Truck Conversion & Toterhome Community - View Single Post - Freightliner Columbia with Mercedes Benz engine

GFUSNER · 03-04-2010, 03:43 PM

I have this combo in 2006 Optima. Basically its a Detroit series 60. Can get parts and service anywhere Freightliner (TA Truck Stops) or Detroit shops. According to a few techs I have talked to only problems are 1) if run heavy (i.e 80K ) wide open all the time will blow head gaskets, 2) coolant must be kept up to correct spec or rot problems as mentioned above, and 3) Major pain to prime after changing fuel filter. (Ask me how I know.) Virtually impossible without external pump. For Coach conversion great. I get 7-8 MPG and I am about 34K without a trailer. There are a couple of recalls out on some chassie's and the engine so check to be sure those have been done.

03-04-2010, 03:43 PM	#6
GFUSNER Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 8	I have this combo in 2006 Optima. Basically its a Detroit series 60. Can get parts and service anywhere Freightliner (TA Truck Stops) or Detroit shops. According to a few techs I have talked to only problems are 1) if run heavy (i.e 80K ) wide open all the time will blow head gaskets, 2) coolant must be kept up to correct spec or rot problems as mentioned above, and 3) Major pain to prime after changing fuel filter. (Ask me how I know.) Virtually impossible without external pump. For Coach conversion great. I get 7-8 MPG and I am about 34K without a trailer. There are a couple of recalls out on some chassie's and the engine so check to be sure those have been done.