Why I Love My Cat C15 MBN Diesel Engine (C15 MBN Review)

[@SmartTrucking]

Hello Driver. Thank you so much for stopping by to watch today's video. What are your experiences with Cat engines? Are you a fan? Or not at all. Love to hear from you.

[@zafirmahmudhasan8073]

Can I buy a new Cat 3408 for my Kenworth W900? Just wanna know😊

[@mofozi571]

Another great video but what do you do to improve fuel mileage?

[@thebandit979]

Cats are by far in my opinion the best Diesel engines ever built

[@fazoolie321]

I wonder, if he added up all his engines and logbooks, how many millions of miles this man has drove to deliver us all our neccessities we take for granted...a big thanks and a huge amount of respect for this man! I hope someday I catch him on the backhaul, as I am also in Northern Ontario! Lol

[@richardmcavoy6413]

I loved my 425 Cat w/13 speed trans. Out west, guys would fly past me on the flats, a few miles later they were chugging up a grade while I passed them with ease.

[@old-trucks-nd-Coffee]

Like Patrick Syawze said in black dog. Ain't nothing like a Caterpillar is there!

[@SoCal780]

Coming from a Cummins guy I can certainly appreciate Cat engines. They’re reliable, powerful, and they sound GREAT! I once drove an older Freightliner cab over that had a Cat engine in it. I noticed right away that the acceleration was WAY smoother than the other trucks in the fleet. Funny thing though, it broke down in San Diego and we had to have a wrecker come and tow it and the trailer all the way back up to Orange County. 🤣 First and only time that I have ever ridden in a wrecker.

[@SmartTrucking]

And hopefully the last time you ride in a wrecker! LOL

[@containerguru4477]

C15 is an awesome engine I had a acert it went a 1.5 million with only an oil pressure sensor failure a starter and routine maintenance. It ran the day I turned it in

[@charlesb4267]

I am curious as to what series your C15 was and its hp. The reason I ask that is also to ask if you recall what the maximum boost pressure was to compare with the MXS I had acquired a few years ago.

[@TheColbles2009]

It don’t matter what truck I’m driving, I can always tell if it has a cat in it or not. Not by the sound or the look, but just by that raw low end pulling power they always delivered.

[@adriandecardenas8939]

I 100% agree with everything you said having had the same engine just 525hp except the part where you said they’re cheaper to rebuild. In my experience they’re the most expensive to rebuild but you get a lot more miles out of them

[@jessesager9460]

I feel like anything pre ACERT is a real safe bet for reliability and performance, and can’t really go wrong.

[@sweengeppetto1915]

Acerts are a safe bet too, not sure why everyone is so afraid of them, mine has 1.3 million miles on it untouched, I have buddies with Cummins engines who have already rebuilt theirs twice in less miles so these acerts can't be that bad.

[@RhBKeith]

I’ve got nothing but good things to say about the larger Cat engines. We used them in all our trucks and heavy machinery...3306’s, 3406’s, even 3412’s and in all my years of working with them (>40) I’ve never seen one fail or leave me stranded-ever. The little 3208’s were more of a disposable motor so I’m not including them, or the electronic engines because other than the early 3176’s I have no experience with them. Thanks for another great video!

[@raymondbradley6788]

Dave nothing pools like a CAT👍👍👍

[@theminotaurtrucker2419]

I have the exact engine in my 2003 w900. I love it and it’s rotella every 10,000 and max 15000 oil changes. I have about 60g miles on it’s completed overhaul. I put a pdi exhaust manifold and went ahead and did the 550 horse flash. I love it, I have 0 issues it just cranks and goes. Love your videos

[@salahdehina9733]

I love the videos about your own truck!

[@NorthWestTruckers]

I’ve got this exact motor and swapped to 6NZ parts when I did my overhaul, you ain’t lying this thing pulls strong even with 105k lbs. Great video.

