Cat 3116 Turbos

Boat Guy

Boat Guy

Well-Known Member
May 15, 2013
2,289
Who knows? Could be Cali, Oahu, Florida, Annapolis
Boat Info
400 DA
Engines
CAT 3116s
Guys, did I not post my experience with replacing my Turbos on the 3116?

I've done a search and can't find what I thought I wrote. Perhaps I intended to do a write up but never did it. Sometimes that's the problem with these mega boat specific threads...

I've just been reading about some of you with turbo issues and possible replacements and I was going to refer you to my post, but I don't see it....

So, if I'm repeating myself I'll delete this...If not, perhaps this will help some of you....

Years back I was faced with aging turbos that didn't freewheel very well and I was certain was causing power issues. I was able to inspect by removing the filter and using my fingers to spin the blades. On my turbos, one was spinning but required a fair amount of force to rotate the blades....

So, a solution was needed....As I understand it, you have four options. All of which I considered....

1. Get your turbos rebuilt - There are, apparently, good shops that, if your housing is in good shape, can rebuild your turbo. Couldn't tell you about the turn around time, but I think I was quoted about a week or so....Who knows in today's market....A few years ago, (Doing this by memory) I was quoted $700/each approx. if they could be worked.

2. Buy new From Cat - This was probably my first consideration as I just wanted to be sure that I was buying something new and dependable. I just felt, personally, I wouldn't be as confident with remans.... I was quoted $2950 /each ... But, here was the kicker... They didn't have any new turbos at the time anywhere and were not sure when they might be available. So I was being sold on the remans...

3. Buy Remans from Cat - If you want Cat parts and want to save a bit, this might be your option. I was quoted $2177 / each, at the time....

4. Buy aftermarket new --- Now --- This option comes with an asterisks --- Decide for yourself --- I'm not taking any responsibility --- That said, since I wasn't too happy with any of the three options above, I decided to investigate and see if I could find the cross reference for the turbo. I mean, I was pretty certain Cat didn't actually make the turbo. They buy it and slap their part number on it....With some pretty heavy research I was able to cross-ref to a particular brand that was bought out by Borg-Warner. I actually spoke with a rep there, years ago, and he confirmed, (his words) no difference in the part I believe it was called an S300... So I went on the hunt to find a reputable dealer and get confirmation... I did, and was quoted $1150/ each for a new marine 3116 turbo....

I went with option 4, and have not had an issue. They do not come painted, so you need to decide if that's something you want to take on....

2018' ish part numbers & prices below:

Rebuild : $ 800/ ish (maybe)

CAT Reman PN: 10R9769 Price: $2177
CAT New PN: 1574386 Price: $2943 (Unavil at the time)

Borg Warner New PN: 179-588 Price: $1150 (unpainted)

So, for me, there was a no choice...Either wait til forever for Cat to let me know when the new ones were in stock and pay about $7k for the parts new, or get them when I needed them both, all in, for $2300 shipped...

I'm not posting the name of the dealer I used because I'm hearing some chatter about CAT restricting and controlling the part. I don't want to get involved with this potential monopolistic behavior and get the dealer or BW in trouble..Perhaps someone can school me on this...

Aloha....
 
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My $2,300 CAT 3126 reman didn’t come painted either :)

I probably would have given the aftermarket a go but I couldn’t find them anywhere and the shops that answered said it’s “restricted” and they only have the cartridge. I needed the housing but couldn’t even get the two apart so I bought the whole thing.

hopefully the remans hold up for me, other folks said the cat reman program is solid and they take a lot of pride in it

I think @knotonduty just ordered third party as well.

by the way, new turbos fixed my high egt issues
 
Good to know Ryan and congrats....Your reman price was inline with my numbers. I have no idea if CAT remans them themselves or ships them out....A bit surprised they weren't painted though.

I put the PN in my post to help people source it... It wasn't that hard. The dealer I used wasn't a "marine" dealer, but a diesel distributor out of TX....
 
I have parts in that Turbo. I don't think CAT touches them -- other than to bolt them on their engine. :)
 
It would be interesting to see who actually does the reman - my cores had to be shipped back and evaluated before they'll give me a refund so we'll see how much I get. They said "up to $1,300 each depending on condition"

The turbine housing and compressor housing for ours have a CAT logo cast right into them so they do a good job of making them look unique.
 
Strecker25 said:
It would be interesting to see who actually does the reman - my cores had to be shipped back and evaluated before they'll give me a refund so we'll see how much I get. They said "up to $1,300 each depending on condition"

The turbine housing and compressor housing for ours have a CAT logo cast right into them so they do a good job of making them look unique.
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I am not 100% positive, but my guess would be they go back to Borg Warner to be remanufactured.
https://www.borgwarner.com/newsroom...supports-vehicles-through-every-stage-of-life
https://www.borgwarner.com/aftermarket/boosting-technologies/reman-program
 
Years ago I had a turbo eat itself and throw the turbine into the exhaust on a CAT 3406. Then the same happened on a C12. Now I know the C12 isn't a marine motor, but it is all in the same family of motors. Both cases, I found turbo's at the local Paccar dealer. That 3406 being an obsolete motor and everybody trying to get them out of the publics hands, parts are extremely hard to find. The Paccar dealer had an aftermarket turbo that was actually a better turbo. There was no lag and it had a better flow which is so much better for EGT's. That aftermarket turbo was a new product and for $700 wasn't bad. As for the core, there wasn't one. That turbine went out the exhaust and the compressor went out the air cleaner.

I also have had a Detroit turbo come apart. Dumped coolant into the oil and out the exhaust. That was a new one that was old stock and flawed from the start.

Paccar is a certified dealer and repair for CAT. And when they are next door to each other, it's real fun. I have walked out of the CAT door and into the Paccar and found parts in stock and at a lower cost.
 
Boat Guy said:
I wondered about that and looked into if there was an upgraded option. Perhaps someone will find one, but it seemed like it would be difficult to find...I just wanted to make sure everything lined up perfectly... Golfman might know.
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I don't know that much. I just make parts. :) I know CAT and BW have been working together for years.
 
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