maxxforce engines pro's and con's

all new MAN engines are with EGR, Euro-V calibrated engines are with SCR.

Is Maxxforce offered w/o SCR in the USA? In Cylinder solution?

Well, may be I'm wrong, but I do not like CRD technology, that's why I do not like MAN D20 series engines.

 

Yeah all MaxxForce engines Strictly EGR and no SCR.

 

like Scania... I hope they will not use turbocompaund....

EGR is a weak part of MAN engines. On old pre CRD engines it was easy to block EGR, on newer engines you'll never find calibrations that work w/o EGR

 

My best guess would be that they will be running up to 55% EGR through the engine. I have not heard anything about the engine since mid part last year. Expecting to see something of it at the Mid America Truck show this year.

 

new emission standards make engines too expencive and less reliable. pre EGR engines are the best.

 

My company has experienced a rash of major problems with the Maxxforce. We had high hopes of avoiding SCR so the Maxxforce was the only choice. We have one Cat and one Cummins Prostars which seem to be fine. Two out of four of the 2011 Prostars with the Maxxforce have been trouble.

However a 2009 Maxxforce 13 totally blew up with a 175,000 miles. International did replace the engine under warranty but was down for about 2 weeks. Two of the 2011 Prostars have been plagued with check engine lights and plugged EGRs and EGR coolers. One is on the third EGR in 85000 miles. It also just had the engine wiring harness replaced. A 2010 Maxxforce cracked a head and burned out an exhaust valve with in 140,000 miles. This truck is down for 2 weeks for that repair. The Maxxforce's also plug up between the radiators causing the engine to run hot and lose power. A big concern is any deer hit will cause substainal damage to the massive radiator/charge cooler package.

We also run Volvos and Macks which have not been free of problems. Once fixed they have fixed we did not experienced the same problems. The International part availablity and tech support is no comparison to Volvo. In many cases it has taken days to get parts from International. Also International's dealer network has a limited number of Maxxforce Techs which makes it hard to get fixed on the road.

It is pretty clear from the number of 2011 Prostars on the Truckpaper International is taking back a large number of trucks that customers are clearly not happy with the down time, performance and fuel mileage. I have heard from others that they will replace 2011's with 2012's if the customer is not happy. I understand International is trying to do the right thing to keep their customers happy but these kinds of problems are very costly to the end user and really question purchasing any more Maxxforce engines given the problems. Our 2008 Volvo with a D12 engine with over 400,000 miles is the most reliable truck in the fleet along with being the oldest and with the most miles.

Sure hope International can finally resolve the issues. The drivers love these trucks because they are quiet and ride well. The 475 hp Maxxforce pulls great when it runs correctly.

 

Does make one wonder if they will ever go back to having a Cummins option, even though that would also mean SCR.

But they do have a few things in the wings they have been working on. One is a ammonia cartridge block that has the effect of SCR but is a solid block that would be changed at normal service interval. Do a search on amminex and you will see that Navistar has invested heavily in this. If they are planning something like this, it would allow them to stay with their "no other demands on the driver" mentality. this would allow them to dial back on the EGR somewhat and maybe reduce their present problems.

Actually I am kinda intrigued about this idea. I hope it happens. Makes sense to have a solid block of ammonia instead of having to dump in DEF. Also, I think Navistar is up against a wall and has to do something while at the same time not conceding defeat on the SCR issue.

Stay tuned.... the saga continues...

 

if amminex technology will work i guess it will be sheared with others too

 

I really hope International gets their ##### together when it comes to the egr issues.

I've stopped looking at International trucks as possibilities for my first new truck purchase. Even though I've called the Transtar w/ extended cab my dream truck before....

 

Like I stated, it sure is interesting and might be a promising move for both Navistar and truck owners. Even with a change of the guard in D.C., I don't see any backpedaling on EPA requirements any time soon. Navistar is going to have to come up with some other way of getting things done, especially since they have decided to go with only their engines in their trucks.

Personally, I have not ever had any issues with the idea of "downstream" emissions reduction. It is the "inside the engine" solutions since 2003 that have caused the virtually all the problems. I really don't want a "urine tank" and a "pipe burner" on my truck, but in the long term, it is going to be a reality for most of us. If Navistar can get away from EGR and go downstream, then it can only be better for everyone.

Until they and others get away from the EGR thing, it really only means serious consideration of a glider kit truck with pre-emissions engine option. At least for my buying dollars. With all the add on stuff after the engine, I still amazes me that they are even using any EGR at all. Even if it required a little more DEF to handle the NOx, anything is better than the maintenance issues associated with EGR.