Cat 3116 Specs and problems?

[barley998877]

Hey all
What is the HP rating in the 3116 Cat? looking at a 40 da but the power specs look weak for the size. What are the major problems with these engines or are they a good 1500 TBO?
Cheers
B

 

[Boatingnut]

Boatdiesel.com is where you will find the best info about these engines. $25 a year, it is an invaluable tool for research on marine diesel engines, transmissions and generators.

Others can comment on the 40, but I don't think they are underpowered with those CATS. I have driven a couple, and they are great running boats.

 

[Maximus]

Hi there I have a 400 sedan bridge. 3116 cat's in it rated at 350 hp. Plenty of power. 2300 revs is 20-21 knots and fuel consumption is very good. Anything bad you're reading about 3116's are 20 year old stories. Many very happy cat owners out there including myself. Hope this helps

 

[endless seas]

A friend of mine had a 410 and it ran great with those motors.

 

[katricol]

couple friends have that boat/motor...nothing but great

 

[Prosideus]

I too have the 400 sedan bridge with the 3116s. Love them. Easy to maintain and I love the fuel efficiency.


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[fwebster]

The 40DA was ordered with either 300 hp or 350 hp 3116's and either engine is a great choice for that boat. You can find a Sundancer that runs faster, but you won't find a more economical, lower maintenance engine choice.

Caterpillar did have some quality problems with TRW valves in the mid-late 90's but Caterpillar repaired or replaced all affected engines. The valve failure occurred at 125-150 hours so any boat you are looking at now is well past the time to worry about a valve failure from that cause.

I am not a fan of boat diesel.com. There are some very good contributors and a lot of data available on the site, but I find their forum to be a lot like walking down the dock at your marina……everybody seems to have an opinion but it is never from a guy with hands-on first-hand experience, but more like a friends of a friend, a cousin second removed, etc. Here we are 20 years after the fact and you still read about valve failures on boatdiesel.com. The truth of the matter is that the 3116 is a very dependable low maintenance engine……..this is from a guy with 1500 hours on 3116's, still getting perfect oil analysis results…..but any diesel can be abused, neglected, overloaded or run hot. Be sure to invest in a mechanical survey on any boat you are interested in.

As far as longevity, there is a charter boat in our marina with 3116's in her. The owner has 12,000 hours on the engines, he is a meticulous maintainer and has replaced a few alternators, one fuel pump and a starter, but has had no serious engine problems.

Finally, if you are now considering a 40DA for the Caribbean, you really need to look at the 450DA. the 45 is very similar to the 400 but is 51 ft LOA and is like a 400 on steroids, but has the same power and same operating costs, other than those related to the length and value.

 

[HUMPH]

My '03 410DA HAS 3126TAs that are fantastic! Easy to maintain and very economical as Frank mentioned.

 

[JVM225]

I just recently bought my 410 and my experience is limited to inspection cruise and sea trial with a surveyor but the boat had plenty of power for it's size.

 

[HUMPH]

I just recently bought my 410 and my experience is limited to inspection cruise and sea trial with a surveyor but the boat had plenty of power for it's size.

You must be itching to get her out on the water and get some hours getting to know her!

 

[JVM225]

You must be itching to get her out on the water and get some hours getting to know her!

I can't wait! It"s a 2 1/2 hour drive away to where she is and I've been there a bunch of times.
It seems like it's taking forever for the winter to pass. We're really looking forward to a couple of trips this summer.
I've already got a new cockpit sink, and faucet to install and I've updated the software in the MFD's and bought a new inflatable and outboard to use with her. We're deciding on what to do with the cockpit table and flooring.
It"s going to be great to get her home and start tinkering with her.