Caterpilla Engine Question?

[GalaxyGirl]

Hello gals and guys,

I have a few questions about Cat engines if anyone has any experience with these engines and would like to chime in.

How many hours would you say until an overhaul is needed?

I've heard many a time that DD run forever if cared for, is this the same for Cats?

Why does everyone say that Cats are top shelf?

What exactly is done during an overhaul? How much do they cost roughly?

[scoobert]

i am a diesel mechanic, but need a ton more information.
model would be a good start, otherwise an overhaul can run form $8000 for an inline 6 to $250,000 for the V12 from a dozer.

[ranger58sb]

Cats in general are good and will run forever if well cared for, too... although they've had a (very few) not so good. Would need model info.

Detroits are 2-stroke, so potentially a little slobbery (a technical term)...

-Chris

[Sailmonkey]

On a commercial fishing vessel Cats are regularly seen with 15000-20000 hours before an overhaul.
That being said, commercial engines are de-rated in both hp and rotational speed from their pleasure craft rated brethren. What I'm trying to say is a pleasure craft operated in a manner that keeps the engines operating under less stress than full throttle all the time will last longer. In essence the answer is it depends.
Cats vs Detroits. Cars are 4 stroke, Detroits are usually thought if a 2 stroke (with the MTU exception and newer models). A 4 stroke will be both quieter and more efficient in the size range your looking at, 2 strokes can produce more power from a smaller engine, sometimes.

[GalaxyGirl]

Originally Posted by scoobert

i am a diesel mechanic, but need a ton more information.
model would be a good start, otherwise an overhaul can run form $8000 for an inline 6 to $250,000 for the V12 from a dozer.

Caterpillar model 3406, six cylinder

[Delfin]

Originally Posted by GalaxyGirl

Caterpillar model 3406, six cylinder

Hours?

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by GalaxyGirl

Caterpillar model 3406, six cylinder

Very common engine with some known issues. Used in f650, fl60 trucks. Its a love hate engine. Google "3406 common issues"

[Delfin]

Originally Posted by scoobert

Very common engine with some known issues. Used in f650, fl60 trucks. Its a love hate engine. Google "3406 common issues"

Scoobert, both the 3306 and 3406 are not the best truck engines. They don't seem to like the variable loading. However, in genset or marine applications where they run at a more or less constant loading 90% of the time, they can go 50,000 hours. IMHO, this makes them one of the best trawler engines out there, but then I would think so. I have a 3306.

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by Delfin

Scoobert, both the 3306 and 3406 are not the best truck engines. They don't seem to like the variable loading. However, in genset or marine applications where they run at a more or less constant loading 90% of the time, they can go 50,000 hours. IMHO, this makes them one of the best trawler engines out there, but then I would think so. I have a 3306.

:P as i said, love-hate. Your on the love side. Personally i would have a cummins. But i am a cummins fan boy. I am sure the engine will be fine as long as you get lucky and get a good one. Rebuild will cost 8-12,000.

[GalaxyGirl]

Originally Posted by Delfin

Hours?

2000 hours

[GalaxyGirl]

Originally Posted by Delfin

Scoobert, both the 3306 and 3406 are not the best truck engines. They don't seem to like the variable loading. However, in genset or marine applications where they run at a more or less constant loading 90% of the time, they can go 50,000 hours. IMHO, this makes them one of the best trawler engines out there, but then I would think so. I have a 3306.

Sorry to go off topic.

Delfin, did you recently add an avatar pic? I'm very surprised that I havn't noticed your boat before.

Awesome! Seems a lot like what I have been heading toward. Is it steel or wood? Actually, it reminds me of that wood Malahide I that I really liked.

[Delfin]

Originally Posted by GalaxyGirl

Sorry to go off topic.

Delfin, did you recently add an avatar pic? I'm very surprised that I havn't noticed your boat before.

Awesome! Seems a lot like what I have been heading toward. Is it steel or wood? Actually, it reminds me of that wood Malahide I that I really liked.

2000 hours would the Dixon 63 on Yachtworld, I assume. While Scoobert is correct that there are mixed feelings on the CAT 3406, I have spoken with the original designers of the engine, who confessed they really built it for the specific purpose of powering gensets and being able to tolerate low power loads for long periods of time. This was because the engine was developed for the North Slope pipeline project, where equipment was never turned off for months at a time and had to be able to coast along without getting completely gummed up. When put in a truck it could develop issues, and in some dozers depending on on the transmission (I gather). In a genset, they routinely go 35,000 to up to 60,000 hours, which is a couple of lifetimes for most trawler owners whose use mimics that of a genset. At least that's what I was told, and this was confirmed by our local IH dealer we bought a lot of trucks from. This is kind of similar to the Lehman 135 that was a complete flop as a truck engine, but is a standard in many cruising boats. Different loading makes a big difference in longevity.

Delfin is steel, and her website has a fair amount of information on her and other Romsdals, which are cousins to the Malahide.

[Crimea Cruiser]

Personally I like the Magnetohydrodynamic Drive, silent and undetectable!!

Oh! You meant the other type of Caterpillar.

[bobconnie]

GG, Those Cat engines have been in PNW fishing boats for a long time, and have proven to be very long running engines. Cat also has a pretty fair parts program world wide! It helps if ya really maintain them with good oil and filters. Most well bilt boats of the type your looking for, have hands off oil changeing systems bilt in to there engine room, which helps out a big bunch for someone like yourself. Except for the smaller V-8 "3208 " Cat engines, most of the Marine Cat engines have very long life historys. Just an old diesel mechanics 2 cents

[GalaxyGirl]

Originally Posted by bobconnie

GG, Those Cat engines have been in PNW fishing boats for a long time, and have proven to be very long running engines. Cat also has a pretty fair parts program world wide! It helps if ya really maintain them with good oil and filters. Most well bilt boats of the type your looking for, have hands off oil changeing systems bilt in to there engine room, which helps out a big bunch for someone like yourself. Except for the smaller V-8 "3208 " Cat engines, most of the Marine Cat engines have very long life historys. Just an old diesel mechanics 2 cents

Hands off oil changing. Sounds good to me!