Good or Bad Volvo wia42t with Cat 3406

[Hemmen1]

Cheap truck for sale - looks nice



1989 Volvo wia42t 550K miles single axle 9 speed small sleeper 3406 Cat



This truck would be useful to our business



www.longdistancemovingspecialist.com



It would be used occassionally and as a backup truck



any advice is appreciated -- what is good/bad for this model and year -- should I run as fast and far away as possible



Darren

 

[truckstom]

As far as the 3406 Cat goes, that's a good engine. . I've seen many go nearly a million miles... 550,000 miles seems real low milage for an "89, you sure that's right? I've got a '98 Freightliner w/ 795,000 miles... . on a Cat too,

 

[Champane Flight]

Maybe

The Volvos don't have the trade in value other heavy trucks have, although not a bad cab and frame. At 550,000 miles, the engine could make another 100,000 to 200,000 miles without inframe. However if it has been punished it is about used up at that mileage. The market for used trucks is huge right now, keep looking... .

 

[drees1]

On that CAT motor, if it is a PEEC engine, Programmable Electronic Engine Control, it will be expensive and frustrating to keep going as it gets older. The Peec engine has a round hockey puck cover on the side of the injection pump and the pump is electronically controlled by the accelerator pedal via wire. There are numerous service bullitans and upgrades for that system. If it is a mechanical engine and has a mechanical throttle linkage to the pump then it is one of the best, most reliable engines ever made. Get the engine serial number off the valve cover if the tag is still there and call any CAT dealer and ask for history. They will at least be able to tell of warranty work and service letter updates.



The Volvo part is ok, nothing wrong with them. Resale is lower, but they get the job done just fine. I can't remember if that year is new enough to have the dropped frame rails around the engine, but if it does, it makes working around the engine easier.



Single axle is harder to find and their prices are not as ridiculously low as the tandems, so if the price is right... . It would be hard to verify the miles as accurate on that old a truck.