[@NLJosh83]

I can't speak directly to the big diesel engines, but the theme of bigger engines (gas or diesel) from 20-30 yeas ago being the pinnacle of engine performance and reliability is certainly one I can relate to and agree with. There's a lot to be said for conventional wisdom as well, but sometimes thinking outside the box and doing things a little differently is OK as well. I do RV transport out of Newfoundland with a pickup. 1st oddball factoid about my foray into the long haul trucking business. For that job, I use a 1995 Ford F-250. 2nd weird thing about how I roll. I hear "you can't beat the seven-threes in them old trucks". I smile and nod, and when they've exhausted their enthusiasm for the be-all and end-all first generation Powerstroke engine, I drop the bomb on them that my truck is a 460 gas truck. I swear to God they want to perform an exorcism on my evil soul. "You can't tow campers with a gas engine!" they exclaim. "There's not enough power to haul campers from a gas! You must have a diesel to play this game!" I politely remind them that my 460 and the rest of my truck drivetrain is literally the same as a Class C motorhome. "I laugh at you in one million miles!" they state, asserting the diesel engine's dominance for being a workhorse with unmatched endurance. OK, but I can get 250,000 miles from my 460 between overhauls, which I can do for a fraction of the cost of injector servicing on a modern diesel engine. Not to mention no DEF systems, turbos, or many other external systems to fail. And it pulls just fine and does everything I ask it to. A few more MPGs would be nice, but with gas at about 70% of the price of diesel right now, I can eat that cost relatively easily. I love my big old pig.

[@scottclough9197]

I've owned 4 cats 2 e models and 2 6NZ no complaints

[@theoregontruckerT880]

Always liked the 12.7 series 60 Detroit my grandpa and dad both had them in their trucks 96 and 2000 freightliner FLDs and my first truck was a 07 freightliner Columbia with a 99 series 60. Great engine pulled the west coast mountains great maybe not as fast as the cats but just as reliable and better fuel mileage and cheaper to work on. Once me and my dad changed the turbo on the side of the road just a few nuts and some hoses for the oil. Anything pre emissions is gonna be a great engine

[@joshuajesch7154]

I have an MBN in a 2003 model t600 with a 13 speed (dark metallic blue). I purchased it used but it lasted to 1.45 million miles before it finally needed to be overhauled. (Still in the process) but I love it as well. I love long hoods or set back axle trucks as long as its got a 3406 OR C-15 CAT.

[@ScootertheMover]

I’ve owned CAT, Cummins and now a Detroit. Never had an issue with any of them. My little 14L Detroit ( all stock) pulls with the best of them, is extremely reliable and gets better mpg than the other 2. I’m a true believer in the 14L 60 series Detroits. Like I said I’m stock with an egr valve. Like you said it’s all in how you maintain them

[@curbstomp3126]

3406 mechanical is my favorite.

[@Calorwa1]

The C15 MBN I owned was my FAVORITE engine! The only reason I sold it was due to CA forcing many of us to get rid of perfectly good trucks.

[@prime3279]

CAT is the only motor ever built as far as I’m concerned! Very informative video. I own a 2006 W900 with the MXS and it runs AWESOME! I’ve also had a W900 with 6NZ. Both great performing engines.

[@johnwood7650]

Honestly, I think the mbn is a good bargain because lots of guys think they are junk.

[@maxpuppy96]

They are good engines, everybody is after a C18, I am with you 475 will do the job any day of the year and you probably get better fuel mileage than a 6 NZ. I remember when we had 350 Cummins ah man we had big power and we were king of the road move over.

[@armormathews9140]

Dear Brother, I've been watching your videos for a few years. I've enjoyed them more than any other trucking video. I feel close to you like we're related. I wish that I could have been trained by you 25 years ago. I would have done well and had a much better mindset. You would have instilled in me the best possible values and common sense.

