Wednesday, August 14, 2019, was an important one in America’s trucking history. On that day, a Tennessee court of appeals reversed a Madison County circuit court decision that found Navistar’s flagship engine flouted consumer protection laws.
While the jury spared the company from coughing up $31 million, Navistar has since struggled to convince truck owners not to ditch vehicles because of MaxxForce 13 engine problems. We probed and discovered many things about this engine that you should know if you already own one or plan to in the short term.
What is the MaxxForce 13 Engine?
The MaxxForce 13-liter engine is a truck engine Navistar was accused of marketing by marketing its unique EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) system certified under the EPA 2010 emissions standards. The lawsuit claimed that Navistar’s unique selling proposition is being the only heavy-duty truck manufacturer in North America to rely completely on EGR to meet EPA 2010 emissions requirements. Other manufacturers used some hybrid of EGR and selective catalytic reduction (SCR).
In any case, the big deal about this Class 8 trucker engine is that it was designed to provide heavy-duty vehicles more choices for getting up to speed, and a better way to slow down when necessary. But the real question is, “Is Maxxforce 13 a good engine?” At 430 and 450 horsepower respectively, the MaxxForce 13 models offered new realms of power, “fuel efficiency, a smooth quiet ride, and a high-strength CGI block that delivers durability and extra payload” (without the weight), according to VP Jim Hebe. Yet, things happened differently once consumers started buying trucks with the engine.
What was Wrong with the MaxxForce 13 Engine?
How did the MaxxForce 13 earn such a bad rap? It’s obvious the manufacturer never anticipated these MaxxForce 13 engine issues:
Emission system problems
Even though it’s one of the more important MaxxForce 13 engine specs, many headaches are the result of the problematic emissions system. This is a classic case of innovation gone wrong. Whereas some competitors opted to use Diesel Particulate Filtres (DPF) to capture soot particles, Navistar relied heavily on the EGR system in order to comply with the EPA 2010 standards. While aiming for compliance, however, they [un]knowingly created new problems.
The EGR system faced challenges such as:
Overheating
During operation, the EGR system may experience overloading, causing excessive build-up of heat in the engine. This may cause component failure, breakdowns, and reduced engine power.
EGR cooler problems
The EGR cooler is critical for cooling down the recirculated exhaust gases. But it can crack, leak or malfunction. These could all lead to coolant contamination and engine overheating. These issues impact engine performance by causing improper air-fuel mixtures and potential collateral damage within the engine.
In addition, the SCR systems which should lower nitrogen oxide emissions typically show injector malfunctions and urea failures. Besides decreased performance, these emission systems issues caused illuminated check engine lights and even total breakdowns for some MaxxForce 13 owners. Truck owners endure frustrating downtimes and unplanned repair costs arising from these inefficiencies.
Fuel injection challenges
MaxxForce 13 engine-powered vehicle owners have not been able to drive their trucks as much due to fuel injection problems in peace. They are known to supply adequate fuel into the combustion chamber. But, they also cause rough idling, misfires and low fuel efficiency, often leading to early collapse.
The reason why faults in injector seats or connectors cause fuel leakages is that pose safety risks in addition to being a threat to the environment, while fuel pump failures are usually associated with engine malfunctioning that requires costly maintenance.
Solving fuel injection issues and stopping expensive engine breakdowns requires that you do regular inspections as well as replacements in time. All this helps in making sure that you get the best from it.
Turbocharger failures
Turbochargers play an essential role in increasing engine power; they compress and deliver air to the combustion chamber; MaxxForce 13 engine turbocharger assembly may fall short of durability due to errors made during construction or engineering such as design failure. Lower engine output and higher fuel consumption can be experienced as well as higher exhaust temperatures due to this.
Additionally, cascade damage to other engine components is often caused by turbocharger failures, knowing about potential problems will help in understanding their early warning signs.
Besides the emissions system, MaxxForce 13 suffers much worse problems elsewhere too. These include:
Coolant leaks
Customers have notified Navistar that the cooling system needs checking, as it could result in undesired engine overheating and even total break down if immediate actions are not taken. Leaks might come from anywhere including worn out gaskets, damaged pipes or faulty water pumps.
