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Should I keep.my truck, or buy a new one? It keeps having break downs

by Kyle Greer
(South Bend IN )

I need help, I own a 2005 Peterbilt 378. It has a Cummins ISM engine with unknown miles on it. I do have paperwork on it showing it went through a total overhaul 250000 miles ago. The truck had had a lot of issues with it except the engine itself.

All of the components that are connected to it has been the issue plus several other parts.

It seems it can't go 2, 3 weeks without visiting the repair shop. I know it's a solid engine, no DEF and a pretty looking truck that I hope one day I can make it my dream semi.

But all of these issues are happening and no sight of it stopping. My budget is tight because of slow work, and expensive repairs, main issues is the EGR. What should I do?

Should I cut my losses and find a different truck or fight through it and hopefully see the light.

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Mar 21, 2024
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That is always a very touch choice to make, I've been there
by: Hervy

I feel your frustration Kyle. I went through it for 2 years.

Engine no problem. Everything else, problem after problem!

$20,000 year 1 and $20,000 year 2 then year three I probably spent less than $7,000 on truck repairs!

Anyway, the good thing is Cummins has a great engine. (Hopefully it's the red top) And since you had the overhaul you should easily get at least 500,000 out of it.

(I've always gotten more than that out of my engines but they've been Detroit engines)

The question is what have you replaced?
What can you avoid or be proactive with so you can avoid breakdowns.

Make sure you keep a set of belts, an extra air bag, brake chamber and spare tire.

Have a set of tools and gorilla tape.

As long as you can hang in there, you'll likely run out of things to replace soon!

Meanwhile, see about getting a line of credit at Cummins repair and parts shop.

I got a line of credit at freightliner in the first month. They do check your personal credit for freightliner. Don't know how they'll do it at Cummins.

Don't use the credit unless you absolutely have to or just to juggle expenses.

Build your company credit and get a company credit card too, just so you'll have it for back up.

Hopefully by the end of the year, we'll have some better rates going.

So my thoughts are if you've replace most of the major components, hang in there.

Major components like Water pump, air compressor, air conditioner, steering components, leaf springs, turbo, etc.

If you've replaced these things and you've already mentioned EGR, how much is there left to go wrong.

If you get another truck, you have a black box and you don't know what you end up with. Could be worse... like injectors missing, excessive oil leak, cracked head etc.

Keep your head up and no matter what you decide remember there is no wrong answer.

It's what you feel most comfortable with. Main thing is you are thinking it through, not just flipping a coin. So whatever you decide, it's based on a theory of what you believe is to come.

So, whatever you decide, don't second guess it. It's the right move for what you are thinking is likely to occur.

Stay strong bro. By the way, you're in a good area too. If I were you I'd do trips between 150 and 200 miles for $600 and up so you're close to the house and get maximum rate per mile.

This means you get lower wear and tear, you're close to the house if something happens, which means you might make it home or the tow will be cheaper.

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