Cat Diesel Engine Low Power Troubleshooting. 

WHAT SEPARATES THIS GUY FROM OTHERS ON YT IS THE FACT THAT HE IS A TRUE MECHANIC NOT A PARTS CHANGER. THIS GUY IS ANALYTICAL AND WOULD HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN ANY OCCUPATION

This guy understands diesel engines as a system. He understands the INTERACTIONS of all the components of your application. A real mechanic.

Your videos are a god send! I'm about to graduate from the diesel program at UTI in 2 weeks and I'm just trying to learn all I can. Guys like youself are the ones who will help us new guys to get on our feet. Thank you sir, you are a gentleman and a scholar.

I can watch you all day and not get bored. I have learned a lot from your videos because I’m a motor t mechanic in the Marine Corps and all we work on is C-12 and C-15

Your systematic thinking and doing negative checks is what differentiates a good vs a master mechanic . You never learn this in schools. It's really using your brain and logic

from Algeria in the Afican continent you sir are amazing respect

Great job sir, very systematic, "MOST" back yard shade tree or half ass mechanics are NOT going to bother with actually checking these items and doing it right. Thanks for taking time to share, God bless

Now that i run a c15 nxs 07 model your videos have been a great help in learning this motor so thank and salute for your dedication to help us wanna be gearheads try and figure some of this shit out ourselves...

Josh, always learn when watching your videos. My 5 cylinder VW diesel (non turbo) doesn't run so good at tick over when hot. Otherwise it's a beast...a low powered, slow beast but a beast none the less!! To me it's definitely an injector issue but you mentioned a few other possibilites that I wouldn't have thought of. I like the idea of using a temperature gun on the exhaust manifold to look for a dodgy cylinder, will check mine later, can't remember if it has a 'log' exhaust manifold but lets see. Thanks again..

A surprisingly common fix for low power complaints is removing the bunched-up floor mat from underneath the accelerator pedal.

Congrats on 70k subscribers!! Keep up the good work!!

Hey Ape. Super informative and knowledgeable video Thank you. Haven't solved the mystery, (black smoke and powering out in 3306 330bl excavator, only once warm and operating), but feeling much better equipped to figure it out. Great music too!

All this low power talk reminds me of some detroit's we had years ago 😑 cat has my heart now 😍

Loved the Trebuchet troubleshooting analogy great stuff. Excellent video.

I worked for Caterpillar, in the 80s.had a 3408 with low power in a dump truck. Searched for a while,long while. Eventually found a dead bird in the aftercooler inlet pipe .someone had work on the truck and not sealed the pipes, so the bird made its nest in the aftercooler blocking partially. The truck was running in a open cast cement mine.

Had a truck driver complaining of low power on a Detroit Series 60, he was irate and telling me that Series 60s were shit, got into the cab of the truck to put it on the wheel dyno, rubbish all through the cab, a plastic milk carton tied to the gearshift that was full of cigarette butts and the smell of off food. Put the truck on the dyno and did a pull, 62% throttle was the max, checked the throttle pedal, found a chicken bone stuck under the pedal, put on gloves, removed the chicken bone, low power problem solved.

Lol! I had a operator come into the shop and said the head is cracked and truck overheating. 3126...... No Water pump belt on it..... Super videos.... Thanks much!

I know my bus could use an oil change. But now I should check the fuel lines with the clear tube. I have intermittent boost issues. Itll work then not then further down it works then not. Works less up hills. Thank you for the video

Your videos are gold man thank you

I love mechanical things and explanations on how they work and fail. Since watching the Adept Ape, I finally realized that you sound just like the Norm Macdonald. The only difference is that what you say is not a joke.

Adept Ape, you are a very smart individual. Thank you for posting these videos!

From amritsar punjab india and toronto ontario canada. Amazing videos and technical master.

Great video. Do you have any colleagues in the equipment shop that you could teach to make videos like you? I'd enjoy videos like yours about Cat hydraulic and power train systems.

