Cat 3126- 300HP

[JoeD]

Hey fellas

l'm new to the diesel world so here's a newbi question; One of the boats I'm considering has Cat 3126-300 HP with 1800 hours (recreational)

I did a little reserch and found lots of info on higher HP model 3126's, not so mutch on the 300HP "commercial" models.

Woud you please share with me some of your knowledge with these 300 HP Cat motors, are they long lasting reliable?

Thanks a bunch

Joed

 

[BunkerMan]

Look into the history of the block. There was a problem with some 3126 blocks made in the early 90's which does not mean that there bad just that there is a Issue to look for. I just took out a 420hp 3126 from a friend boat and it made 10000 hrs. @ 300hp that engin has a long long life span. Clean fuel and 100hr oil change and low rpm cruising will last u a very long time. I also have a 3126 with 420hp in my personal boat and it has similar hrs to urs. I send oil samples to blackstone labs and watch over my engin like it's my baby. Clean fuel is key. It's not a Detroit !!!

 

[pugsley]

i have that same motor with 7000 hrs, and a friend of mine has about 11k on his now, neither one of us push them, i cruise at 2200. they are good on fuel. they have a couple of quirks, the injector cups, and they are definitely a noisy engine. i would buy another in a heart beat.

 

[JoeD]

Look into the history of the block. There was a problem with some 3126 blocks made in the early 90's which does not mean that there bad just that there is a Issue to look for. I just took out a 420hp 3126 from a friend boat and it made 10000 hrs. @ 300hp that engin has a long long life span. Clean fuel and 100hr oil change and low rpm cruising will last u a very long time. I also have a 3126 with 420hp in my personal boat and it has similar hrs to urs. I send oil samples to blackstone labs and watch over my engin like it's my baby. Clean fuel is key. It's not a Detroit !!!

Thanks to both of you for the info, how do I check on the block issues, is there a motor/model I should be looking as a potential "bad block year"?

Thanks again.

Joed

 

[pugsley]

i know the bad blocks were cast in france, but i don't know how to id them

 

[Toolate]

There is a serial # where the issue stopped being an issue if you know what I mean. Looked at a boat with one and it was was before the end of the bad blocks but the block had been changed along with the turbo etc. by CAT so I felt good about it.

Sadly, I cant remember who on this forum told me what the cutoff ser # it was or what the # was.....

 

[pugsley]

i don't think the soft blocks ran too long, i would imagine if it had one it would have blown up long ago.

 

[riskybusiness]

ive got a 2002 3126 420hp in my 35' Bruno and its all around a great engine....if you don't beat on them and run them more like a 300 hp not a 420 they do pretty good mines got 7500 hours on it and still runs finest kind....the 300 hp is bomb proof that's more what they would run in a loader....you cant kill them, the 420hp is a little bit much but I don't run it like a 420 horse so I think that helps....its all just a matter of how far you push that little red lever forward......

 

[captainlarry84]

Hey fellas

l'm new to the diesel world so here's a newbi question; One of the boats I'm considering has Cat 3126-300 HP with 1800 hours (recreational)

I did a little reserch and found lots of info on higher HP model 3126's, not so mutch on the 300HP "commercial" models.

Woud you please share with me some of your knowledge with these 300 HP Cat motors, are they long lasting reliable?

Thanks a bunch

Joed

The 3116 did have block issues, however they did make corrections. If this vessel has 1800 hours on her chances are are problems would have come to light. Therefore I would say that this 3116 is a good one.

 

[richardh]

my father inlaw has a 3126 in his 34 calvin been in there since 2002 or so

 

[hntrss]

Actually, I think the block problems were only with the 3116, not the 3126.

 

[captainlarry84]

Actually, I think the block problems were only with the 3116, not the 3126.

Correct a 3126 @ only 300 HP sounds like a good power plant.

 

[stuartag]

got a 3116 with 16000 hrs runs like a top but set at 230 hp

 

[Capt. Ed]

I've got a pair of 300 HP 3116TA CATS with twin disk gears for sale if anyone is interested. I just posted them in the classified section today. These engines have been well maintained and run great.

 

[Gurryman]

Capt ED, we get it. You don't have to post your engines for sale in every thread that makes reference to Cat engines. 5 total posts, all 5 hocking your "engines for sale"

 

[Capt. Ed]

Sorry for offending you Gurryman however I only know of 2 post mentioning my motors. My add in classified & this post referring to my add.

 

[Gurryman]

Sorry for offending you Gurryman however I only know of 2 post mentioning my motors. My add in classified & this post referring to my add.

That because you deleted the other 3 posts, Smart-A

And I'm not offended. it just makes you appear desperate. JMHO

 

[Capt. Ed]

That because you deleted the other 3 posts, Smart-A

And I'm not offended. it just makes you appear desperate. JMHO

Far from desperate my friend but I got better things to do tonight than go around and around and around with you.