Tech Tips: Rebuilding Your Cummins ISX and N14 Engines

Both the ISX and N14 are some of the most popular engines ever built by Caterpillar. Come to think about it, they have become extremely popular in a wide array of applications over the years. Regardless of the type, if you put enough miles on them, there will come a time when a rebuild will become necessary. 

This is where we come in. Highway & Heavy Parts is dedicated to helping you not only understand these extremely popular diesel engines, but also provide you with critical information, tips, and tricks when it comes time to tear them all down.

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N14 Tips

Although the N14 has been out of production for quite some time, many of them are still in service to this very day. It is a testament to how good Cummins engines were and still are. The standard, an inframe N14 rebuild kit is similar to most others out there. While everything is exposed, giving the camshaft a quick once over for signs of unusual wear and tear would be highly beneficial at this stage. 

As usual, start by draining the fluids like the oil and coolant. Removing the oil pan will make everything much easier and allows you to check the bottom end for any signs of damage. Want to go the extra step? Have a closer look at the oil and check for any metal particles in the bottom of the pan. 

Our typical rebuilt kits for the N14 engine do not include camshafts. But again, a simple visual inspection could save you thousands in repairs and countless hours of downtime. If something looks out of the ordinary, now would be the time to replace them.

 

ISX Tips

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Unusual Vibrations

The classic N14 did not involve removing the camshaft as part of the rebuild process. However, the exact opposite is true for the Cummins ISX. Once out, closely inspecting them for signs of wear is highly recommended. Scoring, excessive temperatures uneven lobe wear can all indicate major problems.

Vibrations can happen due to a variety of reasons including worn camshafts, damaged pistons, and improperly balanced crankshafts. Depending on the application, some ISX engines will have a long oil pickup tube leading to the oil pan. As the engine operates, the tube will vibrate and create a harmonic imbalance. Over time, as the vibration increases, the O-ring of the pickup tube will become worn can cause potential oil leaks. 

As a general rule of thumb, any change in tone, pitch, vibration, or noise should be closely monitored and inspected as it could be a sign of major trouble. 

 

Cleanliness

Cleanliness is next to godliness, right? When rebuilding an engine, keeping your work area as well as the engine itself clean is imperative? This statement is especially true for the ISX engine. As diesel engines evolve, they get more complicated and tolerances get increasingly smaller. Something as a simple grain of sand could end up causing havoc to ISX engines, whereas the classic N14 could have easily endured it without so much as a hiccup. 

For good practice, make sure that all oil passages are plugged off when rebuilding your Cummins engine. Pay close attention to small details such as these will ensure that no foreign matter gets into your engine when it comes time to put everything back together. 

 

General Checks

No matter why you’ve decided on an engine rebuild, checking other critical engine components while everything is opened is ideal. Rocker arm bushing wear, for example, can be easily checked with the valve cover off. If any copper shows through, it may be time for a new set. 

Everything that comes off should be scrutinized with great care. You do not want to put everything back together only to find a new problem that makes itself aware shortly after. Spending a few extra minutes now can help prevent several headaches and lost time in the future.

 

Pre-225 Engines (With Injector Cams)

One of the best things to do after rebuilding a pre-225 engine is to run it for about 5-10 minutes. After the initial startup, given that everything went to plan, a second injector setting and adjustment is recommended. This can be done with the engine running by helping it adjust to a normal travel pattern.

We are not saying that this procedure will stop potential issues from appearing in the future, but it can help greatly reduce the chance. It is especially true on the N14 simply because of the valve train complexity.

 

Final Words

Cummins has been a leading manufacturer of diesel engines for years. But wear and tear will eventually take a toll on them and a complete inframe rebuild will be the only option. Our wide selection of N14 and ISX rebuild kits will get you back up and running in no time. 

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Rebuild Kit Resources

Related Articles:

CUMMINS ISX REBUILD KITS FROM HHP

DIESEL ENGINE REBUILD KITS: BUYER'S GUIDE

WHEN DOES YOUR CUMMINS N14 NEED A REBUILD?

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