Caterpillar C13 ACERT Engine 13.0L for Sale | OEM Used Cat ACERT Inline 6 Diesel
$12,000.00
At a Glance
- Condition: OEM used, compression tested across all 6 cylinders
- Availability: In stock, multiple year ranges available
- Shipping: Free shipping to all 50 states via crated freight, 7 to 14 business days
- All 6 cylinders compression tested, results available before you pay
- ECM configuration documented (CAT proprietary ACERT engine management)
- ACERT variant confirmed (specific Tier 4 / Stage V configuration)
- Cylinder head and liner inspection
- HPCR injector function verified
- Donor application documented (on-highway truck, construction, industrial, marine)
- 100% fitment verified before every order ships
- No core charge required
- Backed by a 15 day replacement warranty against internal defects
Description
About the Caterpillar C13 ACERT Engine 13.0L
The Caterpillar C13 ACERT Engine is a robust 13.0L inline 6-cylinder engine, renowned for its power and torque, suitable for heavy-duty on-highway trucks, construction equipment, and industrial machinery. It offers 335 to 525 horsepower and 1,350 to 1,850 lb-ft of torque. Equipped with a liquid-cooled system and high-pressure common rail (HPCR) fuel system, it ensures optimal operating temperatures, enhanced fuel efficiency, and reduced emissions. Complying with Tier 4 Final / Stage V emissions standards, the engine incorporates ACERT technology and a high-pressure common rail fuel system, optimizing fuel efficiency and performance.
Known for reliability and durability, the C13 ACERT is built with high-quality materials and undergoes rigorous Caterpillar testing. It features advanced electronic controls for smooth operation under various conditions. Maintenance is facilitated by Caterpillar’s extensive support network, authorized service centers, and readily available spare parts. Advanced diagnostics and sensors help monitor performance and identify issues, ensuring timely maintenance and minimal downtime.
Key Features of the Caterpillar C13 ACERT Engine
- Renowned for robust performance and advanced ACERT emissions technology
- Turbocharged with aftercooler system for enhanced performance and efficiency
- Electronic Control Module (ECM) for optimized engine management with CAT proprietary diagnostics
- High-Pressure Common Rail (HPCR) fuel injection technology for fuel efficiency and emissions control
- Proven reliability and durability across on-highway and off-highway applications
- High torque output for superior hauling capability up to 1,850 lb-ft
- Meets stringent Tier 4 Final and Stage V environmental standards with ACERT
- Easy maintenance with accessible engine components and CAT dealer network support
- Extensive parts availability simplifies repairs and upgrades
- Reprogrammable vehicle operating parameters through CAT ET diagnostics
ACERT Technology Explained
ACERT stands for Advanced Combustion Emission Reduction Technology. It is Caterpillar’s proprietary multi-system emissions approach that combines high-pressure common rail fuel injection, advanced air management (twin turbochargers in some variants), aftertreatment systems including DPF and SCR (where applicable), and CAT ECM controls. ACERT was Caterpillar’s path to meeting EPA Tier 4 emissions without re-architecting the base engine, which is why the C13 ACERT retains the proven C13 architecture while adding modern emissions compliance.
Signs You Need a Replacement C13 ACERT
- Loss of compression on one or more cylinders during dyno or in-frame test
- Cylinder head crack symptoms (coolant loss, white smoke, hard start)
- Excessive blowby past piston rings (sign of bore wear or ring failure)
- Connecting rod or main bearing knock under load
- Oil consumption above factory spec for the engine age
- ECM diagnostic codes pointing to internal mechanical issues
- Aftertreatment failure that has damaged the engine (DPF clog with backpressure damage, etc.)
- Donor truck or equipment has been totaled or sold for parts and the engine is being moved to a new chassis
- Repower of a Class 8 truck, construction excavator, generator, or marine vessel that originally received its C13 ACERT from new
Known Cat C13 ACERT Issues We Inspect Before Shipping
- Cylinder head cracks: A documented C-series weakness similar to the older 3406 family. We pressure test or visually inspect heads before shipping.
- HPCR injector wear: Common rail injectors have a service-replace nature. We note injector functionality where inspectable.
- Aftertreatment system condition: DPF, DOC, and SCR (where applicable) condition documented on every unit.
- EGR cooler integrity: Inspected for cracks and coolant ingress to combustion chamber.
- Liner and piston inspection through bore where accessible.
- CAT ECM functionality verified before shipping.
