C 13 valve adjustment

[Bill Lampkin]

Last summer we bought a new-to-us 2005 Patriot Thunder w/c-13 engine; 35k miles when we bought 'er. Not sure if it has had its initial valve adjustment;Local Cat dealer says valve adj is 6 hrs @ $160+/hr. Ouch! Independent shop says 3 hrs, depending on access.  Dave Atherton-can you see if our engine (serial #KCB21431) has had its initial valve adjustment? It does have the 2 speed Jacobs brake.
Another minor issue-front brakes (disc) squeak  a bit as I pull to a stop. Any ideas?
Thanks for the help!

[Dave Atherton]

Hi Bill, question about valve adjustment on Cat C-13. Between 15,000 and 60,000 miles
Between the first and fourth oil change. Compression Brake - Inspect/adjust, Electronic
Unit Injector - Inspect/ adjust,  Engine Valve Lash - Inspect/adjust. note: engine valve
lash what this means as per Cat operations you check the valve lash and if feeler gauge
meets spec for engine ( intake .015 +, minus .003 ) and ( exhaust valve .025 +, minus .003 )
What this tell you you have a .006 window and if feeler gauge slides within the spec above
no adjustment is nessary. There has been questions about valve adjustment but follow
and stay with Cats guide lines. check valve lash Dave Atherton Retired Cat Mechanic
                                                         

[Gerald Farris]

Bill,
Any Cat dealer can tell you if your overhead (valves) was adjusted at a Cat dealer. Caterpillar maintains a data base with that information that any dealer can access. However, I would find another dealer that was not trying to retire from one service to have the work done. Charging $960 to adjust a C 13 overhead should be illegal.

Gerald   

[Dave Atherton]

Bill, I put your S/N within the Cat system, engine S/N cannot find check your valve lash,
It could be possible that a non-cat service shop preformed checking valve lash. I have
My own thoughts about setting valves regular on a electronic engine.  Cat tech information
clearly states check valve lash following spec provided in tech manual. Cummins also
makes same statement check valve lash at 150,000 miles and again at 300,000 miles.
Both Cat and Cummins use the +, minus of .003 on both there intake and exhaust valves.
Depending how easy you can get at removing valve cover and get at the compression
brake assembly, than checking valve lash using the Cat pin lock on engine as per operation
( checking valve lash / adjust valves is spec so out of range.) Bill time can get away real
fast before a person can see the valves. Myself I would not race the clock but I have
checked many valves on electronic engines and change out of injectors and all I can say
what is involved you will be looking at 5-6 hours. range for money, but again working
inside of motorhome with oil soak parts, white carpet, small opening inside closet, let's stop
at the a deep breath ( what did I get into ) Dave Atherton Retired Cat Mechanic

[Gerald Farris]

Bill,
I had the Cat dealer in Texas adjust the overhead on my C 12 several years ago, and I did the R&R (remove and replace) for all of the access panels through the bedroom floor. I spent the night on the dealer's lot so that the engine would be cold, and it could be the mechanic's first job before he got too dirty from other jobs. The dealer charged me 2 1/2 hours labor for the service (actual working time).

Gerald

[Dave Atherton]

Bill, I'm not going to get involved in working time frame on setting overhead on a Cat engine.
Find each mechanic that done this has a different view on subject. Myself as stated 5-6 hours
and I still preform engine work. Getting back to your engine S/N KCB 21143 you had one two
many number present only can enter 5 numbers and left off last number 1 and everything
opened up. Engine Spec. Cat C-13 S/N KCB 21143 build date: 2004 -09 -20, Test date: 2004 -09-27,
425 HP. , A/R Number 244-4548, full Load 1800 rpm, high idle 2120 rpm, low idle 600 rpm,
Adjusted Boost 42.3 psi, adjusted boost at TC rpm 40.6,  Inlet fuel pressure 86 DEG F, Fuel
Pressure 96 psi, Corrected Fuel Rate at TC rpm 18.5 Gal/HR, Torque at TC rpm 1650 LB/FT @
1200 rpm,  Temp water pump inlet 185 DEG F, Inlet Manifold Temp 109 DEG F, Oil Pressure
High Idle 58.2 psi, Low Idle 22.3 psi, Air Intake 122 DEG F, valve lash Check Intake Valves
.015 +, minus .003, Exhaust Valves, 025 +, minus .003 note: change 01/07/2005 Exhaust
Valves setting .030 +, minus .003 all valve lash measurement between valve bridge and rocker arm
Adjustment is not nessary if vlave lash is in acceptable as per spec. Correct order setting
valve start at TC compression stroke and pin lock flywheel Than number 6 valve compression
stroke pin lock. Bill this should give you information about your engine and also sent private
Emai,. Dave Atherton Retired Cat Mechanic