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Old 06-09-2016, 11:07 AM   #1
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C-7 good choice or not

thinking of buying a 2006 winnebago that has a c-7 in it with 9000 miles on the odometer . never had a diesel pusher before , had two gas Class A's but this has the low mileage and floor plan we want. Is this an engine that I should be concerned about, what are it's faults .. thanks people...signed...just not sure
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Old 06-09-2016, 02:49 PM   #2
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These Cat engines are not very tolerant , of lack of service , oil changes in particular.
Are there service records available?
Even with less than 1,000 miles per year , I'd hope that at least, it had the oil changed every second year.
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Old 06-09-2016, 03:38 PM   #3
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I have over 55,000 miles on my 2006 Journey 36G with the 350 Cat C-7. I like it and find it does well. We have traveled all over the east coast and the Atlantic provinces in Canada. I have averaged over 8 miles to the gallon, but often get near 9 if I slow down under 65 mph. I would check the engine computer for the real mileage vs what is on an odometer, some folks have had the odometer reset back to zero miles for reasons unknown. I would have the engine oil tested by Blackstone labs if possible.

I change my oil and filters every 5,000 to 6,000 miles which is what I drive in a typical year. Usually have to add a quart or two of oil over the 5,000 miles. My annual Blackstone oil analysis say everything has been fine over the years.

I find the performance of this engine to be just fine even when towing our car (use to be a GMC Acadia, now a Honda CRV) through the eastern mountain ranges we have encountered on our travels so far.
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Old 06-09-2016, 04:25 PM   #4
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Agree w Skip on Maintenance , I bought mine used w 30k miles..have it for 3 yrs and 39k miles now and knock on wood....just done oil and air filter changes.
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Old 06-09-2016, 04:34 PM   #5
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I have owned my 2005 journey 36G for two years and I like driving it.
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Old 06-09-2016, 05:05 PM   #6
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Jump on it if it fills your wants. C7 is as good as any Cummins. Just give it a good service and hit the road.
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Old 06-09-2016, 05:13 PM   #7
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Good engine, needs good, clean oil to function correctly. Depending on the weight of the rig it could be short on torque. I know it would be for me but then I like HP/torque!!
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Old 06-09-2016, 05:30 PM   #8
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First item on the list. Change the oil. From then on, trust it and learn as much as you can.
CAT say's
11,000 miles
1000 gallons of fuel burned or once a year.

When we wen to Alaska in 2015, oil was changed in Feb 2015. I burned 900 gallons of fuel. When I arrived in Tok, AK around late Aug, I had the oil changed again.
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Old 06-09-2016, 05:31 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ralochy View Post
thinking of buying a 2006 winnebago that has a c-7 in it with 9000 miles on the odometer . never had a diesel pusher before , had two gas Class A's but this has the low mileage and floor plan we want. Is this an engine that I should be concerned about, what are it's faults .. thanks people...signed...just not sure
I have a 2004 34H Itasca Meridian with 115,000 miles, towing a 2003 CR-V.
Love it, Love it. Plenty of power, runs great, not temperamental at all. Change the oil, Rotella 15-40 every 10,000 miles myself. I do all my own service and have never had any issues. As far as power, it will pass almost all other Motorhomes going up hills and cruise all day long at 70 MPH.
Sitting is what takes a toll on Motorhomes. The more it's driven the less problems.
Any questions, message me.
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Old 06-09-2016, 06:26 PM   #10
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I guess , I should have mentioned ; the age of the tires would be my main concern . Six years with my Cat ; 3126B was the forerunner of the C-7 , and only one persistent oil leak , the persistent part was due to me installing aftermarket parts, two years with genuine Cat items and no leak.
If the mileage is correct , you like the floor plan ,and you're satisfied that servicing has been done , JMHO, write the check.
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Old 06-09-2016, 06:39 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ralochy View Post
thinking of buying a 2006 winnebago that has a c-7 in it with 9000 miles on the odometer . never had a diesel pusher before , had two gas Class A's but this has the low mileage and floor plan we want. Is this an engine that I should be concerned about, what are it's faults .. thanks people...signed...just not sure

Is this coach in Yuma?
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Old 06-09-2016, 07:32 PM   #12
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Pay no attention to it being short on torque unless you plan on drag racing with it. My C7 pushes my 40 ft 4 slide Providence as fast as I want to drive it.
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Old 06-10-2016, 05:42 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ralochy View Post
thinking of buying a 2006 winnebago that has a c-7 in it with 9000 miles on the odometer . never had a diesel pusher before , had two gas Class A's but this has the low mileage and floor plan we want. Is this an engine that I should be concerned about, what are it's faults .. thanks people...signed...just not sure
ralochy
In my experience when you own and USE a diesel powered motor home the chassis and house components are far more troublesome than the engine.
I have a 250HP Caterpillar 3126 engine, (an earlier version of the C-7).
I've had no engine problems in 20 years, (148,000 miles).
Mel
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Old 06-11-2016, 06:56 PM   #14
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it can't be stressed enough that the C7 needs frequent oil/filter changes as the HEUI pump(which powers the injectors) is VERY tempermental and needs clean oil to function properly. I can change my own oil/filter for about $80 so I do it often. That's just me.
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