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6nz C15 - weaknesses, concerns etc.

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Kellyb, Mar 27, 2011.

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  1. Mar 27, 2011 #1
    Kellyb

    Kellyb Light Load Member

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    Jan 20, 2011
    TX
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    Looking at a C15 470 with 1 million miles on it (in a shaker classic). I know these motors are popular but are there any major weaknesses and things to pay particular attention to in a high mileage 6nz? It was supposedly overhauled at 700k but no papers - the guy currently driving it bought it from an older gentleman that had taken really, really, good care of it. He supposedly inframed it at 700k then driven it for another 200k before he retired. Current owner has had it a couple of years and now has decided to dedicate himself 100% to his restaurant business. The truck is easily the cleanest 10 yr old shaker classic I've ever seen. According to my mechanic friend who took a look at it definitely looks great - no oil leaks or anything else to note. Current owner says it uses 1 gallon of oil at 15k change intervals, which sounds pretty good, but I'm not sure if that's typical of what a typical 6nz with 1 million original miles would do - I'm concerned about the high mileage and lack of paperwork on the inframe, but everything else seems good and I know these motors have a fanatical fanbase and a lot of them still on the road. Thought I'd ask to see if there is anything I should pay particular attention to.
     
    Kellyb, Mar 27, 2011
    Kellyb, Mar 27, 2011
    #1
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  3. Mar 27, 2011 #2
    montanaman

    montanaman Bobtail Member

    12
    4
    Jan 22, 2011
    billings montana
    0
    Run the overhead and test the CAC, for starters. If it has sat for an extended period, then change the water hoses oil/filters and coolant. You should be on a good start. Those items will cause most of your initial problems. Keep real accurate record of fuel comsumption to establish a baseline per your operation. Then any variances can alert you of unseen problems coming at you.
     
    montanaman, Mar 27, 2011
    montanaman, Mar 27, 2011
    #2
  4. Mar 27, 2011 #3
    black_dog106

    black_dog106 Road Train Member

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    MA
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    By your description, it sounds like a truck that has been taken care of? With no papers, what has been done to it? Not trying to be a pessimist, but with a million miles, repairs are going to be needed. It might be in another 400K or it might be next week? It will start to nickel and dime you, but still should still be cheaper than new truck payments. I would keep that in mind as you negotiate your price.
    I wouldnt want a new truck with all the crap they have now. Others here will have much better advice...:biggrin_25514:
     
    black_dog106, Mar 27, 2011
    black_dog106, Mar 27, 2011
    #3
  5. Mar 27, 2011 #4
    Kellyb

    Kellyb Light Load Member

    80
    21
    Jan 20, 2011
    TX
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    That's the thing - Even though it's extremely clean, doesn't use much oil, and doesn't have any oil leaks I'm operating under the assumption nothing has been done to it so I'm wondering if theres anything else in particular that might alert me not all is well. I have a friend with an N14 with 900 K thats gradually been increasing oil consumption over the last year - he's now up to 2 gallons per week so he pretty much knows an inframe is coming soon. I see nothing like that on this motor but i might be missing something. If I could get a couple of years out of it without major issues I'd be pretty happy. How likely is it a 6nz without oil leaks all the sudden blows something major?

    Duly noted. Thanks
     
    Kellyb, Mar 27, 2011
    Kellyb, Mar 27, 2011
    #4
  7. Mar 27, 2011 #5
    paul 1052

    paul 1052 Heavy Load Member

    899
    346
    Oct 9, 2010
    Sand Springs, Ok.
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    Run the engine serial # through Cats computer, see what records there are if Cat inframed it there will be a record of it.

    I wouldn't trade mine for 3 new trucks.
     
    paul 1052, Mar 27, 2011
    paul 1052, Mar 27, 2011
    #5
  8. Mar 27, 2011 #6
    Kellyb

    Kellyb Light Load Member

    80
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    Jan 20, 2011
    TX
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    I already did that Paul and nothing came up on it from CAT. Do things only show up on trucks if they were worked on at CAT dealers or should it show up if they used CAT parts regardless of where it was worked on?
     
    Kellyb, Mar 27, 2011
    Kellyb, Mar 27, 2011
    #6
  9. Mar 27, 2011 #7
    rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    Mar 29, 2008
    TN
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    I wouldn't be so worried about the motor but the rest of the truck would be a concern. I've got a million mile MBN with good oil pressure and no oil consumption between 10k intervals. But the rest of my truck has been one thing after another. just recently installed 6 new front leaf spring bushings. They're the nongreasable kind and one was completely gone. All new u-joints and carrier bearing. New rear seal on the trans, new front seal. New clutch. List goes on and on. With hindsight I wished I had gotten a truck with 350,000 miles instead of 750,000.
     
    rollin coal, Mar 27, 2011
    rollin coal, Mar 27, 2011
    #7
  10. Mar 27, 2011 #8
    112racing

    112racing Road Train Member

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    pocono's, pa
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    only if done in a cat shop or a warranty repair......with that mileage unless they can show paperwork for a recent inframe it's safe to say it could need a $10-15,000 rebuild at any time
     
    112racing, Mar 27, 2011
    112racing, Mar 27, 2011
    #8
  11. Mar 27, 2011 #9
    Mr. Haney

    Mr. Haney Road Train Member

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    Dec 17, 2008
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    I'd take it to a CAT facility and have them dyno test it for power output and crankcase pressure at full load. Download the ECM for engine history to verify the miles and hours on the engine. If this truck has been taken care of as well as you say and driven by an experienced driver that takes care of the things as they break..............I wouldn't be afraid to purchase it. I've seen these motors running strong with over 1.3 million miles on them without any major work being performed to them during this time.
     
    Mr. Haney, Mar 27, 2011
    Mr. Haney, Mar 27, 2011
    #9
  12. Mar 27, 2011 #10
    BADGASS

    BADGASS Bobtail Member

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    Mar 2, 2010
    0
    If your at the dealer, might consider an oil and antifreeze sample for testing.
     
    BADGASS, Mar 27, 2011
    BADGASS, Mar 27, 2011
    #10
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