DD13 vs DD15 might even think Dd16

That's a good advice. I'm going to try to get maintenance reports and ecm info on the trucks. What particular engine faults, updates, fixes, repairs would you say I should specifically check for to see if it was done on them. Reason i ask is because some of the dealers are carrying multiple identical trucks and I would like to be able to understand which one might have gotten something critical fixed over the other.

Thank you very much

 

I have a 2013 Western Star but it does have one of the last 2012 DD15's rated at 560 hp 1,850 torque. It's been a solid engine, good power and fuel economy.
I do have Detroit diagnostic software so I can change parameters.

 

how many miles do you have on truck? how do you know its 560 hp? engine label?

 

forget about getting maintenance records, just get the list what was done under warranty(updates, repairs). if its a truck from big fleet and has already 450-500k m spend another few thousand and change all bearings on crank. All big fleets are doing oil change every 50k miles. The oil pump has been modified 5 or 7 times within last two years. It cost $350 and worth to change it. You will have boosted jake brake and updated lubrication pressures. if you see a truck with green coolant stay away from that truck. try to get a truck which has extended warranty ( 500k ) on engine in case of liner related problems they will fix it.

 

we have Volvo 780 with cm2350 . runs from ca to east cost and back . always 40k plus lb.it has 300 plus miles and only one nox has been replaced on that truck. I was always Detroit man but now I deeply disappointed. DD15 is not bad engineered. It has cheap parts without quality. its coming some kind of tradition for Detroit. first they make product and then after failures change part's materials, designs,... who is paying for that ? we ! Don't belive me ? just open e-parts catalog and check it. on 472.903 engine within three years oil pump has been changed 4-5 times, head gasket 2 times, liner seals 3 times, high pressure fuel pump 4 times, ... common Detroit diesel (or whatever it is now) truckers do not have money printers !
However you can be lucky and your engine can be good one. I was not lucky but I had warranty.

 

I bought it new, now has 481,000 km (300,000 miles) . They made the 560 hp 1850 torque DD15 up to the end of December 2012, mine was built in November 2012. The EPA 2010 DD15's used an air pump for the DEF, which I have. The GHG 2013 went to an electric pump.

 

my truck's engine shows 565hp on engine label but when I go to rating section on dddl it shows 475 hp. I have lowered hp to 455hp because all my loads are 30k and less for better mpg.
Do you have factory filled red coolant in engine. if yes check it for silicate drop. Take off coolant filter and see for silicate signs on filter. Now Detroit says that all coolants in dd15 must be changed to Nitrite free OAT type. Its Rotella ultra ELC(yellow) and Rotella ELC NF. 2012-2013 factory filled coolants were not nitrite free.

 

Hmmm? Well I paid for a 560, DDDL says it has a 500 hp program in it.