Cat 3116 turbo whine

[Pierpressure1]

i had a group of friends on the boat for a long cruise at 2400 rpm. After a couple hours the folks ridding in the cabin came to the bridge to tell me that they heard a change in the engine sound. I went down to listen and it did sound like a high pitch whine which I assume are the turbos. This was the first time I had gone to the cabin while the boat was at speed so I am not sure if it was quieter before. There was no change in performance.

Is this something I should be concerned about?

 

[fwebster]

Were you in any kind of seas or waves at all?

3116 Caterpillar turbos do whine and the actual turbo speed is relative to engine load. If you were in seas and the boat was running up and down the front and back of waves, then the turbo sound will change as the engine load changes.

THe Air-Sep does a good job of muffling the turbo noise so if the change is constant, you might want to remove the breather element and examine the interior of the Air-Sep.

An increase in pitch means the turbo is spinning, a decrease in pitch could indicate a problem. Every turbo failure I've been around was accompanied by the turbo not turning rather than it accelerating. I'd run it a while and see what happens.........

 

[Strecker25]

Were you in any kind of seas or waves at all?

3116 Caterpillar turbos do whine and the actual turbo speed is relative to engine load. If you were in seas and the boat was running up and down the front and back of waves, then the turbo sound will change as the engine load changes.

THe Air-Sep does a good job of muffling the turbo noise so if the change is constant, you might want to remove the breather element and examine the interior of the Air-Sep.

An increase in pitch means the turbo is spinning, a decrease in pitch could indicate a problem. Every turbo failure I've been around was accompanied by the turbo not turning rather than it accelerating. I'd run it a while and see what happens.........

Frank, as we look for our next boat I'm leaning towards 400/410's with the 3116's so I've been reading up on the maintenance -- the manual says "Turbocharger - Inspect" every 1000 hours or 2 years. Is there something special a CAT mechanic would do to check the turbo, or is it just a visual inspection and maybe a check the compressor from the cold side?

Curious if they would remove it and check for wear/bearings/runout/etc.

 

[fwebster]

Honestly, I think that is one of those maintenance items included to increase dealer revenue and is mostly directed at inspecting the intake side and cleaning any carbon deposits on the exhaust side. The only time Cat owners here have a turbo inspected is when a mechanic is already on the boat for something else or when they have boost problems.

 

[Pierpressure1]

Were you in any kind of seas or waves at all?

3116 Caterpillar turbos do whine and the actual turbo speed is relative to engine load. If you were in seas and the boat was running up and down the front and back of waves, then the turbo sound will change as the engine load changes.

THe Air-Sep does a good job of muffling the turbo noise so if the change is constant, you might want to remove the breather element and examine the interior of the Air-Sep.

An increase in pitch means the turbo is spinning, a decrease in pitch could indicate a problem. Every turbo failure I've been around was accompanied by the turbo not turning rather than it accelerating. I'd run it a while and see what happens.........

Thank you again for a quick response. I did have 9 people on the boat running up river against the wind. A number of my guests overpacked and there was a full water tank and fuel.

Adam

 

[dtfeld]

I had a band clamp fail on the turbo output to the aftercooler coupling hose. The most immediate change was a high pitched squeel/whine. Not sure if that could be the problem you are having, but might be worth a quick look.

 

[Pierpressure1]

I had a band clamp fail on the turbo output to the aftercooler coupling hose. The most immediate change was a high pitched squeel/whine. Not sure if that could be the problem you are having, but might be worth a quick look.

Thanks for the heads up. Clamps appear to be properly installed. On my trip down river this weekend there was no whine so I think it was a load issue.

 

[kawakx125]

turbo's spin ridiculously high speeds, and checks of them are mostly visual. you can pull the intake and grab the shaft and see if there is any excessive play. make sure it can't contact the housing at all, as that will make a heck of a noise. Really shouldn't be much play at all