Cat c7 question

[n4hwl]

I have a cat c7 7.2 liter engine in a 2004 Phaeton. I know that this was the first year that they changed over to the c7 7.2 liter from the previous years 7.2 liter cat engines. My question is how long did cat use the c7 engine like mine. I know that some of the later cat engines in motorhomes advertised 350 hp rather than the 330 mine claims. I am fairly happy with my engine . I was just wondering if cat used this same c7 engine like mine until they pulled out of the over the road engines.

Also what were the big changes in this c7 engine when compared to their previous 7.2 liter engines before 2004.

Ken

[n4hwl]

I know there are a lot of motorhomes out there with the cat 7.2 liter. I have had a few problems with mine. I have lost 2 injectors and had a wiring harness for the injectors inside the valve cover dropped down and shorted out on the rocker arms. That was expensive. I also recently had an oil leak around the plate that holds the oil filter where it attaches to the block. This has happened over about a 4 year period and about 30k miles. What kind of luck are others having with their cat c7 engines?

Ken

[FIRE_UP]

Gang,
This is just a little article that I had tucked away for reference. Some of it is a repeat of what's already been stated. But, there's some alternate info in it too. The OP can take a look at it and see if any of it enlightens him on the attributes, uses and qualities of the C-7.
Scott
Understanding the CAT C-7

[Passin_Thru]

Actually you could buy a C7 in 2003 so it was in production from 2003 to 09.

[wolfe10]

Actually there are a number of 350 HP C7's out there in RV's.

But, when you mention 330 HP, you may have a very late model 3126E.

Suggest you call the Caterpillar RV Hotline in the morning with your engine serial number and ask them exactly what you have and any service history they have on it (if you are not the original owner). 877 777-3126.

Let us know if you need info on where to find the engine serial number.

[Passin_Thru]

The C7 was only built in a 330 or 360HP version for RVs. After 07 they were all 360s due to the added equipment for emissions and ran hot so CAT, not wanting to spend millions trying to cool ddown engines quit the Over-the Road business. CATs in line 6s were the best engines ever built as they were bulldozer engines and the 3406 was built ot run 1 million miles b/n Overhaul.
The Cat C7 replaced the model 3126E in the Catepillar on-road engine lineup to comply with the stricter diesel emission requirements which went into effect on January 1, 2004. Some truck manufacturers switched to the C7 as early as the 2003 model year. The engine was upgraded to meet the stricter emission requirements of January 1, 2007. Caterpillar stopped selling the C7 and the company's other on-highway truck engines at the end of 2009. The company elected not to try to meet the January 1, 2010 emission requirements.
At one time they actually had horsepower ratings: 210, 230, 250, 275, 300, 330, 350 and 360 hp.
The Cat C7 is an inline 6-cylinder diesel fueled engine. The displacement of the C7 is 7.2 liters, or 441 cubic inches. Engine features include turbo-charged air intake, common rail fuel injection system, full electronic control system and Caterpillar's ACERT fuel/air management system. After 2007, Advanced emission solutions include a closed crankcase breather and a diesel particulate filter using Cat's proprietary regeneration system. The B50 life rating -- period to which 50 percent of engines had a major failure -- is 450,000 to 500,000 miles.

[Sully2]

at one time there were C7 engines rated at 300; 330 and 350 HP all in the same year