Cat 3126 oil analysis

[roger275]

I've never had an oil analysis done but understand its a good idea when purchasing a used diesel powered boat. Can anyone direct me to a link describing how to do it with Cat 3126 V-drive? Should anything besides crank case oil be analysed? Do these have a canbus or Smartcraft style interface that allows monitoring of other parameters?

I know about temp's and RPM but any other suggestions about what to watch the cat's for during sea trial would be appreciated. The boat is a 2003 380DA. Thank you.

 

[tc410]

I've never had an oil analysis done but understand its a good idea when purchasing a used diesel powered boat. Can anyone direct me to a link describing how to do it with Cat 3126 V-drive? Should anything besides crank case oil be analysed? Do these have a canbus or Smartcraft style interface that allows monitoring of other parameters?

I know about temp's and RPM but any other suggestions about what to watch the cat's for during sea trial would be appreciated. The boat is a 2003 380DA. Thank you.

I would recommend sampling both the engines and transmissions. You can get SOS Oil Sample kits from CAT and they are about $13.00 each and include postage to the lab. They are basically a small plastic bottle that you put the sample in, and then a slightly larger plastic jar that you put the bottle of oil in. The jar is self-addressed and posted.

The oil samples will only be helpful if the oil in the components have some hours on it (at least 25 hours IMO). If the current owner just completed an oil change, the samples will obviously come back normal. Furthermore, while a single sample might show some elevated levels of certain contaminants and other variables that are included in the test, the best scenario is to judge your current sample against previous samples from the same engines if they exist. For example, I popped for the additional $26 for SOS kits every fall when I did the oil changes on my 3126's. I have nine years’ worth of data to compare. Every time over nine years my samples came back with the notation "All results normal." I never had a component of the test outside of the specified variables. Definitely worth the small amount of dollars if the conditions are right.

One thing I would also look for is to make sure that any previous owner(s) did the 250 hour service of adjusting valve clearances and fuel timing.

And now, I'm sure you'll be getting all kinds of other advice from owners and non-owners of these engines..... Sit back and heed (most of) the advice.....

 

[dpmulvey]

+1 on engines AND transmissions.

 

[fwebster]

It is a 10 year old boat.........you also need to sample the coolant. Diesel engines require an SCA in the coolant to inhibit corrosion and to prevent cavitation in t he jackets around the liners. Cat coolant has a 6 year useful life and if the coolant has not been changed or if the previous owner has not been sampling and adding SCA> then there could be corrosion or cavitation problems. Most likely the results will come back showing that the additives have been depleted and the fix is nothing more than draining the coolant, flush with fresh water, then refill with Cat ELC.

 

[katricol]

Once again....thank you Frank. I changed my coolant but forgot to add sca last year. I will now.

 

[SkippersList.com]

If there is a generator ... wouldn't hurt to have it checked too.

 

[fwebster]

Rick,

If you are using Cat brand ELC , #101-2844, you do not need SCA until the 6th year..........I just change my coolant at year 5 and don't worry about it.

 

[Sum Escape]

Once again....thank you Frank. I changed my coolant but forgot to add sca last year. I will now.

The new coolant should be at spec and no additional SCA should be added until you test it and determine it is needed.
I changed mine three seasons ago and seasonal testing required no additional additives to this point. (Fleetguard ES)

 

[fwebster]

Fleetguard ES is good antifreeze........I use it in all my diesel equipment and trucks. The Cat Extended Life coolant is different in that it has a 6 year life and with an extender can go 3 more years with regular checking of the SCA. Cat ELC doesn't need to be checked in Cat engines until the 6th year as long as you don't dilute it or mix a different coolant with it.