Excellent checkpoints ideas! Thanks

First of all, I would like to thank you for your help I have a problem with the generator, as the turbo loads 50% Replace the nozzles and adjust the valve clearance I did not get any result

Some really good information here! Confirms my CCC Progress Report theory is not totally bogus for my IHET program ahah

Good information mate Big thumbs up 👍

We had a truck from a local scrapyard in here that had low power. Not sure who was working on it, but the history was low power, turbo replacement, not fixed, injection pump, not fixed, now the engine blows a rod out the side, they replace the engine, still low power. Now it comes to our shop, we open the hood, give it some throttle, and the intake ducting damn near collapses. We open up the air cleaner and there is so much dirt packed in there we have to pry the element out

Love your videos. Helps me out tremendously. Thanks !!

The last low power complaint I had, it was discovered that the secondary fuel filter wasn’t changed in 40,000 miles 🤦🏻‍♂️

Excellent, no other word would do. Thank.

great information from a great man many thanks mr.josh

Talking about the chasing of strange symptoms but this was a western star with m11 Cummings same thing warm up periodically engine would fall on face. A couple mechanics tried to figure it out to no avail. Next mechanic a good friend of mine tested the usual. Mine you this truck was being fabricated to be a log truck with Prentice loader boom. His next question was did you unhook the batteries every time they welded they say they did they thought Replacement of ecm problem solved un hook your batteries when welding a valuable lesson I learned.

Good refresher course man,, thanks...

I have a c15 twin turbo bxs no codes on but when I do the flash code test I get about 7 codes I replaced all the sensor but it still gave me the flash codes. Is it a ground problem? Bad ecm? Or just needs a new wire harness? Thanks your videos have helped me out a lot.

One of the things listed (faulty sensor) But a lot of the people who work on diesel engines often over look at the manifold pressure sensor. Pop it out. If its plugged with soot. Clean it. If its plugged badly, chances are your intake manifold needs to be cleaned too. A lot of those deposits built up are from your egr and constant long idle. Whats crazy is the cummins engines that have dpf and def systems can often regen more frequently if the manifold pressure sensor is plugged with soot. But cummins and the adept ape channel is night and day. He only deals with cat engines.

Great video! Thanks!

Grate info for checking and trouble shooting even I could do this and I don't do macanics. Why u got one side burn longer than the other ?

You are a great Mecanic thanks a lot

Thanks I really needed this

You are a very good Teacher, please how can ECM be tested without a Diagnoser .

Josh, at 13:16 you state that air leaks between the turbo and combustion chamber cause low boost pressure along with concurrent lower fuel consumption. In my experience, there has been a slight increase in fuel consumption accompanied by with a slight increase in particulate matter, as the decrease in air entering the combustion chamber adversely changes the air/fuel ratio. Then again, I've seen similar air leaks not impact fuel mileage or exhaust smoke characteristics. Now, could an ECM, sensing low air manifold pressure, derate the engine?

always love the destruction of the week segments

Great tips

🇦🇺. Thanks for sharing your knowledge always very interesting 🔧⚙️🔩⚙️🔧⚙️

Thank you sir

Thank you ❤

Very nice 👍 guy very informative

Great video

Great video s I have learn a lot Thanks

Was looking at a 2006 t600 KW with a c15 with 550k on the motor is there anything to watch out for or ask about maintenance wise I see those motors up to almost 2 million

Love ya man

I have several late 90s and early 2000 IH with DT466E motors and they all have different hp ratings from 175 to 250 hp the 175 about 195 are real dogs the turbos take awhile to really spool up but 210 to 250 hp spool up much faster but it seems like i get a upper rpm miss fire and it most always is the cam sensor going bad and if you don't change out soon it will leave you stranded its like the engine wants to shut down at certain rpms i think the fuel system is a cat system that they put into ih dt466.

Well done as always.

Good stuff

With the engine block, can you add inner lining into it so you don't have to buy a new block if you get sidewall damage?

