Is The CAT C13 a Good Engine? (CAT C13 Twin Turbo Problems)
Some models are good, some are not. In the case of engines, when they are upgraded, a lot can change. The good engine becomes bad because of all the new parts that have ruined anything that made it good. You have to be careful when buying an engine, the model year is important.
The word is that the 2004 to 2006 C13 is the best model years. 2007 to 2010 are not. But keep in mind your results will be different and you may think otherwise. The C13 ACERT 2004 to 06 is better than the original C13 2004 to 06.
To learn more about this engine just continue to read our article. It has the information you want to know about. Picking a good motor can be difficult if you do not know the history and details of that specific motor.
CAT C13 Problems 101
Is The CAT C13 a Good Engine?
As we just stated, it will depend on which model year you will buy. Overall, the C13 is a very good motor and can be very reliable. It is also a very durable motor lasting some owners a long time.
However, when Cat started adding new emissions equipment, the engine sort of lost favor and is considered junk by some owners. This may be due more to the emission control devices than the actual engine itself.
These emission control devices added to what is now known as the ‘regen’ engine has turned a very good motor into something some people say to avoid at all costs.
The serial number for the 2007 to 2010 ‘regen’ C13 starts with LEE. That is how you will tell the different models apart from each other. The 2004 to 2006 ACERT model has its serial numbers starting with KCB.
The ACVERT and most likely the original 2004+ motors do not have the dreaded EGR system attached to them. Something the 2007+ does have and the difference is enormous.
Many owners are saying how good this engine is and how little trouble they have had. However, they forgot to put the model year of their C13. So we cannot say more about this motor.
How Long Does a CAT C13 Last?
Lifespans are subjective. No matter what it is, how long anything survives depends on several factors. These factors are the same across the board.
For example, if you do not take care of yourself, chances are you won’t live that long, always exceptions to the rule. The same goes for anything including the C13.
If you do not take care of it, then it may not last past 500,000 miles, if that. But if you do take care of it, according to CAT, your C13 should not need an overhaul before 1,000,000. Some years ago, an owner reported being at 972,000 miles and he was still getting 6 mpg and runs well.
A word of caution. Do not expect to see the same results. You may not be driving over the same terrain, you may drive rougher roads, carry more weight, and other factors. Those driving conditions influence how long your engine will last.
There are other factors involved which we have talked about endlessly on this website. All the factors for one vehicle and motor, apply to every other vehicle and motor. Just take care of it and it should last you longer than you expected.
Common C13 CAT Engine Problems
One of the current common problems is the 6 class-action lawsuits brought against Caterpillar. The engine that is the center of the disputes is the 2007 to 2010 ‘regen’ motors.
One lawsuit named the Advanced Combustion Emissions Reduction Technology, also known as ACERT. But our research has shown that emission control device was placed in the 2004 to 2006 models.
Part of the problem was Caterpillar’s restriction that their motors can only be repaired by Caterpillar-approved repair shops. It seems no towing protection was provided and owners are including the high cost of towing in the lawsuit.
The good news is that the last lawsuit was filed 8 years ago in 2014. Other problems include some blowby in the engine. This could be a result of a leak. Or there may be problems with the head bolts stretching.
It is hard to say how many are common problems as when one owner gives the problem all the others responding say they have never encountered that issue.
If you have a regen issue, replacing the ARD heads with a more modern version should solve that issue for you. This issue rose at about 250,000 miles and just before the DPF system parts need replacing.
CAT C13 Twin Turbo Problems
When your twin turbos go, you should see a big loss of power. You can check the air charge cooler and replace all four boots, but that may not solve the problem. Before you start messing around with the turbos, use a turbo boost gauge to get an accurate read on the parts.
Other possibilities would be a crack crankshaft or cracked camshaft. Check to see if you are getting crankcase oil leaking out of the system. If so, that may be the problem but it is not for sure.
Another source would be a blown head gasket or the CAC is leaking. The problem with identifying any boost is that it is practically impossible to get a reading when you are standing still.
Spray some soapy water around all the clamps on the turbo to see if those clamps are the leak. You may have to go to a very good C13 mechanic. They will be the ones with the best and special tools to identify and solve the problem.
One final location to try, the O-ring may be bad. Those are the main issues that we found and their fix is not going to be so easy if you do not have the right tools on hand.
CAT Engine Cranks But Won't Start
If the engine won't start and the CAT ET will not communicate with the ECM, then the problem is with the electrical power supply to the ECM. That is just one source. here are several more to think about:
1. Check your fuel supply but do not rely on the fuel gauge.
2. Next, check the engine shutdown switches. If they are on, your engine should not start
3. Starting aids may not be working if the ambient temperature is too cold. Check to see if they are in good shape.
4. Obstructions in the air intake and exhaust systems. If there are clean them out and try again.
5. Make sure the theft deterrent system is not engaged. If it is, turn it off.
6. Check the appropriate sensors to make sure they are clean and have not failed.
7. Test the engine speed & timing. If it is not up to par, then those parts can shut your engine down and keep it from starting.
8. There may be a low fuel pressure problem in your fuel line, etc.
9. There may also be a problem with high pressure in the fuel line. It just may not be working properly.
We itemized these possibilities as the solutions are varied with some having more than one option to try. You can get all the details by clicking this link.
