General Discussion

[8kart]

Is 185000 miles too soon for valves to drop?. 2003 3126e 300hp

[gio9470]

We recently had a c7 that overheated and dropped a valve.  Destroyed the entire engine.  Only had 50,000 miles. Still in shop waiting for an engine.  The fan belt broke and the driver did not catch it soon enough.

[chrestenson6]

Valves should never drop. Caused by failure elsewhere

[sloez]

I have a 2005 c7 350hp in a motorhome with 40,234 miles. Dropped a valve/rod into the cylinder.  The mech says it cracked the block, but haven't confirmed it yet...probably monday.  I wouldn't think this is normal, but do not have a reference.  Does anyone have any information on an issue like this? It would be helpful.

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gio9470 wrote:

We recently had a c7 that overheated and dropped a valve.  Destroyed the entire engine.  Only had 50,000 miles. Still in shop waiting for an engine.  The fan belt broke and the driver did not catch it soon enough.

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[sloez]

Just an update.  Real disappointed in the lack of Caterpillar to at least address this unfortunate issue.  All they did was point fingers away from themselves.  "Residual damage" from a non-authorized CAT shop repair??? Waiting for a more mature response...stay tuned.