used Detroit Diesel engines for sale
Used Detroit Diesel Truck Engines
Give us your Detroit engine serial number, emissions year and truck VIN, and we search supplier sources nationwide for a used DD15, DD13, DD16 or Series 60 built to match. Availability, condition and freight vary by unit and are confirmed on your quote.
Detroit Diesel models
Used Detroit Diesel engines by model
01DD15, DD13, DD16 and Series 60 at a glance
The Series 60 is the older Detroit inline six that powered a large share of Class 8 trucks from the late 1980s until the DD platform took over around the end of the 2000s. It was built in several displacements, with the 12.7-liter and 14-liter versions being the most common in highway trucks.
The DD15 (about 14.8 liters) is the engine that replaced the Series 60 in heavy linehaul. The DD13 (about 12.8 liters) is the lighter option common in regional, vocational and weight-sensitive linehaul trucks. The DD16 (about 15.6 liters) is the high-output version aimed at heavy-haul and high-torque work. All three share design concepts but differ in block, crank, turbo and calibration details.
Because they share a family look, the DD13, DD15 and DD16 are easy to mix up from a photo. The engine serial number and the emissions label are what tell them apart reliably.
02Finding the engine serial number
On DD-platform engines, the serial number is stamped on the cylinder block and repeated on the engine's emissions label. On the Series 60, the serial number is stamped on the block and also printed on the valve cover emissions label. Detroit serial numbers begin with a model code that identifies the engine family, followed by the unit number.
If the label is painted over or missing, the serial number can usually be read from the engine control module with Detroit diagnostic software, and it may also be listed on the truck's build sheet. A Freightliner or Western Star dealer can often pull the original engine specification from the VIN.
Send us a clear photo of the stamped serial number and the emissions label. Those two pieces of information let us confirm the model, emissions year and certification family before we search.
- Engine serial number from block or label
- Emissions label showing model year and family
- Truck VIN
- Horsepower and torque rating if known
03Emissions generations: EPA07, EPA10, GHG14 and GHG17
Detroit itself refers to its engine generations by emissions era, and those names are useful when you shop. EPA07 engines added a diesel particulate filter. EPA10 engines added SCR with DEF. GHG14 and GHG17 engines were updated for the federal greenhouse-gas rules, with changes to the engine, software and, in some cases, aftertreatment packaging.
Each generation uses its own ECM software and often its own sensors, harness connectors and aftertreatment communication. A GHG17 DD15 is not the same replacement as an EPA10 DD15, even if the two engines look nearly identical. The certification on the original engine label is what a replacement should match.
Series 60 engines span several eras too, from pre-EGR versions through EGR engines and the final 2007 DPF-equipped versions. DDEC electronic control versions changed along the way, and the ECM generation has to suit the truck's wiring.
- EPA07: diesel particulate filter
- EPA10: adds SCR and DEF
- GHG14: greenhouse-gas update to the 2010 platform
- GHG17: further greenhouse-gas update
04Horsepower and torque differences
The DD13 is typically rated in the upper 300s to upper 400s horsepower range, the DD15 in roughly the 400 to 500-plus range, and the DD16 at the top of the line with the highest torque. Exact ratings depend on the calibration and the year, and some ratings are only available with specific transmissions.
The Detroit DT12 automated transmission and Detroit axles were often spec'd together with DD engines as an integrated powertrain. If your truck has a DT12, the replacement engine's software and the transmission controller need to communicate properly, so tell us the transmission model when you request a quote.
Series 60 ratings vary with displacement. A 12.7-liter and a 14-liter Series 60 are not interchangeable at the same ratings, and their cooling and fuel components can differ.
05Freightliner and Western Star application notes
Most DD-platform engines in the field sit in Freightliner Cascadia, Columbia, Coronado and Century Class trucks and Western Star 4900, 5700XE, 49X and 57X models. Both truck makers are part of the same corporate family as Detroit, but that does not mean every DD engine fits every Freightliner or Western Star.
Engine-mounted parts such as the air compressor, power steering pump, fan drive, exhaust outlet and engine brake differ by truck model and year. The engine harness and the connection to the chassis harness also change between generations. A used engine from a Cascadia may need parts swapped to fit a Coronado or a Western Star, and vice versa.
Series 60 engines were installed in a wider range of trucks, including Peterbilt, Kenworth, International, Mack, Sterling and Volvo models in some years, which makes the original truck's configuration even more important when matching one.
06What to tell us when you call
Start with the engine serial number, the emissions label and the truck VIN. Let us know whether you need a complete engine or a long block, and which components you plan to reuse from your current engine, such as the turbo, EGR cooler, aftertreatment and accessories.
If you know the failure, say so. A DD15 with a failed EGR cooler, a Series 60 with a dropped valve and a DD13 with a cracked block point to different decisions about what can be reused. Our staff will search supplier sources nationwide and confirm the specifics of any engine offered on your written quote.
Commercial-Engines.com is independent and is not affiliated with Detroit Diesel, Daimler Truck, Freightliner or Western Star. Brand and model names are used only to identify engines.
Applications
Trucks commonly running Detroit Diesel engines
Factory engine options changed by model year. Always confirm against your engine serial number and VIN.
- The DD15 is common in Freightliner Cascadia and Coronado and Western Star 4900, 5700XE and 49X trucks, but accessory mounting, exhaust routing and harness generation vary by model year and must be matched.
- The DD13 appears in Freightliner Cascadia regional and vocational configurations and some Western Star models, and is sometimes confused with the DD15 because of their similar appearance; confirm by serial number.
- The DD16 is typically found in heavy-haul Western Star and Freightliner trucks and is not a direct substitute for a DD15 without checking cooling, transmission and calibration requirements.
- The Series 60 was installed across Freightliner, Western Star, Peterbilt, Kenworth, International and other Class 8 makes, and engine-mounted parts differ by truck brand, displacement and DDEC version.
FAQ
Detroit Diesel engine questions
How do I tell a DD13 from a DD15?
They look similar, so go by the serial number and emissions label rather than appearance. The label and the model code at the start of the serial number identify the engine family. If the label is unreadable, a dealer can read engine information from the ECM.
What does GHG17 mean on a Detroit engine?
GHG17 refers to the generation of Detroit engines updated to meet the 2017 federal greenhouse-gas standards. It is different from the earlier GHG14 and EPA10 generations in software and some hardware, so a replacement should match the generation on your engine label.
Can I replace a Series 60 with a DD15?
It is possible in some cases but it is a major conversion involving the ECM, harness, cooling, exhaust and emissions equipment, and it may raise compliance issues. Most owners replace a Series 60 with another Series 60 of the same displacement and era.
Will any DD15 fit my Freightliner Cascadia?
No. DD15 engines differ by emissions generation, harness, accessories and calibration, and Cascadias changed significantly over the years. We match by engine serial number, emissions year and truck VIN to find a compatible unit.
Does it matter if my truck has a DT12 transmission?
Yes. The DT12 communicates with the engine controls, so the replacement engine's software generation needs to work with it. Tell us the transmission model when you request a quote.
Is the 12.7-liter Series 60 the same as the 14-liter?
No. They share a basic design but differ in internal parts, ratings and some external components. Your serial number identifies which displacement you have.
Are you a Detroit Diesel dealer?
No. Commercial-Engines.com is an independent sourcing company and is not affiliated with Detroit Diesel or Daimler Truck. We search supplier sources nationwide for used engines that match your configuration.
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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.