Rough Idle on Caterpillar 3208 Suggestions?

[whatever]

marlinmike, obviously finances are a concern. We are being advised that the Capn can remove them to send for rebuild. Paying someone several hundred dollars travel time and gas to get to us is a hard pill to swallow when yes, money is tight. If you could give us some suggestions on someone near Satsuma, FL (so of Palatka, 30 miles or so from St Augustine and over an hr from Jacksonville) we would certainly look into that.

[whatever]

Thanks marlinmike, we have one motor now that will not start! sso moving the boat to another marina is out of the question. I will give the suggestion to the Capn about Ring Power. Thank you

[FlyingCloud1937]

Well first it takes 3 special Cat tools to remove the pump and set it up for re-install.

Second, the pumps may not be the problem, if that is the case then money spent on rebuild will be wasted, and you will still have the same problem.

Have you removed the stop solenoid, then bleed the engine, and see if she runs? You have to have the pump in the run position to properly bleed it. When the pump is bled and no air, you need to bleed each injector line.

Lloyd

Originally Posted by whatever

Lloyd, a retired diesel mechanic from another state gave us some of his time and we have determined the pumps are more than likely(more at this point) lacquered up and need rebuild. We know that we would spending thousands of dollars to have a mechanic do this work, IF and that it is a huge IF we could find someone to come to this little marina where we are. If we can pull them, send them off for rebuild and then have difficulties getting all ok when they are send back, then we can pay a little less and hopefully get someone to come from Jacksonville that knows Cat's! That is our dilemma!!! Thanks for your suggestion, believe me we have struggled thru this whole ordeal!!hoping that was not the case!!

[whatever]

Sorry it has taken so long to post this, we have been a bit busy! But I wanted to let all you that commented and offered suggestions on our problem with the rough idle on our 3208 Caterpillar's. We removed both fuel injection pumps took them to Jacksonville and had both rebuilt (both were gunned up pretty bad according to the people at L & J Diesel). We then reinstalled and the motors are now running like a champ! Actually better than they have ever run since we have owned the boat!!! Now that we have that problem resolved, we have put the Whatever on the market for sale! The last 10yrs have been fun but it is time for us to get off! Thanks to all of you for all your help over the years, this Forum has been invaluable to us!!