Trying to buy a Kenworth T660

For what it's worth.....I did a LOT of reading about the 07 emission (DPF, no DEF) motors before buying this one.
The Cats were a no brainer, no good. Cummins were having some pretty major issues, so no go there.
The International engines are a no go for me, as were the Paccar junk.
I went with a S60, partly due to being able to rip it all off at the end of warranty pretty easily, and partly due to it being the best of a bad bunch. It's also a pretty known quantity, and has given me absolutely zero emission related problems. Like I said, it's under warranty yet, but no issues to report.

Martin

 

I dont have any water leaks. My A/C was leaking from condensation inside the cab on the passenger side floor. The drip tube was clogged from an accumulation of dust and dirt. Fixed that. Not pointing any fingers at you,.. but most company drivers dont take a ventured interest in the truck they drive to care enough about the little things that end up causing larger problems down the road. So the trucks end up how they end up. This is with any truck.

For the most part this has been a good truck, especially considering the mileage I bought it at and where I am now. I have had to put some money into it to get it where it is now. But thats with any truck IMO. I'm still slowly weeding through it, trying to get various bugs worked out. Others I have just decided to live with as its not that prudent to repair. As long as its making me money, I will spend money on it to keep it in good condition. I'd probably sink money for a new motor in it when this one goes. At least I'll know what I have vs another truck with someone elses problems.

Hurst

 

I know someone running a 2008 386 with C15 now and he 'modified' the emissions on it. Basically its there (More or less),.. but not functional. He's claiming 7 mpg with zero down time in the last 10 months.

I've taken an interest because I'd do something like that. But waiting to see if he has any um,.. issues,.. whether with officials or shops. He says he can take it to any shop for mechanical repairs and they wont know whats done to it.

I've always err'd on the side of caution,.. letting other people do as much of the trial and error before I jump in with both feet. Personally I'd love to buy a low mileage 2010-2011 386 with the last of the C15's and do as he did. But I dont want to invest that kind of money until I know exactly what the risks and consequences are. Or at least how to deal with them.

Hurst

 

If you only running the mid west, by a 03 or below, pre emmisions engine. Anything above that has nothing but problems. Only reason to by a 08 and above is if you run California. 04-07 with EGR engines are just not worth it at all, they have their issues. 03 and below, if something goes wrong, it's easy to fix for cheap.

 

Honestly if you don't run CA then why bother with an emissions engine, I wouldn't but unfortunately I live here and so does ALL my family so I have to deal with this C.A.R.B. BS so I can say I truly envy you guys that can run these older trucks

 

I have heard of horror stories from Cat owners after having the stuff pulled off, but not left on. Either way though, it HAD to be programmed out of the ECM, so still easy to check I think?
When this is out of warranty.......

 

I have had good experience with the 07 trucks with Cat engines. Pre DPF. Most of the 07 model trucks(at least all that I have looked at) have engines that were made in 06 and don't have the DPF system. If you buy an 07 just check it out to see if it has a DPF.
My last truck was an 07 Pete 386 with a C15. I liked the truck but I had to pet the engine to get decent fuel economy. I currently have an 07 Western Star with a C13. I have put about 100,000 miles on it since I bought it. The fuel economy is a little better than the C15 even though it is anything but aerodynamic. My experience with the C13 has been OK but I know many don't like them. A few years back I had a C12 bridge engine (which also has a bad reputation) in a 2004 Pete 387 which I had good luck with. I've wished many times I had kept it.

I would recommend the C15 Assert in an 07 or older (make sure it does not have a Diesel Particulate Filter). Or go back to older Detroit or Cummins before EGR (exhaust gas recirculation). The EGR engines for the most part began in the 2004 model year trucks. Some 2003's may have them some do not. Once you have looked at one with egr and one without it is easy to see the difference.

 

I hope I dont get in trouble for talking about this here on TTR. If so, I guess a mod will just need to EDIT my post.

But the way his 'modifcations' were explained to me,.. the ECM was not modified regarding the emissions portion of the tune. The ARD head is still there and very functional. What was done was the lower sensor was modified to tell the ECM that the DPF is always clean and no need for the ECM to trigger the ARD head to ignite the exhaust. The DPF of course is no longer a DPF anymore. Thats all I will reveal about that.

I have a similar set up on my wifes Mustang. It has an off road mid pipe (No cats). I just plugged an OBDII termination plug into where the rear O2 sensors used to be and they tell the ECM that the exhaust is within legal parameters so no check engine light comes one. No need to tune out the rear O2's.

Hurst

 

Was 06 a cross year for DPF and none DPF ACERT motors? I thought all 06 had DPF?

And I completely agree. The ACERT motor itself is not that bad. Mechanically mine has been flawless in the 1.5 yrs I have been running it. I've put roughly 200k mi on mine.

In fact, by fixing some other things that had been neglected and showing their age, I have increased my MPG, and even though its a 435hp motor, it will still climb a hill as well as any CAT before it.

I personally love CAT and the early Cummins (N14 and earlier) motors. I have driven a couple of the newer ISX motors (475 and a 500hp). Power wise they didnt feel any stronger then a comparable CAT. You can lug a CAT lower in the RPM band then a Cummins and still have power. What I did like about the ISX was that the Jake felt much stronger and gave you more confidence going down a hill heavy.

Hurst