honest opinions about Peterbuilt 386

Performance out of the 386, the 13 speed, or the ISX?

 

Love Petes especially the 379s but this 386 I'm driving has electrical quirks,insulation is terrible can feel the air right through the door and mirrors shake bad almost feels like I'm driving a freightliner,well it's not that bad lol

 

Does it have about 250,000 miles on it? Search ISX oil, emissions, DEF, etc. problems. One 388 2013 here and it was great intell this. Sounds like it needs an inframe but after several weeks at the last dealer and thousands of dollars, a new DEF canister it lasted two weeks. Now told we cannot use our oil and oil filters anymore. It has a filter number on it I have never seen before and they said the special Cummings oil is $70 per gallon. Whats wrong with the Delo 400 LE that's on the factory fill sticker? My be some one with more knowledge can answer both our questions. Discount for a Pet because it has a 13 SP makes as much sense as $910 for oil, it holds 13 gallons.

 

ISX engines built during that time particularly the cm2250 had issues with carbon building up on the piston rings at around 250,000 miles they start scoring liners and have to be overhauled.

 

I own a 2014 Peterbilt with an ISX. In my opinion Kenworth builds a better truck I just can't stand the leg room. However the 13-speed has me leaning Peterbilt in your case.

 

This is not my truck and the rest of them here have Cats. It is an 1875? and was the most dependable untell now. Does anyone else thank that this special oil maybe used because it will not mess up the emission system and get to run past the warranty period?

 

I just bought a 2012 386 with a Cummins, 10 speed direct, 2.64 rear, APU, and super singles for 54500 with 478800 miles on it. I think it's a great truck. I came out of a Volvo 670 so it has taken some getting used to but I love it. I thought it would be bad on fuel but I have been getting better fuel than I got out of the Volvo. 7700 miles and my average is 7.8. I have had some days of 500-600 miles and end at 8 or 8.1 mpg. Ride is good and I don't have any vibration or mirrors shaking. The only annoying thing I have found, and maybe it's just mine, the hood squeaks so bad when you go over bumps. I am used to it now and just tune it out but in the beginning it was a little annoying.

With any emissions motor you must get the maintenance records. The DPF filter, DEF filter, and dosing unit all have regular service intervals. Many fleets do not service those components because they trade trucks so soon. This leads to all the horror stories you hear from guys that have bought these things and end up in the shop.