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Top 10 Cummins ISC Problems

Written By, Mike McGlothlin In the world of medium-duty trucks and hardworking agriculture, construction, mining, forestry, and industrial applications, the Cummins ISC is an industry workhorse. Released in 1998, this iron block and head inline-six replaced the mechanical (and venerable) 6CT. The ISC brought a 24-valve cylinder head, more power and torque, better coolant flow…

Written By, Mike McGlothlin It’s a beast of an engine that displaces 1,649 cubic inches (27.0L) and shares the same bore and stroke as the CAT 3408—but the CAT 3412 engine is no V-8. . It’s an industrial-grade, 65-degree V-12 with replaceable wet liners, a cast-iron block (and heads), and can turn out as much…

Written By, Mike McGlothlin The largest V-8 to ever grace the American Class 8 truck market, the CAT 3408 engine is a 1,099 cubic inch, 18.0L beast of an engine that is widely respected both for its durability and its cool factor. Unlike its smaller, medium-duty sibling, the CAT 3208 engine, the 3408 boasted replaceable…

Written By, Mike McGlothlin Before the CAT C15 engine, there was the iconic CAT 3406 engine. Offered in A, B, C, and E models, each being more technologically advanced than the other, the 3406 enjoyed a very lengthy production run. The 3406E is perhaps the best-remembered version, namely due to its electronic control enabling end…

Written By, Mike McGlothlin The smaller sibling of the CAT 3306 engine, the CAT 3304 engine is a highly reliable, fuel-efficient, 7.0L (425 ci) inline-four-cylinder diesel engine born in the 1970s. Immensely popular in the construction and forestry industries (think rollers, dozers, excavators, gen-sets, and skidders), it’s also a proven platform in many marine applications.…

Written By, Mike McGlothlin The 3208 CAT engine is a 636 cubic inch (10.4L) V-8 that was designed to be a compact alternative to the longer, inline-six options in the company’s arsenal. For trucks, buses, boats, and even farm equipment, its more packageable size made it a logical choice for applications with tighter engine bays.…

Written By, Mike McGlothlin The CAT 3126 was Caterpillar’s first medium-duty diesel engine to benefit from 100-percent electronic control. Debuting in the late 1990s, it succeeded the Caterpillar 3116 engine. Most mechanics and owner-operators appreciate the fact that the 3126 employs CAT’s HEUI injection system (hydraulic electronic unit injector) rather than the camshaft-driven (and often…

Written By, Mike McGlothlin The CAT 3116 engine is one of the smallest diesel engines Caterpillar produced itself (its smallest displacement power plants are built by Perkins or Mitsubishi). The 6.6L (402 ci), dry sleeve, inline-six made its debut in the early 1990s, and it would find a happy home in on-highway, medium duty trucks…

Written By, Mike McGlothlin Caterpillar’s 3066 is a dry sleeve, cast-iron block and head, inline-six diesel engine displacing 6.4L that debuted in the early 1990s. Immediately, it became a hit in heavy construction equipment, especially in excavators. The CAT 3066 is renowned for its durability, with many going 15,000 hours before requiring a major overhaul.…

Written By, Mike McGlothlin Based on a proven Perkins design, the CAT 3054 engine (also known as a Perk-a-Pillar) has served duty in all sorts of off-highway applications. Skid steers, small wheel loaders, excavators, and backhoes have all been powered by them, as have telehandlers, forklifts, rollers, compactors, hydraulic pumps, woodchippers, mining equipment, farm tractors,…

Written By, Mike McGlothlin CAT’s C15 is hated by some and lauded by others, depending on which specific version you’re referring to. Designed to replace the outgoing (and highly coveted) 3406E Cat engine, the C-15 (emphasis on the dash) was initially available as a single turbo power plant (with “6NZ” models being highly sought after),…

Written By, Mike McGlothlin The CAT C13 replaced the venerable C12. Available in late 2002 but officially debuting in 2003, the C13 was intended for the vocational truck market, but it found a happy home in many different sectors, on-and-off the highway. Early versions of this 763 cubic inch, 12.5L inline-six are known as “bridge”…

Written By, Mike McGlothlin Outside of displacement, the CAT C12 is basically the same as a Cat C10. Like the C10, it has three valve covers, its intake manifold located on the same side as the exhaust manifold, an external fuel rail and external oil pump, and is easy to work on. Both engines share…

Written By, Mike McGlothlin It was only on the assembly line from 2003 to 2006, but during its short production run CAT’s C11 engine proved a reliable performer in every application it made it into. In countless on-highway vehicles, it often goes 600,000 to 700,000 miles before requiring an overhaul. Meticulously maintained, it can last…

Written By, Mike McGlothlin Essentially a 3306 with electronics, Caterpillar’s C10 is a rock-steady, 629 cubic inch inline-six that was produced from 1995 to 2004. It’s a robust power plant that predates ACERT technology, hence its reputation for simplicity and reliability. But while the C10 thrives in many motorhome and marine applications—not to mention being…