Looking at getting a repaired salvage truck tractor with a DD 16 engine what’s the pros and the cons. anyone own one?
What Year and what Model?
It’s in a 2013 freightliner I’m gonna go look at it sometime this week. 550hp DD16 13k front 46k duals about 205 long . It’s got a 10 speed in it which I don’t love but it’s in my price range.
Check the cooling system, radiators can be a problem, Power steering pump check to see it doesn't whine and fluid is red. Check block/head on right side at the back, if head gasket leaks coolant that is normally where it starts. Ask if the coolant filter has been removed permanently , there was a service bulletin on that. Check the fuel line grommets where the fuel lines enter cylinder head {left side} those are common to leak. Check water pump {belt driven left side} those can weep. But most of all ask for paper work/service records for when the last time the valves and injectors were adjusted {no more than 150,000 miles between adjustments} despite what anyone says. Injectors run $960.00 ea for that engine. But there are some instances of valve issues with some DD15-DD16 engines {some not all and there is no telling which ones will have a issue and it's not all that common. Starter is on right side and takes the early style starter 12 tooth IIRC. Air compressor and power steering are located on the left rear of engine at bell housing. The gear train is at the back of engine. Find out when the last Emissions work was done-if it hasn't had what is called the {1 BOX} replaced} That's big money to replace it $9,000.00. They usually need the 1BOX replaced around 325,000 miles. Ask if the DEF pump has been changed. Check and see when it had belts and tensioner changed. Plus ask when the coolant hoses to air compressor were changed, those use a push-lock connection and will start leaking at the drop of a hat. Both are a pain to change, the short {L shaped one from block to compressor usually leaks first}. The other long one from water pump housing to compressor likes to start leaking at the support clamps. The originals were made of Black Nylon/Plastic, and have been upgraded also. Oil filter #A4731800909 $25.10 Fuel filter kit {contains two} #A4700903151 $59.61 11 gals oil capacity Air filter could be two choices and can run as high as $246.00 Belt tensioner was upgraded to a Gates #38677-DD does not service the original style tensioner anymore. AC/alternator belt number {last three digits 496} Fan drive Belt number {last three digits 635} Best I can tell you at this point.
Wow thank you for all that . Have you ever done a rebuild on one of those engines. Easy to get parts for. Or is this not a widely used engine ?
Oh it's a widely used engine. parts fairly easy to get OEM. We only buy trucks with a minimum of 500,000 mile warranty, some 750,000 warranty. So no I don't do internal work anymore, Freightliner can eat it.
That’s a great run-down, Truck Shop. I have three 2013 DD16 powered Freightliner M2s that I’ve been taking care of since new. Two package trucks and a 4600 gallon tanker. The first two years were not bad, but now they each go through a “1 box” annually. These three trucks have the most downtime of the entire fleet. Its mostly emission issues. My customer spends about $26,000 a year, per truck, just on exhaust aftertreatment repair. Warranty has been hit or miss. Freightliner denies much of it because of excessive idle time. Some driver abuse, some out of necessity since these trucks sit for long periods pumping off product in Arctic conditions. Often, the trucks never get enough highway time or speed to warm up enough to perform passive regens. The drivers have a difficult time managing active regens and then wait until it’s too late. The DC will only ship a “1 box” by ground. So, it takes about 4 weeks to get one to Anchorage. That’s under warranty. They won’t even give me the option to air freight it at my expense. The average “1-box” replacement runs about $17k It’s hard to find a good DD Tech. I know of only two qualified guys in Southcentral Ak. One whom worked for me and still does on occasion. The DD16 is probably much better suited for lower 48 highway duty in a mild climate vs severe vocational duty. Just a few thoughts,...
There is a extra warranty you can buy for the emission system, just they don't mention it when selling. All 67 of our tractors have it and it covers the 1 BOX.