Detroit 60 series 14 litre

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Woody13, May 15, 2010.

  1. Woody13

    Woody13 Light Load Member

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    Jan 4, 2009
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    The low pulling power seems to be built right into this 14 liter 515 Detroit. I still have 18 months of warranty on it or I would have already just pulled the plug on this project. If I'm not willing to drill out the fuel port, go with bigger injectors and a bigger turbo, then everything I've heard so far would be a waste of time.
    I've had this thing in the shop three times so far for over-heating. It could just be because it's such a suck ### engine on hills that it will always have this problem or it could be needing something done with the radiator. They have replaced the turbo. Then recalibrated the turbo. They replaced the EGR. They replaced the water pump, and it's still over-heating. I checked the radiator for built up blockage in the vents. It doesn't look that bad. I just bought a $600.00 pressure washer and had a special wand made to get the angle for trying to get it around corners to blow out anything blocking airflow. If this doesn't work then I am stuck with no other option but to take it in and let them R & R the radiator, remove the tanks and rod the #### thing out. My only consolation is that maybe the deductions will help me out when Uncle Sam wants some money at the end of the year.
     
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  3. losttrucker

    losttrucker Road Train Member

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    greenville,nc
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    Just a question.....but have you tried just dropping a gear when pulling a hill and have the rpm's up or above 1500??

    I have an '05 and I've noticed it heats up ALOT if I lug it from 1300 to 1450 rpm's pulling hills so I had to learn to just drop gears until I had to feather the pedal instead of just pedal on the floor while watching the temp gage about to overheat
     
  4. Woody13

    Woody13 Light Load Member

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    Yep, I sure have. When you only have 6 to 20,000 lb's in the box there shouldn't even be a struggle with a 515 to pull a hill. I've tried low RPM's as well as 21 hundred RPM and the results are the same.
     
  5. JohnP3

    JohnP3 Road Train Member

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    Feb 21, 2010
    Rock Creek B.C. Canada
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    If that engine is overheating with a partial load then you have a problem. A mechanic should be able to fix it. It has nothing to do with the engine if the rad is plugged or the bug screen does not have air flow threw it. There are a lot of reasons for over heating.
     
  6. Woody13

    Woody13 Light Load Member

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    Bug screen is clear. There is minor build up between the cooling fins. I just bought a pressure washer and soaked and blew it out and then went and bought another wand for the handle so I could get a better angle on it. I'll soak it again and try to clear it out better. I'm not holding my breath though as there really isn't much in there blocking air flow. It's a last ditch effort before I have the radiator taken out and cleaned. Not really looking forward to having to pay the bill on that one.
     
  7. Cat nip

    Cat nip Light Load Member

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    Jan 17, 2010
    Magnolia, TX
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    It's that low torque. I just went from an 1850 cat to a 1550 cat and what a nightmare. I'm saving up and heading over to see Mr. Haney!
     
  8. country29

    country29 Medium Load Member

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    Feb 27, 2010
    Arkansas
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    has anybody checked the thermostats? or engine fan?
     
  9. Woody13

    Woody13 Light Load Member

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    Thermostat is fine and the fan hub was rebuilt when the EGR was changed out.
     
  10. kenw007

    kenw007 Bobtail Member

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    Dec 12, 2009
    mb canada
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    If your pulling the rad--new cores are reasonable for price if you shop around--even a 4-core if you need--i've never had any luck taking rads out to clean and then still having a heating problem--do it right the first time and you'll be glad you did!:biggrin_255::biggrin_255::biggrin_255:
     
  11. Woody13

    Woody13 Light Load Member

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    Jan 4, 2009
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    I'll find out this week most likely if the cleaning with the pressure washer did any good. Company left me sitting all last week after I refused to lay down in Florida for 4 days when they couldn't find me a load out of there after they had already been looking for three days with no luck. Like I told them, I'm not the guy if they can't keep the truck moving. If I have to be away from home, I'm working. PERIOD..!!!
    Anyways, if they can get me going.... I'll cross my fingers and hope that I get better cooling after cleaning the cooling fins out this week.
     
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