Burnt engine

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Curly88, Jan 24, 2020.

  1. Curly88

    Curly88 Light Load Member

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    May 16, 2012
    Rexford Mt
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    My log truck caught fire yesterday. I stepped away for 15 min and came back to see the cab and rear of the engine ablaze. I have no idea what caused it but I'm thinking electrical because the fire seemed centered around the firewall driver's side.
    Anyway my question is, Is the engine worth anything? 96 3406e 550 cat. It was running when it caught fire, but not when I first saw the fire. The back valve cover is melted pretty bad but otherwise not much but accessories on the out outside got toasted. My concern is the internals. I can see see the inside of the engine thru the air intake hole. One guy told me it'll be perfectly fine but I want more opinions. I just sunk 6k in the head and oil cooler last fall.
    Insurance sounded very excited when I said I'm interested in buying the truck back so I'm kinda curious on what all your thoughts are. This happened yesterday so it'll be a little bit before there adjuster comes to check it out
     

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  3. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    Gettin' down westbound
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    Count ur blessings brotha ! Somebody was looking over ya shoulder and got u out of the truck before she was set ablaze
     
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  4. Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    If it were me...

    The first thing I would do is make sure that the engine is sealed and no weather or wetness or anything can get into it.

    Then I would look at the Block and the valve covers and the heads and see if anything is melted or looks like it got really hot.

    I would carefully take the valve covers off and be careful you don't drop anything into the engine. Then I would look and see what it looks like inside especially the valves and pushrods if everything looks okay.

    Then I would put a big socket on a big pull bar and see if the engine will turn over without any problem.

    If all that is okay then you probably could change the oil and see if anything is in it, and change antifreeze and service your oil cooler, water pump, and whatever gaskets or O-rings could have melted in the fire, hoses, etc.

    But you probably are okay. If you have anything to replace it is probably on the top end.

    Glad you are safe.
     
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  5. TTNJ

    TTNJ Heavy Load Member

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    Nov 21, 2017
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    It isn’t worth anything

    Where can I pick it up and get rid of it for you?
     
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  6. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    The block, crank and head may be salvageable. Myself I wouldn't sink a dime into it without at least stripping it down to the long block and doing a thorough inspection.
     
  7. Curly88

    Curly88 Light Load Member

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    May 16, 2012
    Rexford Mt
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    on the side of Pinkham Mountain south of Trego Mt. 19 miles off St Hwy 93
     
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  8. Curly88

    Curly88 Light Load Member

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    May 16, 2012
    Rexford Mt
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    Thanks. I'm getting it pulled back to the yard where I'll have a little time to look at it in more detail. I've already found another truck almost identical to this one so I'm looking at this one for more of a parts truck because I know the transmission and rears are still good.
    I'm kinda curious what insurance will sell it for.
     
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  9. Deere hunter

    Deere hunter Road Train Member

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    We had an 01 burn like that it always starts down by the starter I don’t know why Peterbilt‘s are bad about that the older ones anyway .
    bought it back for $2100 it’s worth every penny
     
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  10. Rubber duck kw

    Rubber duck kw Road Train Member

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    I would pull it and see what it looks like inside. May need a different head and injector solenoids are probably toast. The block and internals should be fine though.
     
  11. daf105paccar

    daf105paccar Road Train Member

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    If it was me ......i would not make the effort to look at the engine.


    @spsauerland
    @pushbroom
     
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