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    The emissions system is VERY problematic. My last one had the DPF baked, then replaced, and then all the sensors on the emission system replaced, but it still kept requesting a parked regen almost daily. I have driven several Maxxfarce powered trucks, all had a hard time passing an International dealer without having some sort of warranty/recall that needed urgent attention. The EGR cooler lasted a little over 100k miles on my 1st one, the replacement cooler lasted just slightly longer...swapped to another truck, and by 140k it's EGR cooler had failed for the 2nd time. They also had constant issues with electrical problems. A Maxxforce certified mechanic at one of the dealers said the labor cost on those motors is a lot higher because the motor is so complex, that a lot of the emissions plumbing has to be removed before they even attempt any engine repairs. A simple overhead is something like a 8 hr job. In my opinion, IF you buy a Maxxforce Prostar...save your money for an engine swap down the road.
     
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  4. uncleal13

    uncleal13 Road Train Member

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  5. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    OK. Sound good to me.

    Personally I would stay away from an international with this engine but with a caveat.

    ALL engines have issues, you can have two coming off the same assembly line, put into the same truck with the same exact specs and have one run great for millions of miles while the other gives you nothing but problems from day one.

    To me it is always a crap shoot, so you want to lessen the risks of breakdown by going ahead with Due Diligence in checking out the truck from bumper to mudflaps. This includes spending the money to make sure it doesn't have issues that will cause you downtime.

    Be careful of extended warranties.

    Make sure you can use them anywhere.

    Go through the to make sure that specific items are covered. They may cover a turbo but they may not cover any ancillary items like a manifold or waste gate.

    Mainly because of the issues international has had with it, the market isn't kind to trucks with that engine in them and with the number of problems I've read about, the cost of ownership is way way too high, so that means the resale value is low.

    I really can't, I have to dig through the articles and the lawsuit info but others can shed some light onto the specific problems.
     
  6. marmonman

    marmonman Road Train Member

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    You asked for reasons why the engine is or is not worth the hassle and I will say that 37 years of owning trucks and trucking have showed me the reasons I am stating here for you .

    I will just throw this out there and you can do with it what you will.

    Here it is ..... If you cannot afford the kenworth W900 then you danged sure cannot afford an International with a well know and well documented problematic Engine in it regardless of warranty . The warranty will not make your truck payment and you always have to pay something out pocket no matter what .

    Give it some thought and sleep on it a bit . The choice you make will be life changing . The right choice and you can have a future in trucking the wrong choice can ruin you for a long long time .

    I know this sounds like I am WAY over stating this but it can and will make or break you financially .
     
  7. Steel Dragon

    Steel Dragon Road Train Member

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    It's junk..but hey driver..it's cheap!
    It has a warranty!
    :confused2::biggrin_25523::biggrin_2559::biggrin_25513:
     
  8. Steel Dragon

    Steel Dragon Road Train Member

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    That $10,000 savings will be spent in one month..hope you have a big bankroll to fund all the down time.
     
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  9. Justrucking2

    Justrucking2 Road Train Member

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    If it were me, and I had to have a ProStar, find one with the Cummins CM-871, preferably with a fresh in frame and NEW head that you can verify, and take it to Haggi Auto and Diesel in Griffin GA or over to Price's Diesel repair in Oxford PA. They will do the rest. Do that, and you will have a million mile truck with good care and just regular maintenance issues. Just speaking from experience...

    If you want to go the MaxForce or later Cummins motors, CM-2250, CM-2350, you will need very deep pockets, VERY DEEP. Again, speaking from experience. Myself, if I was in the market for a truck, I would find a pre emission unit 2003 or older, with a Detroit or ISX/N-14, preferably with a fresh in frame and go make some money! You can afford to repair a unit like that as you work and make money... The other route, figuring in truck payments, you will be broke in short order unless you are good mechanically and have a shop full of tools. Again, speaking from experience, and I have the bills to prove it. ;-)

    And if you plan on a warranty to save your bacon, just take what little cash you may have for a down payment and take a vacation with it. Or just take it out back and burn it. A warranty today ain't worth spit, you better learn how to work on your own truck along with learning the emission systems and acquire the needed skill and diagnostic equipment to keep it running. The dealers in most cases, once they get around to you in a week or two, will just want to throw parts at it, which gets very expensive very quickly, and they rarely fix the real issues. Been there, and done that. For what it is worth.
     
    Last edited: Dec 6, 2017
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  10. Cptn_Deudermont

    Cptn_Deudermont Light Load Member

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    After the first two responses, I started asking the dealers about the Maxxforce engine, and every single one of them told me that it would be in my best interest to avoid that engine because of the problems that come from them.

    Thank you for the input. Except this:

    That wasn't needed.

    As for

    I am trying to keep the finances realistic, as I don't want to bite off more than I can chew. So, I am trying to keep it around the $30k-$40k range, but will go upwards up $50k for the right truck - this is assuming I am able to secure the financing for it. I am not doing anything until I have the full $10k in hand (2 weeks or so).


    With regards to
    and


    I know the warranty will not make the truck payment, and that there will always be a cost of something - tires and brakes aren't covered - but having the warranty gives me that piece of mind that if something goes wrong that is covered by said warranty, I won't lose my ### right away. This is not something that I am walking into blindly (at least, i don't feel I am) due to researching it.
     
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  11. marmonman

    marmonman Road Train Member

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    I was not talking about tires and brakes and the regular wear items .
    I am talking about a oil cooler dying on you and needing to do an oil change you just did 2 days ago .
    Flushing the system getting towed to a shop all the extra shop fees .

    The warranty company turning down a repair is allot more common than you think it is . The list goes on and on .

    So by you going out and buying a engine that is known for problems is just setting yourself up for problems that will make a tough ob even tougher .

    It seems to me that you have your mind made up and that you believe the warranty company is your shield .
    I have tried to save you allot of pain and suffering by sharing my lifetime of trucking knowledge learned the hard way but it seems you want to feel the pain and suffering yourself . So I wish you the best and may luck be with you because you are going to need it .
     
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