mack e7

[ampm870]

Whats the reliability of these engines (mack e7 350)? Good points, bad points? Also what is a camel back suspension?

[RoadHugger]

MACK had some issues with the CAMS failing in the E7 350/380 HP engines , no real warning the just FAIL some with only a few 100,000 miles on them. The pull decent and get decent fuel mileage if the DRIVER drives it like MACK they like a bit different RPM range.

CAMEL BACK is MACKS version of SPRING RIDE and the way its setup looks like a CAMELS hump. Its not bad but AIR RIDE would be nicer.

[Kranky]

Whats the reliability of these engines (mack e7 350)? Good points, bad points? Also what is a camel back suspension?

With the Mack E7, it is very important to check the PH level in the coolant frequently.

If the PH is allowed to go out of spec, cylinder liner cavitation and eventual cylinder liner perforation will result.

When a cylinder liner(or liners) perforates, the coolant will leak into the cylinder(s), and MAJOR engine damage and complete engine failure will follow.

Your Mack dealer sells test sticks that you dip into the coolant, and the pads on the test stick change color to indicate the PH level.

Regular replacement of the coolant conditioner (water filter) will usually keep PH levels correct, but there is also an additive which can be added to the coolant in the radiator to adjust PH level if it gets too far off.

Other than that one little quirk, the Mack E7 was one heck of an engine.

The Mack camelback suspension, IMHO is the best tandem axle suspension ever made, for dump truck & heavy haul, however I would not recommend it for OTR as it is heavier and rougher riding than air ride.

[ampm870]

What years were they having the camshaft failures? I am looking at an 99 with a little over 300k on it.

[Flatbed]

Cam failures I heard about where 1998 to 2000 , and not all E7's have the water filter ( referring to the 1998 to 2000 versions ) , the TEST sticks are readily available and are cheap in price.

[dl]

The water filter is an add on from most parts houses and well worthwhile for a truck that you want to run to over ten years without a set of liners.

If nothing else put it in the heater line and turn the water on a couple days a week in the summer

I like A/C so I turn the heat off with the valves when not needed so the A/C generally works better with no hot core in the housing but sometimes the filter is in the same line with the heater core so I pick the coolest times to turn the filter into the circulation.

Last time I had the occasion the head to hold the filter was $30 and the last filter was $15, add some brackets, bolts and nipples, possibly a little hose.

dl

[chris142]

I drove a 1994 Ch612 with a 350hp E-7 back in 1998. Had 400K on it. Nice truck although it did look funny. Couldn't hold up to the 330hp M-11 Cummins on the hills.

[Kranky]

not all E7's have the water filter

Actually, all E7 Mack engines were factory equipped with a water filter, it was attached to the thermostat housing.

What you're probably referring to is the E tech engines that were produced by Mack from about 1997 to 2002. The E tech was similar to the E7, the main difference was that instead of a pump/line/nozzle injection system, it had individual electronically controlled unit injection pumps (1 for each cylinder).

The E tech did not have a water filter, and Mack required the chemicals to be added to the coolant to keep the PH correct.

I've never run across an E tech with an aftermarket add on water filter, but it does sound like a good idea, easier than dumping that stuff in the radiator.

With the advent of the new EPA regulations in 2002, the E tech was discontinued, replaced by the Mack ASET engines with EGR.

[Flatbed]

I was referring to the 1998 to 2000 versions about not having the water filter.

[RoadHugger]

PH levels vart as well if you use LONG LIFE coolant