Caterpillar mechanic in Kent Island, MD area

mrsrobinson

Well-Known Member
Mar 9, 2006
7,704
Virginia
Boat Info
2001 380DA
Engines
Caterpillar 3126
I am looking for a reputable, trustworthy Caterpillar marine mechanic who can do the aftercooler cleaning service on a pair of CAT 3126s in the Kent Island area. CAT and Shore Power have both given me an estimate, checking to see if their is a local mechanic as well.


Thanks
 
Yes, I am getting mixed feedback on them though. They did the engine surveys on the boat I am under contract on. From a brokers point of view they seem to always recommend the same laundry list of "Must do now before you use the boat".
 
FWIW, we have MANs, not CATs, but all the feedback I've seen about Shore Power and MAN in the same sentence has been positive.

Some CATs have a reputation for needing a whole lot of rehab if they've been neglected. Especially cooling system. 3196s, I think. Not well informed at all, just semi-remember info I came across helping friend shop. Better info on boatdiesel.com if you haven't been there yet.

-Chris
 
Yes, I am getting mixed feedback on them though. They did the engine surveys on the boat I am under contract on. From a brokers point of view they seem to always recommend the same laundry list of "Must do now before you use the boat".
Sounds like they did their job as the engine surveyor on behalf of the buyer. I have had excellent experience with Shore Power in servicing my MANs.
 
I am looking for a reputable, trustworthy Caterpillar marine mechanic who can do the aftercooler cleaning service on a pair of CAT 3126s in the Kent Island area. CAT and Shore Power have both given me an estimate, checking to see if their is a local mechanic as well.


Thanks

I can appreciate paying someone to do a job so don't take this the wrong way. If you're finding it difficult to find availability or the estimates are coming in a little rich, the R&R of the aftercooler can be done DIY with basic tools and a moderate amount of swearing.
 
I saw in another post you made that the cost was around $8k from CAT. No experience whatsoever with CATs, but I had a very reputable Cummins mechanic go completely through the raw water side of my 6CTAs and the entire bill was right at $5k and that include other things like some hoses, etc....

Bennett
 
I can appreciate paying someone to do a job so don't take this the wrong way. If you're finding it difficult to find availability or the estimates are coming in a little rich, the R&R of the aftercooler can be done DIY with basic tools and a moderate amount of swearing.
Well, that's what I want to do, do it myself. I will be on a schedule though to get the boat home plus it's a 3 hour car drive each way to where it's slipped. I see myself starting the job, then forgetting a tool and/or needing something.

Ideally I'd like to watch a mechanic do it so I can learn, or do the work myself with a mechanic. My GFs brother-in-law is a certified CAT mechanic, he's never worked on marine applications though, mostly heavy equipment. He offered to help me. Thus why I may pay someone to do the marine/raw water service before I bring the boat home.
 
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I am looking for a reputable, trustworthy Caterpillar marine mechanic who can do the aftercooler cleaning service on a pair of CAT 3126s in the Kent Island area. CAT and Shore Power have both given me an estimate, checking to see if their is a local mechanic as well.


Thanks

I can vouch for Shore Power, they are excellent. There reputation is nothing but good. Boats come from all around the bay to my marina to have them service their boats, I wouldn't recommend anyone else.
 
Well, that's what I want to do, do it myself. I will be on a schedule though to get the boat home plus it's a 3 hour car drive each way to where it's slipped. I see myself starting the job, then forgetting a tool and/or needing something.

Ideally I'd like to watch a mechanic do it so I can learn, or do the work myself with a mechanic. My GFs brother-in-law is a certified CAT mechanic, he's never worked on marine applications though, mostly heavy equipment. He offered to help me. Thus why I may pay someone to do the marine/raw water service before I bring the boat home.

oh right, my bad we talked about this. That makes sense, especially since getting them cleaned/tested will take a few days so you'd have at least 3 trips back and forth
 
I can vouch for Shore Power, they are excellent. There reputation is nothing but good. Boats come from all around the bay to my marina to have them service their boats, I wouldn't recommend anyone else.

i can, too. But make sure you get Rich or Josh (?) as your tech.
 
Rich actually called me on Friday about the boat I have under contract, sounded like a good, knowledgeable guy.
 
So, I am having a bit of anxiety; the mobile diesel mechanic I asked to do the work (who came with a lot of good recommendations) has not made it to the boat yet, after telling me 3 weeks in a row he would get to it the following week. I get it, he's crazy busy, in high demand, new to being on his own, lives in engine compartments all day, etc. He doesn't communicate with me though. I call, he answers, says he will call back, doesn't. Last he heard from me I was supposed to be moving the boat this week. I have rented the slip for another month now though.

Shore Power is booked through April and into early May. I only want to get the after coolers serviced.

Shore Power and Carter both wanted $4K per engine for labor alone to do this for me. The guy I went with quoted me 10-12 hours at $125 hour, for both engines. Yes, you get what you pay for, all of you told me so, beat me up, but it's what I did.

Any other mobile mechanic recommendations?
 
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Why not DIY? Not that hard, lots of help here. I am doing mine. Never touched a diesel over 25 hp before. You will know its done right and spend less time on phone tag. (I think 10 or so hours is about right. $125 is also reasonable.) On the other hand how much difference will it make if you have to wait another 20 or 50 hours on the engines?
Either way both you and your 3126s should be fine.
My 2 cents and not worth that.
 

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