Although they have similar names, the Cat C15 and Cat C15 ACERT diesel engines are miles apart in terms of technology. A Caterpillar C15 ACERT engine is the newest of the bunch and designed with an advanced twin-turbocharger system.
As a general rule, 2 is better than one. While having 2 turbochargers does wonder for fuel economy and increases horsepower, it can also double down on potential issues. But how do you know it’s time to replace one or both of the turbochargers on your Caterpillar C15 ACERT engine? This question, alongside many others, will be answered in this post!
DFI is committed to helping you not only understand but also diagnose common Cat C15 ACERT turbo problems so that when the inevitable happens, you know where to start.
When it comes to a failing turbocharger, the Cat C15 ACERT engine has its own unique symptoms that can help you identify if the fault in question is in fact due to a defective turbo.
We’ve listed some of the most common symptoms of a failing Caterpillar Acert C15 turbocharger. Remember, they are just the most common, and not the only ones.
Common failing Cat C15 ACERT turbocharger symptoms include:
Any of the symptoms mentioned above are enough to create a great deal of stress and cause major downtime on your truck. What can be done to prevent it? Preventative maintenance is key to having a strong and long-lasting turbo.
However, even the most careful and meticulous owners will at some point or another experience turbocharger issues. In our opinion, it is not a matter of if, it’s when. Being aware of any strange noises, added smoke, and a decrease in power or throttle response will help with diagnosing potential turbocharger issues on your Caterpillar C15 ACERT diesel engine. Here is a handy checklist that can help you easily detect turbocharger issues.
The C15 ACERT engine has always gotten a lot of flack from the purists for being an unnecessarily complicated diesel engine. Of course, the famous yellow engine didn’t do it to simply annoy owners. There was a reason behind the madness.
As we all know by now, emissions regulations get stricter with every passing year. In response, Caterpillar introduced the ACERT system to their lineup of C15 and other popular engines. The system included a twin-turbo setup that replaced the outdated, single turbo of previous years.
This all sounds good in theory, but more moving parts mean an added potential for problems. Over the years, owner-operators complained that the ACERT system added more headaches than anything. Understanding the system will show you that it is not the manufacturer’s fault, but rather the stricter legislation that was set in place.
The C15 engine was equipped with a total of two as opposed to the single turbo that previous Caterpillar C15 diesel engines were equipped with in the past. In addition to doubling the potential for problems, Caterpillar had one turbo equipped with a wastegate, while the other was not.
Some owners have also reported issues with cracked housing, failed bearings, and carbon/debris buildup entering the turbochargers. In reality, these issues could happen on any turbocharged diesel engine, but the likelihood of it was doubled thanks to the twin-turbo setup.
Issues such as a loose shaft can make the blades touch the inside of the housing and ultimately cause irreparable damage. Of course, these issues can be prevented by visually inspecting the system for play periodically. Luckily, Caterpillar resolved common issues in later models. For example, stronger roller bearings were added to reduce the chance of inner housing damage due to a loose shaft.
Even something simple like an air leak can make you think that the ACERT system is poorly made, when in fact it could the power loss could be created by a simple loose clamp or cracked hose.
If you have been dealt a bad hand and are experiencing Cat C15 ACERT turbocharger issues, it may be time to replace them. An experienced shop will be able to accurately determine if they need to be replaced or not after a proper inspection.
Our ASE-certified staff can be reached by phone at 1-855-212-3022. There are many reasons why customers choose DFI over the rest, and our extremely knowledgeable crew is one of them!