Aftertreatment system issues
The aftertreatment system is complex and is made up of a large number of parts aimed at eliminating exhaust gases. It may not function effectively in MaxxForce 13 motor engines The malfunction might be contributed by either Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) injector, Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) or SCR system leading to loss of power and increase in emissions.
Regeneration issues
Some later models of MaxxForce 13 engines shipped with a DPF. Dense or more concentrated soot particles of DPF are incinerated or burned during the process of regeneration on it. This activity calls for very high temperatures to ensure complete combustion of these tiny particles. Thus, failed cycles may lead to filter blockages, lower engine output and subsequently less fuel consumption.
It’s important to note that these Maxxforce 13 Engine Problems may not occur in every vehicle, and many will do several hundred thousand miles without major problems. However, being aware of potential trouble spots is crucial for making informed decisions about your truck.
Solutions and Strategies for MaxxForce 13 Engine Owners and Potential Buyers
Despite a troubled history, you can own a MaxxForce 13-powered Class 8 truck and have it run optimally and prolong its life span.
Routine, rigorous maintenance is important
Follow a strict maintenance program and use high-quality coolants, filters, and lubricants. This ensures you prevent MaxxForce 13 common problems and maximize MaxxForce 13 engine life.
Be vigilant with warning signs
Always pay attention to check engine lights, unusual engine noises, or performance issues such as decreased power or increased fuel consumption. Early diagnosis by a well-trained mechanic can help to identify problems before they worsen and become expensive to fix.
Always choose the right mechanic
I only recommend finding a mechanic who has experience servicing MaxxForce engines. Such an expert will have the necessary knowledge and tools to diagnose and repair MaxxForce 13-specific problems.
Keep abreast with information from the manufacturer
Navistar regularly releases service bulletins and information about recalls. As a Navistar owner, you can learn about known problems and take proactive measures to safeguard your choice.
Owner Frustrations and Recalls
Navistar has made significant efforts to address many of the MaxxForce 13 engine’s shortcomings. Through recalls and service bulletins, much has been done by the company to ensure that customer loyalty is maintained; Despite that, however, there are no reliable long-term solutions to the engine’s host of problems. The erosion of confidence in the brand is accelerating, meaning that some people who own these vehicles have had to resort to either using different types of engines or filing lawsuits.
Customers are experiencing repair costs above average and product satisfaction margins are low as well.
Things to Understand About the Use of a MaxxForce 13 Engine Truck
Despite having a multitude of problems, the MaxxForce 13-liter engine remains a reliable workhorse that drives numerous vehicles across America and beyond. If you desire to own one, here are a few things to understand:
The model year is really essential
Previous models of the MaxxForce 13 engine making particularly those made after the year 2010 – might not have numerous emissions system challenges. Still, you must examine the precise model you wish to purchase in order to understand the likely knotty issues associated with its generation of engines.
Do a pre-purchase inspection
You must find a mechanic who is an expert in MaxxForce engines and is certified to handle the inspection first before this purchase can be made. The inspection should, therefore, encompass both diagnostic computer checking and EGR system evaluation as well as aftertreatment components evaluation.
Consider the risks and benefits
Since the MaxxForce 13 has the potential for being powerful and perhaps costing less to acquire than other engines in its class, having a complete picture of what gets into its total cost of ownership is worth considering other than just the engine’s efficiency or fuel consumption.
To prevent any problems and run a truck that can be trusted for a long time, it is necessary to know in details all typical MaxxForce 13 engine malfunctions and follow certain rules.
Final Thoughts
Navistar International’s customers continue expressing grave concerns about MaxxForce 13 engine problems, which might be catastrophic to drivers, owners, and operators if not checked. To keep the vehicle in good shape all the time, frequent preventive maintenance has to be carried out, besides maintaining vigilance
Any attempt Navistar makes to fix any problem with the MaxxForce 13 engine will assist it in luring clients back. The more likely case of you enjoying the ownership of a MaxxForce 13-liter engine would be if you took care of engine-related issues in a proper way.
