Overhauling a Caterpillar C15 Engine — Notes From the Workshop
Introdução
We had a C15 come into the shop that just wasn’t the same anymore. The owner complained about heavy smoke and higher fuel bills, and when we ran it, the loss of pulling power was obvious. That’s usually the C15’s way of saying: “Stop patching me up and do it right.” So we pulled it out for a complete overhaul.
Tearing It Down
First step was to strip the block bare. Once the head and accessories were off, the block went onto the stand. We cleaned the saddles and measured every bearing clearance. A couple were way out of spec—no surprise after years of hard running.
The front cover came off next. Lining up the timing gears is always a tense moment; one slip here and you pay for it later. We marked and checked everything twice before closing it back.
The Head, Injectors and Turbo
The head looked tired. Valves and springs got a close inspection, and we replaced what needed replacing. Injectors went back in with new seals—no point cutting corners there.
The turbo told the same story: loose shaft, worn housing, not making proper boost. We set it aside and unboxed a brand-new CAT 362-0865. Just holding the new unit, you can feel the difference—tight, smooth, ready to go.
Putting It Back Together
This is the part where the shop floor goes quiet. Everyone focuses. Gaskets, seals, filters—everything new. Bolts tightened in sequence with the torque wrench clicking away. Slowly the pile of parts started to look like an engine again.
The First Start
The moment of truth: we primed the oil, checked fluids, and hit the starter. The C15 barked back to life almost instantly. Oil pressure came up quick, temps stayed steady, and idle was rock solid. No smoke, no odd rattles. We let it run, listening closely, until we were confident enough to give it a little throttle. Smooth power, just like it should be.
Back in Action
Quando o motor voltou a ser colocado na máquina, a diferença foi evidente. A potência voltou, o fumo desapareceu e o consumo de combustível diminuiu. O proprietário estava a sorrir - recuperou o seu C15 sem gastar numa substituição.
Para levar
e o motor Caterpillar C15 começar a apresentar os sinais clássicos: perda de potência, elevado consumo de óleo, escape escuro - é mais inteligente reconstruir do que continuar a remendar. Este trabalho recordou-nos que, com paciência, as ferramentas certas e peças genuínas, é possível recuperar a saúde de um C15 desgastado e poupar uma fortuna no processo