Mileage on coaches

[Jason Worman]

Hi,

This is just an open question for everybody, how many miles do you currently have on your coach? I am curious about the overall durability of these Cat engines.

Thank you

[Bryan Beamon]

Jason, we have 163k on our C-9 and we put 161k on our C-7 during the last 20 years.

[Mike Shumack]

I have 44K on my C-13, so a long way to go before she's worn out.

Here is a video from CAT mechanic on the best engine in the medium and heavy duty classes. Interesting and fun to watch. But only someone's opinion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igDWcKX-a-4

[Dave Atherton]

Jason, you have a Cat 3116 engine which is a mechanical engine , you can plan on minum of
500,000 miles depending on maintance and service of engine. Your engine requires special
Tooling to set the overhead  injector fuel setting , injector fuel rack timing and valve settings.
All Caterpillar 3100 series engines including the mechanical 3116 and 3126 to all models 3126 A
To Cat C-C 9S have what is called a cast block engine harden steel liners. Caterpillar C-10 and
above have what is called replaceable liners, which allows for higher horse power and mileage
Before rebuild over million miles. ( note: 3126 And above all are electronic engines and depending
on maintance and service are high mile and trouble free operations. One thing I would like to
stress on Caterpillar engines have a very excellent track record. Talk on various internet posting
range from Caterpillar 3116 to C-9 are throwaway engine and several non-caterpillar shops are
starting to bulletproof many engines, both statements are incorrect and cannot be backed with
factual information. Dave Atherton Retired Cat Mechanic.

[Jason Worman]

Dave,

Thank you.as always.

[Jason Worman]

I was wondering if anyone had hit 300,000 + miles and if so how was the rig holding up.

My wife teases me and said that when we go to our first rally she is going to print up a t-shirt that says, "My name is Jason and I have  question" 

Thanks

Jason

[Lee Welbanks]

I have 70K on my C13 with no problems, the C13 is twin turbo'ed and is kind of a complicated set up to work on. The all time best Cat truck engine is the 6NZ C 15 these motors are still in high demand with the owner operator boys, I know of a couple that are running around a 1000 hp and live. I put 500K on a 3406B without much trouble, can remember one water pump and it was tuned up way higher than the 425 it started at. Being a pre-ecm motor you had to really watch how you drove it.

[Fred Cook]

I have 44K on my C-13, so a long way to go before she's worn out.

Here is a video from CAT mechanic on the best engine in the medium and heavy duty classes. Interesting and fun to watch. But only someone's opinion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igDWcKX-a-4

Great video! With 67k miles on my C12.... Im hoping it last a long.... time.  We are headed out to Vicksburg Mississippi in a couple weeks.

[Dave Atherton]

Gentleman, the subject and video on Caterpillar engines I finding very entertaining but many
points that cannot be backed up with any Caterpillar technical bulletins direct off Caterpillar
SIS service information system. I also bought up the same subject on older post Caterpillar
Engine problems. These kind of videos are very misleading and being a Caterpillar Mechanic
my only answer to anyone if questions pertaining Caterpillar problems with your motorhome
that Dave responds with answers backed with Caterpillar technical information. Yes I understand
and mentioned several times we are dealing with a very good engines but many of us need to
understand, trained technician have many hours of schooling to provide you this service that
Caterpillar provides.  Dave Atherton Retired Cat Mechanic

[Bill Lampkin]

We've put 15K on our '05 Thunder with C-13 in the 3 years since we bought i; 30k when new to us. Man that Cat is strong and purrs like a kitten. This summer I think we hit every high mountain pass in the west at least once, the Cat never missed a beat (or a fuel stop!!). Jason, as for T-shirts, how about this one: "I'm retired, I know everything, and have plenty of time to talk to you about it". !

[William Jordan]

143700 on our c12 41700 since we bought it 4 years ago

[Keith Moffett Co-Admin]

118K on our C13.  Still rolling along just as though it cant wait to find the next diesel stop.

[Peter and Connie Bradish]

291,000 plus on the odometer. Plus 3,000 more miles when the odometer was off for repair.
Have had an in frame rebuild due to loose air filter hose and we dusted number four cylinder.
Engine and coach will last longer than we will.
Connie Bradish

[Dave Atherton]

Good morning, it is sure nice to hear from members that have enjoyed traveling and putting
miles on motorhomes. Both engine builders ( Caterpillar and Cummins build very good engines
that are built for the long haul with good maintenance). One thing I cannot stress enough and
Is on top of list for keep your engine healthy and correcting problems when it can be a minor low
cost repair.  ( Oil Sampling at each oil change.) The past year several very extreme high dollar
repairs have occurred and engine failure happened and would have been minor in nature if oil
samples were taken regularly. Looking back to technical section Ask Dave about 3 weeks ago a
very good example of why oil sampling is very important. Remember your diesel is built for very
long life but we as operators need to understand keep things simple and lower maintenance cost
and repairs Start when changing oil and filters take oil sample as keep record of each oil sample
report. I would assist anyone with understanding the oil sample report on your engine.
Dave Atherton Retired Cat Mechanic.

[Roy Boles]

We have about 130,000 miles on our C-12. No problems and no oil consumption.