Community Forums

DMOzburn · 02-10-2014, 06:02 PM

Looking at a 2004 Newmar Essex with a 505 hp Cat engine with 59000 miles. Newmar seens to be a high quality rig. I was wondering abou the Caterpillar engine. I like the layout. It has everything that I like. Anyone have experience with the Cat. Pros and cons. Advice is appreciated since this will be my first diesel pusher.

smlranger · 02-10-2014, 06:20 PM

Nothing wrong with a CAT. Even though they have left the on-the-road engine market in recent years, they make good stuff. I had a CAT in my previous coach and it ran like a top.

More important is to make sure it has been properly maintained, but that is true with the transmission and all of the coach systems. You can insist that the seller let you pull an engine oil and transmission oil sample and send it for analysis. That will tell you a lot about the overall health of the drive gear. If there is a CAT dealer/service center in your area, they may have their own oil lab. If not, they can certainly provide the sample bottles and tell you where they send their samples.

The Essex is a great coach. We looked hard at a 2005 when we were last shopping for a coach.

You can also post your question in the Newmar owners area. Plenty of Essex owners there.

"007" · 02-10-2014, 06:29 PM

Welcome to irv2.
I can help with other Items you will need will leave the DP info to the experts.
Here is a Brochure and a Owner Guide for you.
Down in my signature below are three links that will relate to your Newmar Essex.
Here is the Cat forum.
The only problem is the brochure says you have a Spartan K2 chassis and a Cummins engine.
How Newmars are built.
Good luck in your quest and maybe a welcome to the Newmar family/

spritz · 02-10-2014, 06:55 PM

I had a 400 Cat in my Peterbuilt when I was driving OTR. Lots of power, had very little go wrong with it. Yes keep the maintenance up but I am sure you already do. Good Luck and show us some Pictures when you bring her home.
tb

**JohnRR** · 02-10-2014, 08:10 PM

Good luck with your search.

dons2346 · 02-10-2014, 08:44 PM

Pros and cons of this motor, pros and cons of that motor. It really doesn't make any difference as all of the new, modern motors will outlast all of us.

The oil analysis thing is over rated. You will not have a baseline to compare anything to plus diesel oil will look terrible shortly after running it a few miles.

So, I change the oil today and run the coach for a few miles, You come along and do the famed oil analysis in a week and it will come back pretty clean. No miles, no wear and you think you have an excellent motor.

HoleInOne · 02-11-2014, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dons2346

Pros and cons of this motor, pros and cons of that motor. It really doesn't make any difference as all of the new, modern motors will outlast all of us.

The oil analysis thing is over rated. You will not have a baseline to compare anything to plus diesel oil will look terrible shortly after running it a few miles.

So, I change the oil today and run the coach for a few miles, You come along and do the famed oil analysis in a week and it will come back pretty clean. No miles, no wear and you think you have an excellent motor.

What he said. If the oil has been recently changed what will you find other that clean oil