C15, is it MPG and issues suicidal ?

I would be more worried about the fact that since it is a former werner truck there may have been a couple of dozen relatively inexperienced drivers in it. If that truck could only talk...

 

I can only reply from rumor from countless drivers/owners of the c-15 cat. since I have never owned one. I dont know. however no one I have talked to had any good things to say about m.p.g. 4-5 m.p.g. ave is what I hear. I am sure there can be exceptions.

 

I had a C-15 in my last truck. 2004 KW. got about 6mpg when I was REALLY carefull. Ran about 4.5 - 5.5 most of the time. But then I didn't buy the fuel then either.
There are a couple service issues with the engine if it's 2007 or newer. Only had to replace the HUEI pump in mine, other than regular service. Engine was strong, but the cummins in the other truck we had got about 1 mpg better than the cat. I could out pull speed wise up a grade like the Siskiyous, but all in all, I'd go for a cummins.
the other thing to think about is like another poster said... how bad was it mis treated? I don't know what Werner service is like. I've only heard rumors.
I suppose if it had under 500M miles on it, I'd consider it for the right price, but I think Werner hangs onto them into the high 600's before getting rid of them.

 

What are you pulling, and where? I think it's safe to say you can expect anywhere from 4 - 6 mpg depending on conditions. I've seen as low as 3mpg with mine and as high as 6.7mpg. My brother bought an ex-werner '05 W900L, 430hp C15 turned up to 500, 9spd converted to 13spd, very tall geared (3.21?) on low profile 22.5s and he's getting a little better than 5mpg overall average. ECM said previous life time average was 6.9mpg, whether that's accurate or not is anybody's guess.

 

a lot more to consider thna m.p.g. too. even if it has low mileage. some co's change their oil every 30- 40 thou miles. a MELTON DRIVER TOLD me they change oil every 30,000 miles. their trucks always look good, but the drive train maint, is more important to me.

 

I have a C15 600bhp in a 2007 Pete 379. It is very reliable and pulls like a locomotive but the most mpg i can get is 5.5.
On a bad day it can be worse. On a really bad day, a lot worse. (like 4.5).
Cats are good for durability but if you want fuel mileage, definitely not.

 

I would go with a detroit. one thing to consider when getting advice & opinions on what type of truck to buy. big trucks are just like our experience with cars. people are loyal to the their first car that gave them great service. some swear by Ford, while other swear by G.M. e.t.c. same with trucks. I have had a great experience with my ser 60 detroit, that it is the only engine I recommend, based on my experience with it. though it is my first & only truck. so most folks response will be honest, it will also be biased. there is also the luck factor too. I read some where on this board where someone paid$3900 for the turbo's that went out on his cat. approaching 1.4 mil miles & my turbo is still original. replacement for my turbo is $575.00 a big difference. I will give you a tip that benefitted me. when I went from deep kelly lug tires on my drives to hiwy tires, I gained 1 m.p.g. the deep lugs went over 300,000 miles.the longevity could not be beat, but since I didnt run in mud or snow, I did not need them. the m.p.g difference was enough to stay with the hiwy tread.

 

Do yourself a favor and buy an older truck, pre-EGR. If you really want to get something '04 or newer, get the Cat but make sure you can afford to run at 5.5mpg because chances are that's all you will get. I wouldn't want to own any of these EGR engines.