old 300

We ordered a new M2 106 in April and had it coming with the Mercedes-Benz MBE 900-280 hp. We find out the other day that they are having trouble with those engines over 250 hp and we can't get that engine. It was something about the engines breaking after 300,000 miles( 500,000 kms). So now the dealer wants to put in a Cummins 285hp engine and I'm trying to get info on it. I don't want to get a throw away engine, but i'm not too sure how big I need to go to get a good engine. Any info would be great. $$$$ are an issue here thats why we were going with the Benz. Thanks.

Russ Roth

What series is the Cummins? I have a cousin who is shop foreman @ Portland Freightliner. Give me some more info and I can try to call him and find out what he might know.

wannadiesel

At 285 HP it's an ISC. That's a solid motor, and I'd expect it to outlast the little MB.

Rampage1967

Is that a semi tractor?
If it is, do yorself a favor, CAT & Cummins both say it takes 275 hp to run a semi at 70 mph & all truck drivers I know recomend going with bigger engines . . . 350 - 400 hp usually. Thay say the trucks drive nicer & get better fuel economy than going with the little engines.

bmoeller

Depends on the use.

I think anything under 475hp is to small. 400 is fine on the flat (depending on the trailer or loads), but need more in the mountains. I run a 500hp ISX, and still wish it had more power at times. Sucks to be a hp junkie. Hoping to get one of the new ISX600 in the next truck.

RickG

If you're ordering a new truck any engine will be an unknown . Fleets bought up all the '06's they could to avoid buying an '07 with a particulate filter . Every manufacturer had problems meeting certification with these engines . Seriously consider looking hard for a good used pre-'07 truck .

Hillbilly_Deluxe

Since it's just a business class truck you should be fine, I run a 475 Cummins in my truck, and it has lots of power. Around here in the semi truck you can't get a Cummins in a freightliner, it's either CAT, Detroit, or Mercedes.

farmer0_1

buddy of mine drive roll deck and says the mercedes in the roll decks don't like freeway driving . been alot of engines blown .

bmoeller

Same here. I couldn't even get valve cover gaskets from them anymore for my 12v. The 8.3L uses the same ones.

Russ Roth

I gave cuz a call but he must be out of town for the weekend. Will try later this week.

kingofdodge7131

I work at First Fleet, we have all 04 and new Volvos here, they have egrs on them. i do one every other day and there 900 a piece. some under warrenty some not. Its really bad. Its why i bought a 5.9 instead of 6.7

induchman

If it's a Freightshaker, I didn't think you could get a Cummins anymore except on replacement? It's either a DD or MB (pos). For an M2 106 the engine choice is limited to a Series 60.

Monty

The M2 106 is a medium duty and couldnt even fit a Series 60 in the engine compartment. There base engine is the MB900. Freightliner has gone back to using Cummins engines as an option in there Medium duty trucks, but has dropped CAT off of the list for the M2's except for the C13 in the M112.

Available engines for the 106 is the MB900, ISB, ISC.

With CAT out of the picture in the M2's, either one of these engines would be great for the 106. However, I can say without a doubt we have had less problems with the MB900 than any of the rest. The only thing that was a problem on them were the EGR coolers. However, a single pass cooler has been implemented into the 07 engines.

I have not had to work on a 07 EPA twin turbo 900 yet so I cannot say how they are like. We have 3 trucks running for Lepak trucking with the MB900 with over 1.6 million on the clock with not one single internal engine problem.

However, if you ordered the engine in April, chances are, it is the 900 EPA 07.

induchman

Hi Monty, I got it from FL's webpage. No mention of Cat or Cummins for M2 106.

Monty

The techs at Freightliner got a letter last year about the availability of the Cummins and the dropping of the CAT. In Jan. of last year, 3 M2 trucks came thru with an ISC. They are here now and can be ordered.

Here is the brochure for the M2, if you look on page 8, you can see the avail. engines. http://www.freightlinertrucks.com/me...2_Brochure.pdf