Thanks, I had a bad ECM. Engine load would only get up to 45 percent in ET while running a compressor

HI , I have a 1994 peterbilt with a cat 3406b 3ZJ44897. About a year and a half ago truck broke down lost a lot of power and was throwing a huge amount of white smoke. Unfortunate for me I couldn't find a cat dealer that would have time to work on it. Took it to a mechanic I met at a peterbilt store, he said he can take a look at it right away. A few mechanics mention that it could be the nozzles so I took all 6 of them to speed up the process. He said that one was bad and maybe 2 more, so I had him replace all 6. After he replace all 6 the problem was still there. He had me rebuild the fuel pump paid around $4000. Still the same problem. He checked the turbo and it was bad, he told me that he only checked one side and it looked ok. Bought a Borg Warner turbo and he install it. I was expecting the truck to run a lot better but for my surprise it was nothing close to how it was running before. It felt like it was missing power loaded, specially going up hill. I finally took it to another mechanic and he claims that the timing was retard two teeth and idle the truck down since it was idling hi. I took the truck and it did run quieter or smooth but still was lacking power. I haul aggregates with a 22 foot dump trailer so a lot of times its on site work and hardly drive on highways. So it takes me a while before I can run loaded on hills or expressways. Any ways I took it to Peterbilt cause they had a cat teacher over there. And again they claim the timing was off and retimed it. They replace the diaphragm and some o-rings. But I still have the same problem, its still smoking more than normal and has low power. I did notice the manifold psi has little psi on lower gears and 14 psi max on 8th 9th and 10th gears. I will check with them and see if they did a fuel pressure and vacuum test. Ask if they did a intercooler leak test. Any advice would be appreciated.

I have a 430D. 5000+ hours. Starts up fine, idles fine, no smoke, past a small Puff on startup. just has 0 power when using loader or when driving. I HAVE to use 1st/2nd gear floored when going up any hill and I’m talking a creeping pace. Wastegate works and is in closed position. I replaced all vacuum lines, checked injector caps, checked boost collar, we replaced both fuel filters, new oil, new filter. Haven’t checked turbine shaft.

I been having problems with a c 15 twin turbos when I let off u can hear the turbine still spinning and it does it also loaded what do u recommend

We got 320d2 what causes engine low power only when boom and stick is stalled, thank you

I know marine isn’t really your thing, but I have an all mechanical 6140 lugger (Komatsu block) that has a rough idle and somewhat annoying tick below 950rpm. It also blows pretty heavy black smoke at high load. Doesn’t use oil and doesn’t have blow by and still has lots of power. Mechanic has done an overhead recently. I’m thinking injectors, but maybe you have another idea?

I have a c15 year 2002 I just fix it less than a year ago. I got the whole kit to repair it, plus head fixed. My oil pressure when idling cold 80psi hot down to 30 psi is it normal??? Thx.

Cleaned it and problem fixed

Hello. Love your content. I do alot of the basic to moderate mechanic work for our company. We recently encountered a problem with our cat15 motor. Scenario goes like this. I drove it up a mountain with a lowboy on the back and it hauled it perfect. As it warmed up it starts to miss. We have had 2 different mechanics look at the issue. We have done a full service and found one of the injectors not seated properly. They have done dead cylinder tests and still the problem persist. We have pressure regulator on order as well as spring kit. Beyond that we are at a loss of what it could be. We are running wix filters also. Could those play into fuel problems? I know cat filters are king but would wix be really that bad? Thanks for your time and for content. Have learned alot from these videos.

I love your videos! Ok, so I have a few questions, are you mainly a truck engine mechanic for cat or do you also work on heavy equipment? Also when you’re working on a truck, say a peterbilt or kenworth and you find a brake problem or another mechanical problem like you did in this video do you fix it or does your dealer let the customer know so they can take it to a truck shop?

Im moving 48,000 km with a kodiak double axle 3126 10 speed and 40,000 axles? Is it too much for the truck ? When I tow it feels ok slow but can do the job easily.

7:00 or just us a trebuchet to launch the engine into a pit of lava (lol)

Is there any way I can get in touch with you to ask some questions? I have a 2000 gmc 6500 with a 3126 CAT, just been watching your videos and trying to learn, have a couple questions

I have a 2004 379 with a c12 mbl19182 with a 10 speed and 370 rears with a complete platinum overhaul my problem is even before my over haul my truck has no power from 8th to 9th and 9th to 10th gear and my pryo gets up past 900 temp from 1st gear to 8th I’m good and it also sounds as if my jakes are on even at idle but sounds worse when running down the road I’ve changed just about everything I can think of from wire harness to a bunch of sensors and even had my ecm checked and tuned I’m lost at what to do to get it to run right

Brand new d9.c18 engine.compared to our old d9r with the 3408 this new one has 25 percent less power,can actually almost kill the engine under load.no faults.

