Well,
I've got several friends with the C-7 and several with the 3126. Both of those engines are great engines. EVERY diesel engine, CAT or Cummins, and variations of them, CAN have issues. Does this mean that ALL CATs or All Cummins are bad, he... no. The C-7 was an improvement over the 3126 which, had several versions. There were not only emmisions changes with the introduction of the C-7 but, there were some physical changes too. The C-7 was introduced in late '03 but the coaches were labeled as '04. Such is the case with ours.
The chassis build date was Oct of '03. The coach build date was 11 of '03. The C-7 CAT, has primarily (3) versions for the RV industry. A 300, 330 and a 350HP version. One of the minor differences is the elimination of the "lube" zerk fitting for the fan bearing. CAT found that many were not being maintained on a regular basis due to the location of it. So, for the C-7, they started installing permanently sealed fab hub bearings.
The HEUI pump is also different for the C-7. It provides a higher injection pressure. There are a few more aesthetically different features but I've forgotten them. We have presently, 83,000 miles on ours and it runs like a top. The folks we run with have anywhere from 25,000 to 90,000 on theirs and none of them have had any issues. At 82,000, I just replaced my fan hub bearing. Mine was rough but, still turning just fine. No doubt about it, some have failed early. But, based on the amount of C-7s out there, not that many have had a failed fan hub bearing.
The HEUI pumps, while some have had an issue, are working just fine. The problem with RVers that read about ISSUES with any CAT engines on here is, you're reading about a very, very limited amount of problem engines. The C-7 was not only installed in motorhomes. It was installed in over-the-road trucks, delivery trucks, Fire trucks, School busses, cement trucks and a whole lot more. There are still thousands and thousands of C-7s still running around this country and most cities out there. No to mention, there were plenty of C-7s installed in Marine applications too.
Not to mention, while we do read of a FEW issues of the C-7 on here, not every one who owns a C-7 or even a motorhome, is a member of an RV forum. There are thousands that aren't. Cummins has had its share of "issues" too. Those that are Cummins savvy will know which models/versions have had issues.
But, as for a coach with a C-7, it's been said many, many times, if the coach has the layout, the color, the condition(s), the size/length, and any and all other features that are in the parameters of a search, to walk away from it due to it having the C-7, well, it's definitely THAT persons loss. There are many, many CAT service centers all over the place.
Scott
I've got several friends with the C-7 and several with the 3126. Both of those engines are great engines. EVERY diesel engine, CAT or Cummins, and variations of them, CAN have issues. Does this mean that ALL CATs or All Cummins are bad, he... no. The C-7 was an improvement over the 3126 which, had several versions. There were not only emmisions changes with the introduction of the C-7 but, there were some physical changes too. The C-7 was introduced in late '03 but the coaches were labeled as '04. Such is the case with ours.
The chassis build date was Oct of '03. The coach build date was 11 of '03. The C-7 CAT, has primarily (3) versions for the RV industry. A 300, 330 and a 350HP version. One of the minor differences is the elimination of the "lube" zerk fitting for the fan bearing. CAT found that many were not being maintained on a regular basis due to the location of it. So, for the C-7, they started installing permanently sealed fab hub bearings.
The HEUI pump is also different for the C-7. It provides a higher injection pressure. There are a few more aesthetically different features but I've forgotten them. We have presently, 83,000 miles on ours and it runs like a top. The folks we run with have anywhere from 25,000 to 90,000 on theirs and none of them have had any issues. At 82,000, I just replaced my fan hub bearing. Mine was rough but, still turning just fine. No doubt about it, some have failed early. But, based on the amount of C-7s out there, not that many have had a failed fan hub bearing.
The HEUI pumps, while some have had an issue, are working just fine. The problem with RVers that read about ISSUES with any CAT engines on here is, you're reading about a very, very limited amount of problem engines. The C-7 was not only installed in motorhomes. It was installed in over-the-road trucks, delivery trucks, Fire trucks, School busses, cement trucks and a whole lot more. There are still thousands and thousands of C-7s still running around this country and most cities out there. No to mention, there were plenty of C-7s installed in Marine applications too.
Not to mention, while we do read of a FEW issues of the C-7 on here, not every one who owns a C-7 or even a motorhome, is a member of an RV forum. There are thousands that aren't. Cummins has had its share of "issues" too. Those that are Cummins savvy will know which models/versions have had issues.
But, as for a coach with a C-7, it's been said many, many times, if the coach has the layout, the color, the condition(s), the size/length, and any and all other features that are in the parameters of a search, to walk away from it due to it having the C-7, well, it's definitely THAT persons loss. There are many, many CAT service centers all over the place.
Scott
