Community Forums

Catstorman · 10-12-2011, 03:52 PM

Hello Folks,

I am fishing for some , any information anyone might have about adverse experiences with the Caterpillar C-7 diesel engine. I have a 2005 Gulfstream Crecendo with that engine, an Allison 6 speed, and a Freighliner chassis. According to the freightliner repair shop the Heiu (fuel) Pump failed and distributed metal pieces throughout the rest of the fuel delivery system, destroying all the injectors. Total repairs. 2 days and $7298.87.

My research indicates that Cat has known about this problem for a long time and has failed to take steps to remideate the problem. My unit only has 36,000 miles, seems awfully soon for that type of equipment to fail due to lack of the integrity of the material. At first blush, Caterpillar denies any warranty responsibility due to the age of the coach.

Anybody got any tales to tell ??

CAT Lover · 10-13-2011, 11:38 AM

CAT & Freightliner are known to use any excuse not to honor the C7 warrenty since they stopped making highway rated motors 3 years ago. The engines produced from 03' to 06' were known to have many issues as CAT changed manufactors that produced many engine parts. 36,000 miles isn't alot of mileage, but CAT & Freightliner don't always go by mileage they go by hours on the engine as well.

if your warrenty was 5/100,000 than it is out of warrenty you may beout of luck. Most likely you will have to pay this out of pocket . You may want to look into finding a good independent shop that works soley on diesels & save some money. You could get a lawyer & sue both CAT & Freightliner. I'm surprised there hasn't been a class action suit yet.

Dixieray53 · 10-13-2011, 03:29 PM

Here is some info.. we have our second blown turbo in 2 months and 3,000 miles.
We were told today that the reason Cat does not have any parts for the C7 is they sold that line to a manufacture in Minnesota. Now after 3 weeks of giving us the run around they have the owners of the C7 engine line sending a compatible turbo...
We shall see. So if you did not get an extended warranty, you might be stuck. But there should be someone looking into a class action lawsuit. I think Cat has screwed us all... D

Catpowered · 10-18-2011, 04:02 PM

Castorman, read my posting "Cat C-7 just quits". It was the HEUI fuel pump which failed at 48,000 miles. I always thought Caterpillar was a reputable company, but they are putting their heads in the sand when it comes to this known problem. Most reputable companies will issue a recall when known defective parts are causing their owners so much grief, whether in warranty or not. It's probably a good thing that CAT got out of the over-the-road engine business for they certainly don't give a rip about their RV customers.

Poptop · 10-24-2011, 05:15 PM

I was at the Cat dealer (Wagner Rental) in Albquerque, NM, last week and they have three new HEUI pumps for the C7 on the shelf. About $1185 each plus a refundable $550 core deposit. Didn't ask about injectors or labor costs.

ajm12 · 10-24-2011, 06:05 PM

The HEUI is not the only problem. The fan bearing is also a bad part. Mine just when out. I was lucky. I heard a bad bearing noise when i was unhooking my toad. I quickly shut down. Started checking around and found my fan so loose i wondered what was holding it in. I was lucky it did not damage my radiator. I will have it towed to a cat shop tomorrow then i will find out what this might cost.
Mind did not have a grease fitting.

wagonmaster2 · 10-25-2011, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dixieray53

Here is some info.. we have our second blown turbo in 2 months and 3,000 miles.
We were told today that the reason Cat does not have any parts for the C7 is they sold that line to a manufacture in Minnesota. Now after 3 weeks of giving us the run around they have the owners of the C7 engine line sending a compatible turbo...
We shall see. So if you did not get an extended warranty, you might be stuck. But there should be someone looking into a class action lawsuit. I think Cat has screwed us all... D

Wonder how many extended warranties would cover the damage the pump caused to the injectors. I figure they will probably cover the pump though. Many times the way the contract is worded they cover the initial failure but not any later damage caused by the covered part.

ajm12 · 10-26-2011, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wagonmaster2

Wonder how many extended warranties would cover the damage the pump caused to the injectors. I figure they will probably cover the pump though. Many times the way the contract is worded they cover the initial failure but not any later damage caused by the covered part.

Well to let you know mine extended warranty cover the failed part but not the damage it did. Had the fan bearing fail and it messed up the housing it sat in. Warranty covered the bearing but not the housing. Have to find out more about the HEUI and any tell tale sign of it going bad.

Dadeaux · 10-26-2011, 06:00 AM

I think this problem with the fuel system contributed to Cat's decision to withdraw from the RV market.

RVNeophytes2 · 10-26-2011, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wagonmaster2

Wonder how many extended warranties would cover the damage the pump caused to the injectors. I figure they will probably cover the pump though. Many times the way the contract is worded they cover the initial failure but not any later damage caused by the covered part.

Yeh, I can hear it now from the Good Scam ESP folks... DENIED

1ciderdog · 10-26-2011, 09:31 AM

I have to speak up for Good Sam on this one. The pump and six injectors were replaced in May or June of this year. I paid the $500 deductable and some expenses not covered such as disposal of old engine oil. New oil & filter were covered.
Safe Travels
Bob

Wingman02 · 11-24-2011, 09:23 AM

We had the fan bearing go out which took out the belt and the radiator. Assurant paid for everything including towing but the $50.00 deductable and the second tow truck that had to get the enclosed trailer we were pulling.

The next trip we lost the ECU. Assurant picked up everything again but the $50.00 deductable.

Tuesday night we were on the interstate everything was fine and then we lost power. Pulled over and the back of the RV and the front of the trailer is covered in oil. The oil was checked before we left home and we had gone 344 miles. Took 4 quartz to get it back to full. Then it would not start. We will call assurant tomorrow and let them know what paperwork will be headed their way!!!

Dixieray53 · 11-25-2011, 05:19 AM

Anytime I hear loss of power I think turbo... we have had to replace 2 in 3 months and 3000 miles. Just did a short trip 500 miles... This turbo has lasted at least that long.. Keep us updated.... D

ahicks · 11-25-2011, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dixieray53

Anytime I hear loss of power I think turbo... we have had to replace 2 in 3 months and 3000 miles. Just did a short trip 500 miles... This turbo has lasted at least that long.. Keep us updated.... D

Regarding your second turbo, you didn't have to pay for that did you? We just had one put on our 3126 (at 80,000 miles). We used a factory re manufactured part because it had the same warranty from Cat the new part carried - 1 year or 100,000 miles - and was considerably less money?