Cummins Red Top

[Oasis-3]

I am looking at a 2000 Volvo for my company, it has a Cummins N14 Red Top

435 HP 10 speed 480,000 miles on it. It seems to drive and run real nice.

Has anyone heard anything good or bad about the N14 Red Top motor?



Thanks

Cliff

 

[RedRam401]

The N14 is a great motor, I'm just not very crazy about the Volvos.

 

[acook]

Some know issues from personal experience. If the cooling system has the Texaco Extended Life (red) antifreeze the rocker housing gaskets will probably leak at some point. They will also leak with the green, but not as likely. Also around this milage they are known for headgaskets leaking. Usually after tearing down you will find low liners. Most of the time this can be fixed with shims on top of the liners. Look for a charcoal soot-like substance in the overflow tank of the cooling system. Look for oil leaks on the left side of the engine around the cam followers and the piston cooling nozzels on the right side. The last thing to look for is for oil leaking from the accessory drive seal area. Accessory drive bushings have a bad habit spinning in the front cover.

Not trying to scare you, just passing on some info on what to look for. I worked in a Cummins distributorship for 12 years and the N14 is one of the most bullit proof engines Cummins made. With proper maintence I've seen many with over a million miles. Several with 8-900,000 miles on them before first overhaul or major work. See if you can get the engine s/n have your local Cummins run a history check on the engine. I personally would not be afraid to own one. Good luck.