CAT C13 Starts Then Dies
One interesting situation is that the engine will run while under 25 mph and shuts down at 25+ mph. Once the owner went under 25 the motor turned itself back on. But only if it is in gear.
If it is in neutral, then it won’t start. No check engine light turns on and no codes are sent. If you run into that problem, the source may be that the engine has a fuel problem when under load.
That means going through the fuel line basics. Check for fuel pressure issues, obstructions in the line, or similar fuel issues. There may even be a cracked pickup tube.
Or it could be the ECM keyed and constant power and the ECM ground. Another possibility would be a broken wire, loose connection, or something similar.
Even if you do not experience that specific situation but still have your RV turning off after it has started, those possibilities should be checked anyways. Finally, the comp board may have gone bad and it would need replacing.
The situation calls for a thorough investigation until you find the true source. This investigation should be conducted by an experienced C13 mechanic. It just makes sense to do it that way as you may not have the experience to handle the work or be able to spot the problem.
CAT C13 Actuator Problems
The first step would be to check the engine oil level. You will have to wait about 20 minutes after shutting down the motor. This gives the oil some time to drain back into the oil pan.
Then check for any codes as those should lead you to the problem quickly. One problem that arises would be a failed spool. While you may be a good mechanic, sometimes the diagnosis and fix should be left to the professionals.
In going through this web page, the possibilities of trouble sources are complicated. Even the leak test review has several paragraphs of instruction that we cannot highlight or duplicate here.
Another area you can try to see if it is the problem is the intake valve actuation pressure sensor. Sensors can be fragile and can go bad at a moment’s notice. While we would like to place the steps to follow here, there are 11 of them.
It is best to go to that web page and read those steps yourself. That way you get the correct information without missing anything. There are also 11 possibilities, with the 11th telling you to replace the intake valve actuator unit.
When you are in doubt about the information presented to you, always go to the company that made the engine to get the best information possible.
CAT C13 Ran Out Of Fuel
In this situation, you would have to re-prime your fuel line before you get to start the engine. This is not a hard problem to solve if your vehicle and motor have a priming pump.
All you have to do is push the priming pump button about 40 times and then have someone help you start the motor. Keep pumping the button while your friend keeps cranking the motor.
It will fire in due time so be patient. But to avoid this problem you need to do the obvious-- do not run out of fuel if you can avoid it!! While the manual may say it is not a hard task to re-prime the fuel line, if air gets inside, you are looking at having a long battle ahead of you.
One owner spent 2 days trying to get his engine re-primed and started. That is because he forgot to add fuel to the fuel filter first, or he ignored the instruction. You need to add fuel to the fuel filter to make sure air does not get into the fuel line and subsequently into the injector lines.
You can loosen the lines at the injectors and let the fuel push the air out but it is a difficult task if those lines are hard to reach. No matter what diesel motor you have. It is a standard rule to pre-fill the fuel filter on them all when changing the filter.
CAT C13 Injector Problems
One cause of this problem is bad fuel. This is the go-to possibility if your plungers inside the injectors are sticking. The reason the fuel goes bad is that some contaminant has been added to your fuel tank.
If that is your actual source, then you need to empty those tanks and refill them with known good fuel. Another source of this problem would be improper injector adjustment.
Injectors do not usually adjust themselves so someone may have set them up wrong at a service time. This is hard to catch as most owners are not looking over the mechanic’s shoulder when they are working on an engine.
Then if the fuel is good, the injectors are adjusted correctly, and the other source would be something in your oil. The best you can do is clean the injectors, keep the fuel clean, and watch whoever works on your engine. Someone may be doing this contamination on purpose.
CAT C13 Regeneration Problems
The first place to look for the source of this problem is the codes. You will see this problem when you try and fail to do a manual regen. Then the system has to get to level 4 before the ECM gets a code inside that only the CAT ET can help clear.
This is called the lock out code because it locks the system out for regeneration. When you get locked out, or the engine does, it could be because a sensor failed. and without that sensor, there is no hope for a regen taking place.
You cannot clear this code with your own scanner. You need the CAT ET to do the clearing. That is up to you to figure out how to get to a CAT ET or have one brought to your location.
How Much Does it Cost To Rebuild a CAT C13?
The prices are going to vary. One company’s website did not place its prices on its web pages. They asked you to sign in to get their costs. Another company simply listed the prices part by part or group of parts by group of parts.
For example, the kit to rebuild your C13 was listed at $3250. The prices at that company change depending on the type of CAT motor you own. Another company listed their C13 inframe rebuild kit at $3450.
The CAT website said they would rebuild your engine now and you can pay later. The catch was you had to own a heavy-duty piece of equipment and the minimum order was $100,000.
The best thing to do is contact approved Cat repair shops near you and talk to them about your rebuild project. They will be able to give you an exact price and time frame when the job will be done.
Some Final Words
Despite all the issues that can arise, the CAT C13 is still a good engine. Some people prefer the C12 to the C13 but from what we have discovered while researching this article, you are not getting a terrible motor.
Just watch the model year and what emission control devices have been added. Those emission control parts can break down faster than the engine and cost a lot more to repair or replace.
