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hlagooty · 12-27-2019, 09:30 AM

Im shopping for a dp and I found a c12 powered beaver. It is a 1998 and had 83000 miles. It has sat a couple years and i cannot get service info. So my question is how well do they survive sitting and unknown maint? The same for the 4000 series allison. Besides the usual exterior condition and running it check what were their weak points?

CountryB · 12-27-2019, 10:24 AM

Look at tire age. If the DOT date code says tires are over 7 years old, plan to replace them.

Check the engine for obvious leaks. Look at the "draft tube" (the tube coming off valve cover going to ground), is there any smoke coming out while running? See if the filters have dates or mileage written on them (indicating a service was done). Are the oil levels at the full marks? See if there are any parts on the engine that are not the "same color" as the engine (indicating it was changed at some time).

If everything else on the coach checks out to your liking, make the sale contingent on passing an oil analysis (both for engine and transmission) test. You send a sample of the oil to be tested. The analysis will tell you if the engine/trans has excessive metal/coolant/contaminants, etc. in it. have the coolant checked too. If the coolant is the old type that requires additive every so often, the coolant analysis will tell if it there is insufficient (SCA) additive (they also sell test strips). Low SCA can cause cylinder liner damage. The new coolant that doesn't require additives is the OAT coolant (a red or orange color).

You can use Blackstone labs or any of the CAT dealers for oil sample testing.
With Blackstone you will get the sample bottles and the oil extraction tool (but then you have shipping time), with the CAT sampling (assuming there is a dealer near you) it would be a faster turn around time.

Smitty77 · 12-28-2019, 11:22 AM

CountryB - Informative thread, and good advice.

I'll add the same caution's on the generator too... And without documentation of maintenance, at that age, I'd plan on new belts, hoses, thermostats for both. And unless the analysis shows otherwise, I'd also plan on Transyn update.

If the exterior and interior all check out, and you like the coach. Price it accordingly for 'catchup maintenance' needed to get back to a baseline condition where regular maintenance will take over. That can easily run into the $7.5-10K range, more if tires and batteries are needed... So get yourself a punch list of items that need addressing, and then when you are taking with the seller you can point out these costs when you present your offer price to them. (I find that sometimes people with no experience helping sell a coach, are not aware of this reality, and sometimes hold out for the 'right person with same knowledge' to come along and pay a price that may not be fair to the buyer. (NOT saying that in this case, not enough to go on, but just an observation.)

Best of luck to you,
Smitty

1doodadd · 12-28-2019, 12:37 PM

I have the C12 in my coach and it puts out 450 hp and 1650 torque. This engine is widely used in the commercial trucking industry. IMO its bullet proof. Cant beat a Caterpillar Product Period.

If your interested in it and as CountryB has stated have all Fluids analyzed. But before taking any and ALL SAMPLES, The Engine and Trans MUST BE at operating Temperature. That is a Must to get the correct test results. And then all systems Must Be Serviced, Engine, Trans, Genset, Aquahot, Cooling system, Diff., even check the brakes, could be seized

Tires are gone that's a given

MO Fred · 01-03-2020, 07:06 AM

I also have a C12 and 4000 trans. If it’s running properly, the power and overall performance is outstanding. We are very happy with ours. Hope it all works out for you.

Loren Rice · 11-14-2020, 05:51 PM

Mo,
how much weight is your rig? I'm wondering if a c12 is great in a 42000 lb rig?

MO Fred · 11-15-2020, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loren Rice

Mo,
how much weight is your rig? I'm wondering if a c12 is great in a 42000 lb rig?

My coach is around 36000 fully loaded. General rule of thumb is one HP per each 100 pounds. So with a C12, 455 HP with 1550 ft lbs torque at 1800 rpm. So... I have more than enough power to easily climb hills and accelerate while doing it. There are plenty of rigs out there that are way under powered that just trudge along. A CAT dealer once told me that the C12 was the best motor caterpillar ever made. The C12 is a great motor as long as it is maintained properly.