used CAT truck engines for sale
Used Caterpillar Truck Engines
Send us your CAT engine serial number and arrangement number, and we search supplier sources nationwide for a used on-highway truck engine built to match. Availability, condition and freight vary by unit and are confirmed on your quote.
Caterpillar models
Used Caterpillar engines by model
01CAT on-highway engines: a closed chapter
Caterpillar built heavy-duty on-highway truck engines for decades, then stopped making engines for the North American highway truck market after the 2010 emissions standards took effect. The last CAT truck engines were certified to 2007 standards, which is why there is no CAT equivalent of an SCR-equipped 2010 engine in a Peterbilt or Kenworth.
That history matters when you replace a CAT engine. Every on-highway CAT truck engine you will find is from 2010 or earlier, and many are from the 1990s and early 2000s. Matching the exact emissions era and electronic configuration is essential, because the truck was built around that specific engine.
This page covers CAT engines used in highway trucks only. Engines built for construction, industrial or marine equipment use different arrangements and are not covered here.
02Serial number prefixes
A CAT engine serial number starts with a three-character prefix followed by a unit number. The prefix identifies the engine model and build family. For example, a C15 from the pre-ACERT era carries a different prefix than a twin-turbo ACERT C15 or a 2007 C15, even though all three are called C15.
Because the prefix changes with design generations, it is one of the most useful pieces of information you can give us. It tells us whether you have a 3406E, an early C15, an ACERT engine or a 2007-emissions engine, and it narrows down the fuel system, turbo setup and electronics.
The serial number appears on the engine information plate and is also stamped into the block. If the plate is gone, a CAT dealer can often read the serial number from the ECM with CAT diagnostic software.
03Arrangement numbers explained
The arrangement number, sometimes written as the Arr. No., is printed on the same information plate as the serial number. It defines the complete build of that engine: the specific parts list for that installation, including items like the oil pan, front housing, accessory drives and other application-specific components.
Two C15 engines with the same serial prefix can have different arrangement numbers because they were built for different truck makes or specs. A matching arrangement means the engine was built with the same parts list as yours. A different arrangement does not rule an engine out, but it means certain parts may need to be transferred from your old engine.
When you call, read us the full serial number and the arrangement number exactly as they appear. A photo of the information plate is even better.
- Serial number with three-character prefix
- Arrangement number from the same plate
- Truck VIN, make, model and year
- Rating in horsepower and torque if known
043406E, C12, C13 and C15 generations
The 3406E was the electronically controlled version of the long-running 3406 family and powered many Class 8 trucks in the 1990s. The C15 succeeded it, and both are roughly 15-liter class engines. The C12 is a 12-liter engine used in lighter linehaul and regional trucks, and the C13 is the later 12-to-13-liter engine that replaced it in the ACERT era.
Around the 2003 to 2004 emissions change, CAT introduced ACERT technology instead of the cooled EGR approach other engine makers used. ACERT C13 and C15 engines use different turbocharging, valve actuation and electronics than earlier engines. For 2007, CAT added a diesel particulate filter and a clean gas induction system to its truck engines.
Those changes mean a pre-ACERT C15, an ACERT C15 and a 2007 C15 are separate replacement jobs. The serial prefix and the emissions label on the engine identify which one you have.
- 3406E: electronic 3406, common in 1990s trucks
- C12: 12-liter class, pre-ACERT era
- C15 and C13 ACERT: introduced around the 2004 emissions change
- 2007 C13 and C15: add DPF and clean gas induction
05Horsepower and electronic ratings
CAT truck engines were offered in a wide range of ratings. The C15 and 3406E were sold from the mid-400 horsepower range up to around 600 horsepower and beyond in some versions, while the C12 and C13 were typically rated lower. Many CAT engines also supported multi-torque ratings that change torque output by gear.
Ratings are stored in the ECM and tied to a personality module or software file. A used engine may arrive with a different rating than yours. Changing it requires dealer software and must stay within what the hardware, transmission and emissions certification allow.
If your truck has an Eaton or other transmission with an input torque limit, tell us the model, because it limits which ratings make sense for a replacement.
06What to tell us when you call
Give us the serial number, arrangement number, truck VIN and the emissions year from the engine label. Let us know if you need a complete engine, long block or short block, and which parts you are reusing, such as the turbo, ECM, air compressor or engine brake.
Older CAT engines often come with modifications from years of service. If your truck has an aftermarket rating, a non-stock turbo or other changes, mention it so we compare against what is actually installed rather than the original build sheet.
Commercial-Engines.com is an independent sourcing company and is not affiliated with Caterpillar Inc. CAT and model designations are used only to identify engines.
Applications
Trucks commonly running Caterpillar engines
Factory engine options changed by model year. Always confirm against your engine serial number and VIN.
- The C15 and 3406E were widely used in Peterbilt 379 and 378 and Kenworth W900 and T800 trucks, but arrangement numbers differ by truck make and spec, so engine-mounted parts may need to transfer.
- Freightliner Classic, FLD, Columbia and Century Class trucks were offered with CAT engines in many years; check the arrangement number, because Freightliner installations differ from Peterbilt and Kenworth installations.
- International 9900i and some other International highway models used CAT engines in certain years, with harness and accessory differences that should be checked against the VIN.
- The C12 and C13 appear in regional and lighter linehaul trucks from several makers; confirm the emissions era before matching, since ACERT and 2007 engines differ significantly.
FAQ
Caterpillar engine questions
Does Caterpillar still make truck engines?
Not for North American highway trucks. CAT stopped building on-highway truck engines for that market after the 2010 emissions standards took effect, so CAT truck engines available today are used engines from 2010 and earlier.
Where is the serial number on a CAT truck engine?
It is printed on the engine information plate along with the arrangement number, and it is stamped into the block. A CAT dealer can often read it from the ECM if the plate is missing.
What is a CAT arrangement number?
It is the number that defines the full parts list an engine was built with for a specific installation. Matching it is the most reliable way to get an engine that bolts in with the same parts as yours.
Is an ACERT C15 the same as an older C15?
No. ACERT engines introduced around the 2004 emissions change use different turbocharging, valve actuation and electronics. The serial number prefix tells us which version you have.
Can I replace a 3406E with a C15?
Sometimes, but it typically involves ECM, harness and mounting differences and must be checked for emissions compliance. Most owners replace a 3406E with another 3406E of a similar configuration.
Can a CAT engine's horsepower rating be changed?
Ratings are set in the ECM and can sometimes be changed with dealer software, within the limits of the hardware, transmission and emissions certification. Tell us your target rating and we will factor it into the search.
Do you handle CAT construction or industrial engines?
This page covers on-highway truck engines only. Industrial and equipment engines use different arrangements and are not covered here.
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Commercial-Engines.com is an independent supplier of used commercial truck engines and transmissions. Manufacturer names, model names and part numbers are used for identification only and do not imply affiliation with, or endorsement by, any manufacturer. Read the full disclaimer.