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cat c15 blown head gasket

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by ScarfaceTrucking, Jul 1, 2020.

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  1. Jul 1, 2020 #1
    ScarfaceTrucking

    ScarfaceTrucking Bobtail Member

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    hello everyone needing some advice here, buddy of mine is trying to sell me his 06 kw cat c15 mxs, he was on a run when it overheat and he had no coolant, filled it up and lost all his coolant again on his way home, empty truck dont smoke or loose coolant only loaded, he found it was the head gasket and just parked his truck and used another truck, its been 6 months and hes wanting to sell it, the truck did have a new head put in 3 - 4 years ago and that was pretty expensive ordeal, but no overhaul.

    my question is how risky is this because if its just a bad gasket thats fine i can fix it cheaply, but from what i read online in the c15 when blows head gasket is because of liner problems? can it be the overhaul is already bad?

    if i buy this truck and the liners are no good its going to cost me badly... so im kinda nervous, just wondering if the c15 just like to randomly blow head gaskets of its a liner/block problems more likely.

    thanks to you all
     
    Last edited: Jul 2, 2020
    ScarfaceTrucking, Jul 1, 2020
    ScarfaceTrucking, Jul 1, 2020
    #1
    stillwurkin Thanks this.
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  3. Jul 1, 2020 #2
    stillwurkin

    stillwurkin Road Train Member

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    Just plan on a inframe. New head and all. Hopefully he didn't run it long and hot, and warp the block. Heat is a killer.
     
    stillwurkin, Jul 1, 2020
    stillwurkin, Jul 1, 2020
    #2
    Dino soar, Shawn2130 and ScarfaceTrucking Thank this.
  4. Jul 1, 2020 #3
    bad-luck

    bad-luck Road Train Member

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    When you do a head gasket, it is ALWAYS best to send the head to a machine shop, they check for cracks and cut the head. You want to get the block cut as well. You wont know until it is taken apart and sent to the machine shop if the head is cracked, if it is you will need a new or remanufactured head, and you wont be given a core credit on a cracked head. Don't ever expect that when an engine has a blown head gasket that is all it needs
     
    bad-luck, Jul 1, 2020
    bad-luck, Jul 1, 2020
    #3
    401-Alex, Dino soar, Muddydog79 and 4 others Thank this.
  5. Jul 1, 2020 #4
    ScarfaceTrucking

    ScarfaceTrucking Bobtail Member

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    yea its really risky i wish there was a way to find what the damage really is, also the truck did have its HP turned up for a while im sure that also could of caused problems.

    cat is amazing when they running good but man when they break its $$$$

    is there any tests that can be done to rule out if there damage in the block/liners or its basically have to come out?
     
    ScarfaceTrucking, Jul 1, 2020
    ScarfaceTrucking, Jul 1, 2020
    #4
    Superhauler Thanks this.
  7. Jul 1, 2020 #5
    Superhauler

    Superhauler TEACHER OF MEN

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    Pull it apart, your going to have to anyway. If he ran it out of coolant may have cracked head. Buy aftermarket head there are two aftermarket places that sell top notch. Your probably going to have to pull the liners if the protrution is off to cut the counterparts for shims. Get low comp pistons and do a vva delete. You won't be sorry. There are many options to do to repair it. You just won't know till you have it apart.
     
    Superhauler, Jul 1, 2020
    Superhauler, Jul 1, 2020
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    Muddydog79 and BoxCarKidd Thank this.
  8. Jul 1, 2020 #6
    bad-luck

    bad-luck Road Train Member

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    No there is not. It needs to be taken apart. A liner could have dropped as well. Plan for the worst hope for the best
     
    bad-luck, Jul 1, 2020
    bad-luck, Jul 1, 2020
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    Superhauler Thanks this.
  9. Jul 1, 2020 #7
    Superhauler

    Superhauler TEACHER OF MEN

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    You have to pull it a part. If it had a modifyed tune in it. That is the reason the headgasket failed ill bet. The acerts run a high comp piston. When the hp is "turned" up the headgasket can't hold the pressure. There is no easy fix.
     
    Superhauler, Jul 1, 2020
    Superhauler, Jul 1, 2020
    #7
  10. Jul 1, 2020 #8
    ScarfaceTrucking

    ScarfaceTrucking Bobtail Member

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    thanks to you both for your advice, im just trying to save some $$$, the chances that the head gasket blew or head cracked and liners are good are slim to none... right?
     
    ScarfaceTrucking, Jul 1, 2020
    ScarfaceTrucking, Jul 1, 2020
    #8
    bad-luck Thanks this.
  11. Jul 1, 2020 #9
    bad-luck

    bad-luck Road Train Member

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    It is a gamble, either way it's going to be expensive. Just a conservative example if it is JUST a blown head gasket. $700 to cut the head, $1500 to cut the block, $500 for the head gasket, $2500 labor...
     
    bad-luck, Jul 1, 2020
    bad-luck, Jul 1, 2020
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    b61mack and Superhauler Thank this.
  12. Jul 1, 2020 #10
    rydr

    rydr Light Load Member

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    If the head is cracked you can get a core credit, as long as the casing isnt cracked you will get the core credit. I have done this myself.

    give peterbilt a call when looking at cat parts they are typically cheaper than the cat dealers. Cat wanted 5000 + 1700 core + tax for a 3406e gold kit, I got the same kit at peterbilt for 3300 + 1600 core + tax for 5300. I got a quote for 3700 with tax for the head at peterbilt aswell
     
    rydr, Jul 1, 2020
    rydr, Jul 1, 2020
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    BoxCarKidd Thanks this.
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