What Ships and What Does Not
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| INCLUDED | Long block: block, crankshaft, pistons, connecting rods, camshaft, cylinder head, valve train, oil pan, front timing cover, gear train, HPCR fuel pump and injectors (typical), valve covers. |
| NOT INCLUDED | Turbocharger (sold separately when condition warrants), CAT ECM (sold separately, application-matched), wiring harness, charge air cooler, exhaust manifold and complete aftertreatment (DPF, DOC, SCR), starter, alternator, A/C compressor, water pump (typical), accessory drive bracketry, intake manifold (varies). |
| Fluids | Drained before shipping. Refill with 15W-40 CK-4 spec heavy-duty diesel motor oil. |
| Core Note | No core charge. You are not required to return your old engine. |
Vehicle Compatibility
The Caterpillar C13 ACERT is used in:
| Vehicle | Compatibility |
|---|---|
| Heavy-duty Class 8 On-Highway Trucks | Kenworth W900, T800, T660, T680 with CAT option, Peterbilt 379, 389, 386, 387 with CAT option, Freightliner Classic and Coronado with CAT option, International with CAT option, Western Star with CAT option |
| Construction Equipment | Caterpillar excavators, loaders, dump trucks, motor graders (varies by model and year) |
| Industrial Generators | CAT XQ and XQP generator sets, standby and prime power units |
| Marine Vessels | Boats, ferries, small ships, propulsion and auxiliary power |
| Agricultural Equipment | Large tractors, harvesters (CAT and OEM applications) |
| Mining Equipment | Haul trucks, drilling rigs, crushers (varies) |
Inspection Workflow
Every used Cat C13 ACERT we ship goes through this process:
- Compression test across all 6 cylinders, pressure per cylinder recorded
- Cylinder head inspected for cracks (the most common C-series failure mode)
- HPCR fuel system function verified
- Aftertreatment condition documented (DPF, DOC, SCR where applicable)
- EGR cooler integrity assessed
- Liner and piston condition inspected through bore
- CAT ECM tier configuration documented (Tier 3, Tier 4 Interim, Tier 4 Final)
- Donor application photographed and documented
- Approximate hours / mileage documented when verifiable
Where donor mileage or hours are verified, they are shared. Where not confirmable, we disclose openly before payment.
Why Buy From Part Nests
- All 6 cylinders compression tested, results before you pay
- Cylinder head crack inspection (the leading C-series failure point)
- HPCR fuel system function documented
- ACERT tier configuration documented for ECM matching
- Aftertreatment condition documented
- Donor application documented
- Free crated freight to all 50 states, no hidden fees
- No core charge, keep your old engine
- 15 day replacement warranty on internal defects
- Call (855) 634-4447 to confirm ACERT tier configuration (Tier 3, Tier 4 Interim, Tier 4 Final, Stage V), donor application, and aftertreatment compatibility before ordering
15 Day Replacement Warranty
Every used Caterpillar C13 ACERT engine purchased through Part Nests carries a 15 day replacement warranty starting on the delivery date.
What Is Covered
- Internal defects already present when the engine arrives
- Compression failures on any of the 6 cylinders beyond what was disclosed
- Cylinder head crack failures within 15 days from installation (where head was disclosed as crack-free at shipping)
- HPCR fuel system failures within 15 days from installation
- EGR cooler, liner, or bearing failures within 15 days from installation
- Incorrect ACERT tier configuration shipped due to an error on our end
What Is Not Covered
- Damage caused during installation
- Damage from operating without proper cooling system service at install
- Damage from incorrect ECM calibration or fuel mapping
- Damage from aftertreatment failure (DPF clog with backpressure damage) when aftertreatment was not refreshed at install
- Damage from incorrect SCR fluid or contaminated diesel fuel
- External components (turbocharger, CAT ECM, wiring harness, charge air cooler, exhaust manifold, complete aftertreatment, starter, alternator, water pump) unless itemized
- Labor expenses of any kind
To start a warranty claim, reach us within 15 days of delivery at (855) 634-4447.