I really enjoy all your videos. Have a question on a 3406C I believe it’s the partial mechanical pump it’s the cat that they made to upgrade the B but only has adjustable computer crap . But it definitely has head gasket n plate gasket is bad but 1 question is the oil pressure is to high it’s a mechanical oil pump correct what causes higher oil pressure!?

Can you recommend a good Caterpillar mechanic in the area from Atlanta to Gainesville. Other than Yancy shops. Thank you.

What level should the throttle position sensor be I have a scan gauge kr and it shows 93-94 and I have low boost. Pretty sure I need a new throttle pedal

5ek sputters under hard acceleration...or heavy load...thx

you made me laugh 1:12 awesome video i still use ur videos to learn

my 3406B has 900,000mi. on the last build. had the rack adj. 70,000mi ago and it is clean as a whistle under the cover. no blow by but consumes about a gallon of oil in 10,000mi {leaks a little at both front and rear seals) is it safe to turn it up a little?

The first thing we check is the air filter start the engine and try to pull it out of the housing if it's hard it.s plugged

Hi I have Detroit serious 60 engine light on and off no power boost

About how fast would a f650 with a c7 2007 go down the highway with a full load maybe 2 tons. We also here the belt slip and squeal until it shifts... just seems weird

I have a 93 c12 in a 2000 KW. RECENTLY DEVELOPED OIL IN THE EXAUST SIDE OF TURBO.AFTER REPLACING THE TURBO ,THAT CURED MOST OF IT.BUT IM STILL GETTI G A LITTLE OIL WHERE THE TURBO BOLTS TO THE EX MANIFOLD. IVE NOTICED WHEN I GO UP A HILL I CAN SMELL BURNING OIL. THIS ENGINE HAS ABOUT 350 THOUSAND MILES.AND HAS BEEN VERYWELL TAKEN CARE OF.PLENTY OF POWER. BUT I DO HAVE A MINIMAL AMOUNT OF BLOW BY.AFTER RUNNING SOME INJECTOR CLEANER THROUGH IT IT S RUNNING GREAT. ANY COMMENTS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

Hello Josh, I have a 5ek is been swamped from a Kenworth to 1996 peterbilt , and the boost it take about 1700 rpm to start going up any idea, I’ll pass by Idaho on Friday

I have a c15 no power. Checked charge air cooler replaced map boost sensors cam sensors changes turbo’s I still have nothing! Runs smooth doesn’t get hot doesn’t miss. Exhausted is clear I have good air filters. My fuel pressure is in spec as well. At this point I have no idea what it could be.

I saw the video about putting more power into an engine with original caterpillar parts but I have an E model 2WS so I would like to put a Marine Camshaft and I’ve tried to find the part number but I haven’t t been able to find it ,is there any way you could help me?

Do u work on maxx force 13’s?

My truck lost power I turned it off pump the like little fuel air pump turn it back up again and it work well you think it could be pressure?

Low engine performance caused by the driver's seat exceeding max load rating?

Does the governor match with the injectors. I have 2 different governors and 2 different injectors, are they interchangeable?

Can you give us a feedback on low voltage issues in Cat 3406B/SR4 Main Ac alternator

Hay josh where is your shop located ....

can u explain the vva bleeder screws? do they exhaust oil all the time? my c15 is pushing oil out the bleeder screws on the vva it pushes more oil out on 3-4 and 5-6 1-2 only a little bit

2:35 That instrument cluster looks familiar lol

I'm getting full revs when it's just on idle but once I put it in gear/load it doesnt rev up past 800rpm1

Number one

What if your getting no blow by no check engine lights . But has low boost about 20 psi pulling a hill. Also getting a lil oil in the air cooler hose connected to the turbo.

I think caterpillar has missed the boat they should have this gentleman teaching the next generation for them.

I have a few problem with the jake brake speedometer odometer and cruse control can yo help me

Mine runs fine until it gets warmed up and the engine bogs down. Won't accelerate over 45. Pullover, let it sit for 10 minutes. Gets back up to 60 for about 30 seconds. Then bogs back down to 45. Any ideas? Will be checking all the things you mentioned. Freightliner FL70 7.6 Cat - box truck

Where is your shop located?

My excavator has a C7DI engine does hard starting and after it starts, no power to work. What can be the cause?