[@railfaninpf]

I have a 2004 KW T800H. It also has a MBN. I bought it with 350,000 miles on it and it already had the 2nd turbo on it and the blades on that one were damaged. I changed it out and Cat told me that there was a fuel setting change that should be done to save on the turbo as the exhaust on the MBN is very hot. They said it would knock down the top end power but it wouldn't be anything drastic. I agreed and it has been running just fine so far. My truck is a quad axle dump truck running mostly on flat ground in Wisconsin so don't really need huge amount of power. It now has 850,000 miles on it. I change the oil every 8000 miles and send in samples every other oil change. And I also have the overhead done every year no matter what the mileage is.

[@wabashofutah]

My company recently offered me a newer truck with an X15 Cummins. I asked instead if one of my coworkers wanted it so I could have their truck. I'm now eagerly awaiting on a W900 with a 3406E@550 to be ready for me, and will run it well before this ridiculous speed limiter mandate.

[@billbright1755]

One of our forklifts has a cat 3208 non turbo diesel. I’m always impressed by its power and easy start.

[@aaronmcconnell9369]

CAT/CAT/CAT!!! My 1LW 3406e has 2,482,000m and counting at 600hp. 18spd and 3.42’s make for an awesome spec

[@Tiamat_ER]

I'd love to drive one of these rigs, they sound so damn good when they inevitably pull past me up the hills and mountains with their power I don't have lol

[@MoosemanR]

Great engine and a great man.

[@abrahamisaiah3]

Beautifull truck and awesome engine lucky guy 👍👌

[@christine3945]

It was nice to see a good video about the MBN motor. Everyone always so negative about them. We have got 1.3 miles on ours this is the first time we have had to get into the block for a cracked liner. But the inside of our motor is so clean and pretty it looks nothing like the motors you see videos of online. Some other C15 look horrible when pulling the head. Ours was so clean looking. The MBN motor has been a great motor a very strong motor.

[@claudiopeixoto6]

The market of used trucks already demonstrates that trucks with older and more reliable engines are more valued than newer trucks with these electronic engines with lots of electronic devices.

[@roadrunner4906]

He’s exactly right. I had a KW W900 with a CAT 2WS. I had a good CAT shop near home and they always kept it in tip top shape for me.

[@michaellangdonful]

Can’t go wrong with a Cat engine! I love my 500 horsepower 3406B in my 1990 Kenworth dump truck! It accelerates really well with ease. Never have to step on the throttle to get it going even with a 15 ton load on it. It’s reliable and simple to work on without any sensors or computer chips to deal with. I would never trade that Cat for anything else. It can climb hills with more ease than my 400 Cummins engine in my ‘77 Kenworth dump truck can.

[@farmrrick]

The Cat shops were real good too no jacking around just get it in get it fixed .

[@kenz6591]

2003 6nz tuned to 650hp luvn it

[@cnelson3225]

This local company I drive for only buys cat engines. As a young driver I'm probably the last generation that's going to get to experience them, nothing less forever but boy am I glad I got to run it.

[@tylerhall6455]

Love it. Gosh I would love to own your truck! Keep making these vids Smart Trucker!!!

[@FinesseMuse]

My husband and I just bought this same truck. Same year, engine, etc a few months ago to do team driving. I love your input on this engine. Thanks for sharing. We've had some electrical issues though, could you do a video about any electrical issues you've had and how you fixed it?

[@alibinahmed6651]

Loving your talks!

[@terracestevenkennedy9198]

You got the power to go up the mountains

[@chief1193]

I love that ACERT engine, talking about pulling power

[@peteengard9966]

By far the 3406B water jacket aftercooled was the best Cat engine. The BXS was the best in head camshaft engine. Your MBN is the prelude to the IVA system that sucks. At least the ACERT is still better than the cow piss burners. This is from a retired big truck mechanic.

[@robertmullins3176]

Yes, they are awesome best engines ever built

[@nevertell-c1i]

I have one in my Country Coach 42' Magna. I got a big turbo, Donaldson muffler and 650hp tune with turbo from Kurt. Its a monster now and I'm getting 7.25mpg at 43k lbs.