- All 6 Cylinders Tested: Compression results documented before payment
- Cylinder Head Crack Inspection: The leading C-series failure point assessed
- HPCR Fuel System Verified: High-pressure common rail function tested
- ACERT Tier Configuration: Documented for ECM matching
- Aftertreatment Condition: DPF, DOC, SCR documented where applicable
- 15 Day Replacement Cover: Internal defects protected from delivery onward
Additional information
| engine-family | Caterpillar C-Series, ACERT |
|---|---|
| type | Diesel Engine, Heavy-Duty |
| displacement | 13.0 liters |
| configuration | Inline 6-cylinder |
| aspiration | Turbocharged with aftercooler |
| cooling-system | Water-cooled |
| fuel-system | High-Pressure Common Rail (HPCR) |
Advanced Combustion Emission Reduction Technology. ACERT is Caterpillar's proprietary multi-system emissions approach that combines high-pressure common rail (HPCR) fuel injection, advanced air management (twin turbochargers in some variants), aftertreatment systems including DPF and SCR where applicable, and CAT ECM controls. ACERT was Caterpillar's path to meeting EPA Tier 4 emissions without re-architecting the base engine. The C13 ACERT retains the proven C13 architecture while adding the emissions compliance that 2002 onward EPA standards required.
Displacement, fuel system, and emissions generation. The C13 ACERT 13.0L (sold on this page) is the modern ACERT generation with high-pressure common rail (HPCR) fuel injection, Tier 4 Final / Stage V emissions compliance, and DPF / SCR aftertreatment. The older C13 12.5L (the C12 successor before ACERT) is a 12.5L displacement variant with electronic unit injectors (EUI) and simpler emissions equipment. The two engines share the C13 base architecture but differ in displacement, fuel system, and emissions configuration. We sell both; confirm which generation matches your application before ordering.
High-Pressure Common Rail. HPCR is a modern diesel fuel injection technology where a single high-pressure fuel rail supplies all cylinders via electronically-controlled injectors. The C13 ACERT uses HPCR for finer fuel control compared to electronic unit injectors (EUI), enabling pilot injection, multiple injection events per combustion cycle, and tighter emissions control. HPCR injectors are generally more reliable than mechanical or EUI injectors but are sensitive to fuel cleanliness; clean fuel filters and water separators are essential.
Particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) reduction to specified levels. Tier 4 Final is the US EPA standard for non-road and on-highway diesel engines that requires very low PM and NOx output. Stage V is the equivalent European Union standard with similar requirements. Compliance requires DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) for PM control, SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) using DEF (diesel exhaust fluid) for NOx control, and EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) for NOx control. The C13 ACERT meets these standards through its full aftertreatment system. If your application is for a Tier 4 Final or Stage V regulated jurisdiction, you need the matching aftertreatment system at install.
Mechanically yes but the ECM and aftertreatment need to match. The C13 ACERT was produced across multiple emissions tiers (Tier 3, Tier 4 Interim, Tier 4 Final). The base engine is similar across tiers, but the ECM calibration, aftertreatment system, and emissions equipment differ. If you are repowering a Tier 3 truck, source the matching Tier 3 calibration ECM and the simpler Tier 3 aftertreatment. We document tier configuration on every order so you can match accordingly.
Million-plus hours / miles in commercial service with proper maintenance. The C13 ACERT was designed for the same long service intervals as the older mechanical C-series engines. Regular oil and filter service (every 250 to 500 hours depending on application), DPF regeneration management, DEF replenishment, and fuel filter changes are the primary maintenance items. Most aged C13 cores have logged 700,000-plus miles, which is normal for an engine designed for million-mile service.
Multiple Class 8 truck manufacturers offered CAT as an engine option. Kenworth W900, T800, T660, T680; Peterbilt 379, 389, 386, 387; Freightliner Classic and Coronado; International and Western Star - all offered CAT-equipped variants. The C13 also powers Caterpillar construction equipment (excavators, loaders, dump trucks, motor graders), CAT XQ and XQP generator sets, marine vessels, agricultural equipment, and mining equipment. Donor application is documented on every order so you can match to your truck or equipment.
No. There is no core return required.
6 reviews for Caterpillar C13 ACERT Engine 13.0L for Sale | OEM Used Cat ACERT Inline 6 Diesel
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Jorge T. –
Got a C13 ACERT 13.0L for a Tier 4 Final compliant Freightliner Coronado repower. ACERT tier configuration documented up front, all 6 cylinders compression tested, cylinder head crack inspection clean, HPCR fuel system function verified. Drop-in replacement with the matching aftertreatment and Tier 4 ECM. Truck back on the road with emissions compliance intact.
Maria L. –
Sourced a C13 ACERT for a Kenworth T680 fleet repower. Tier 4 Final variant confirmed, donor application documented from a similar T680 donor with verifiable hours. Honest pre-purchase information about the ACERT vs older C13 12.5L distinction (different fuel system, different emissions tier). Cylinder head pressure test results disclosed before payment.