Which Late Model, 2012 Up Engines Are The Most Reliable?

Don't know if I'm in the right place, but thought I'd join up and try. I'm a low miles seasonal guy, who runs older stuff. But, its time to start thinking about some newer old stuff. As you can imagine I've never had to deal the whole egr/def/dpf nightmare. I'm looking for some advice.

Welcome Shelby, your question is interesting to me. I can’t tell you which one is better than another. They all leave alot to be desired, however it’s not the engine’s it’s the after treatment systems. I have had nightmares with Freightliner ( the worst problems), international and kenworth.

I have studied and lived through the repairs and learned that the systems work better on trucks that run longer time periods, they have their own computer and it will clean its self out going down the road. If your running shorter distances or idling alot you can expect more problems.

Personally I would try to upgrade to something with only an egr system. The systems are very expensive to have worked on.

Thanks for the reply pj. I have thought that might be the case. But, I've seen these prostars with the maxxforce engines sell at auction twice this winter so far, and just fantastic looking trucks, 14's and 15's for fire sale prices. I have been tempted but the same trucks coming from the same company with the ISX engines are bringing exactly twice the price. It makes me wonder if there is something else going on there. I know you guys out there, who are real truckers, have got a lot larger body of info than me. I don't need to do anything for a while yet, so I'm gonna keep looking and asking questions.

Please please please stay away from that max force engine. International isn’t proud of it, but they tried. My first company truck had one. After 200k it couldn’t stay out of the shop. I drove a 14 prostar with a cummins and was night and day different. I currently have a 15 with the cummins, non goverened and it runs great. The dpf system has cost alot of money the last 200k though. Our mechanic works on a guys truck that has the maxforce and he hates it. He has worked on big trucks for 30 years and his personal opinion is it’s one of the top worst engines ever put in a truck. The old adage you get what you pay for is currently true.

I would recommend staying away from the max force. I have driven a couple different internationals with that engine and they seem to have a slot of issues. I haven’t driven much outside of international. The newer models with the Cummins have been good to me.

Well thanks a lot guys for the info. I thought there had to be something to it. I only been on this forum for a few hours and have got one decision already made. The reason I was even interested in the Int's is my oldest truck is an 95 eagle with a Detroit, been a really reliable old truck for many years. Its the one I want to replace. I don't want to sell it just kind of make it back up from now on.

I would find me a pre 05 9400 because it is pre emission. I don’t know your situation regarding elogs but anything 2000 and newer will bump you into an eld unless you fit into one of the very few exceptions

I would find me a pre 05 9400 because it is pre emission. I don’t know your situation regarding elogs but anything 2000 and newer will bump you into an eld unless you fit into one of the very few exceptions

The eld thing is not an issue for me. But, I have another question. I'm seeing 2011-12 trucks, same truck, same miles. Truck with ISX engine will sell 5 or 6K higher than the truck with the DD15 Detroit. Can I take away from that, the ISX is a little more reliable?

Kinda like a small block chevy and anything else. Cummins can be worked on cheaper and more places than a detroit. So it will command a bit better price

Kinda like a small block chevy and anything else. Cummins can be worked on cheaper and more places than a detroit. So it will command a bit better price

Thanks, I've got a N14 in an old freightliner, and the only thing I ever had to do was put One injector in it. But I don't know a thing about any of the later model stuff.