[@pedromartinez5245]

I have been trucking for around 30 years and I have owned different truck engines and based on facts for me the best and most reliable engine it’s been the big cam 3 Cummins 400 , the 3406B model and the 3406E model single turbo 6NZ series and now days there are newer engines that are better on fuel mileage but are not reliable at all then on top of that E logs def $200K to buy new and a few years later already at the junkyard and no resale value I rather drive an older truck with a reliable engine and no E log no def no breakdowns no overhaul for years And if you love trucking and if you are a hard working owner operator more likely you will appreciate the quality and reliability and durability of the caterpillar engines in my opinion the best engine out there. I own an 85 international Cabover with a big cam 400 , an 84 long hood 359 peterbilt with B model cat and a 01 Pete 379 with a caterpillar engine 6NZ series and I know they are not new but I know these trucks are better quality build and they look much better than the new plastic trucks so long story short caterpillar engines are the very best out there all the others are ok but not great. And I would like to thank Dave for sharing with us his knowledge and experience in the trucking industry. Keep on trucking good Buddy!

[@DaveG7920]

Good old engines but a thing of the past now, like it or not time has moved on. There's plenty of new stuff doing high mileage in tough applications, getting good fuel economy and meeting emissions targets, without trouble. Personally, I much prefer new stuff. I'm glad your truck has done well for you.

[@ED-ti5tc]

I always operated Cummins and Detroit. What I grew up on. Very good service out of both. But I hear a lot of cat guys say cat has 3 best engines. 3406b, 3406e and the big c15. I really enjoy hearing driver's talking junk to each other about their engines. Lol

[@JDJ1898JADE]

I bought a truck with a 3406E @ 425 with less than 300k on the clock. With less than 400k it sucked a valve and cost me $7k. My next engine was a 12.7 Detroit @500hp never had any trouble with it. My first truck was a Freightliner COE with a Big Cam IV @ 315hp and it never gave me any major problems.

[@zaidchalabi1599]

i got a 3406b model i love it

[@francomtz7115]

Cat's are great my 1st choice 3406B

[@plumbingstuffinoregon2471]

I'm seriously thinking about buying my first truck and getting into the owner operator game. I know these aren't the most fuel efficient, but I'd love to find one for the reliability!

[@clay-r15]

Hell yeah bro, if she won't give it to you just take it!

[@edwardgaspar5428]

I had a deleted sdp acert which were technically the worst and that thing ran super hard. It made it 960k before the rebuild but not sure if it was deleted pre rebuild. After tho it was super reliable

[@bernadetteapps9303]

Yes I love my C15 Cat 6NZ.

[@alfredozapata7663]

My father in law has the acert c15 and it pulls. I’m thinking about switching my 3406e

[@1pieman]

Love them cats 👍👍

[@kcgibbs]

I get 9.5 mpg on my Cummins X15, 450 hp, 1750 torque.

[@ahmedhussein_]

3406 B is fire

[@djbofjandb]

Think you'll ever put that beauty back on the road again? It looks to pretty to be sitting all the time.

[@bradenconway9066]

I have an 07 cat acert c15, i know the problems they have had but mine is at 1.125mil km on it at 475 and have had no issues besides a couple jake problems but easy fix. I do like the n14 cummins and a 12.7 detroit as well

[@karloz83]

Thank you for your help. What’s the 9nz then woild that be ok for a owner operator?

[@jassiis4327]

I have same bridge motor in my Pete flash to 7cz 600 on flywheel 78mm Borge Warner turbo and it pulls grade like nothing there

[@wesleyhouston7937]

I drove OTR 12 yrs, started noticing most of trucks on side of road with hoods up had yellow (Cat?) engines, but doesn't necessarily mean the problem was the engine, was just an observation

[@onefast2gdsm]

I’m currently doing an out of frame on my mbn. Putting 6nz internals in, 800 cam, 80mm turbo and 58 injectors. It is by no means cheap lol.

[@JumangeeInc]

Today, drive one of these c15s it's like a work for Uber on Cadillac Eldorado. Thanks diesel prices....

[@thomasbiancuzzo9889]

X15 all the way ,I love old school,aft 44 years I’ve moved forward Allison,T880 ,5.7 /to 7.9 wtf Times have changed so did I

[@TaylorHaubrich]

I build these for a living at the cat reman plant in north Ms.

[@alanjcox]

Love this message

[@Claytyrus]

Figured you would talk about the high egt’s and poor mileage out of that MBN. I have one in my peterbilt And after changing out the cat turbo for a PDI the egts are still around 900 going down I10 in south la with 3.55s on flat ground.

[@aaronsanborn4291]

You can't beat a Cat engine hands down

[@johncholmes643]

Higher compression ratio, camshaft, injectors, electronically controlled wastegate on turbo. Highest setting on MBN was 525 1850. If you ever overhaul it De-Bridge it. Also Caterpillar had to pay an emissions credit for every MBN sold

[@JstNetta]

Hi, I just subscribed to your channel yesterday and you are very knowledgeable about trucking. My question is I'm 46 and have been working for public transportation light rail. I have my class A and want to do something different. I'm interested in trucking but I want to start at a good company with some home time and also wondering if it is worth even considering trucking.

[@nicolelitwicki6600]

My grandpa worked for Detroit diesel I’m sorry 😬 but I do love both 😝 please don’t roll over in your grave grandpa ❤

[@robertsupers1150]

I have an ACERT and one of the exhaust manifold sleeves let go and went through the turbos. One turbo was $5000. The other was $8000. With the labor, it was just south of $20,000 to fix

[@everetteboulware2854]

I miss my Caterpillar C-15. I am thinking about taking my 2014 t660 Cummins ISX engine out and putting in a Caterpillar C15 or 6nz or mbn.

[@Sinister_Reaper]

Hey Dave, I noticed on your other videos you like to run the rpms between 900 and 1400, I was just curious what rpm range you run when pulling hills and what rpm you'd upshift and downshift at? Im running a 2005 379 that's been swapped out for a 6nz and a 13 speed

Hey I got big question I have a 1999 c15 6nz I already did alot work but when the truck is loaded have trouble around 65mph I replace fuel filters left and right

[@captainrandom6858]

Id love to see inside the hood if your talking about the motor, great video tho

[@TheCobrasniper]

What’s the most weight you’ve pulled with that particular truck Dave?

[@Brararaf101]

this guy is selling one of those 1 million miles 35k says its running ready for work . Inside looked nice amazing seats outside looked nice drive tires fresh . I'm a company guy made me wanna go owner op. I drive pete 579 in tri state nyc nj philly all day how different turning radius compare to 579 pete?. I really want this truck it was bright yellow real hot 13 speed perfecct

[@dwjunior]

I ❤️ CAT !!

[@nitrozack3062]

🐱 = THE BEST

[@3HonestGoat3]

Detroittttt!!!!! 12.7

[@TNTN1977]

Had one in my 386

[@bobbyknight3589]

What about dd 2 strokes

[@steveniksid5874]

What's the deal with the forecasted Diesel Crisis?

[@jjlawnservice5229]

I haull a michigan gravle train my kw has a 475 cat in it takes her a but to get up to speed but she gets the job done

[@onebadapple83]

The only issue I’ve ever heard about the MBN vs the 6NZ is that the 475 hp is the most you want to tune the MBN to.

[@joefell7845]

99 3406E 550 , best motor cat ever made.

[@earlycuyler8719]

The first thing we did was re-rate them to a 550

[@toddeasterling3941]

I got one in a 2004 international

[@mikeb2368]

Yup

[@henryharder9718]

I'd prefer a cummins n14 or 400 big cam, cat has good power but i can't stand the rev hang, 3176 15 speed with a load of potatoes on a soft field it was almost impossible to shift, i also drove a c13 acert 18 speed i always had the Jake brake on to shift even on the road otherwise great engines

[@JP-iu4vz]

Any input on the 425 b model?

[@brianabbey3969]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@NeoTesla]

Always go for a CAT engine even on a newer Truck that’s a glider