Official Caterpillar3116/3126 Thread

[Strecker25]

For anyone not having done the starboard impeller, it’s not as bad as I was anticipating (on the 410DA at least). Removing the exhaust tube is a must.

the bolt works great, I just needed an extra inch so I had to put a spacer in to push the impeller out a little further before it wiggled loose.

I now see what you all meant about removing the oil gallery. Two small bolts and all the sensors move out of the way.

I was shocked how easy it was to get the new one in. Lastly, replace your cover plate. Mine was destroyed

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

Wonder if one could install an elbow fitting as a permanent relocation of the oil pressure sending unit?

 

[Strecker25]

Wonder if one could install an elbow fitting as a permanent relocation of the oil pressure sending unit?

I’m sure you could but honestly it comes right off and out of the way with the two nuts. I didn’t have a spare gasket but it’s a rubber oring type so I’ll order a couple just in case but it was in good shape.

 

[ttmott]

Wonder if one could install an elbow fitting as a permanent relocation of the oil pressure sending unit?

There're several posts over the years to move things around so removing the impeller is easier. On the 3116 the oil hose can simply be rotated to the other side of the sender and it makes plenty of room to remove the pump impeller.

 

[fwebster]

I had an oil sender fail at 60 hours and the Teleflex replacement Sea ray furnished was very short and solved the STBD impeller access issue.

 

[Pgeee]

After opinions, based on conversation with PO coolant has not been changed in the 6 years he had the boat, just topped up. I’m pretty sure it’s Elc , I’ll check colour next time on board. Assuming it’s Elc, would you
A) get Cat to test the coolant, then change it anyway
B) just change it
C) get CAT to test the coolant and take their advice on whether it can be extended or not

 

[Strecker25]

After opinions, based on conversation with PO coolant has not been changed in the 6 years he had the boat, just topped up. I’m pretty sure it’s Elc , I’ll check colour next time on board. Assuming it’s Elc, would you
A) get Cat to test the coolant, then change it anyway
B) just change it
C) get CAT to test the coolant and take their advice on whether it can be extended or not

change it, then you’ve got the baseline. I know, easy to spend other peoples money, but it sounds like it’s due anyway.

also; how much top-up? I’ve never had to add coolant in our 3 years with the boat so if it’s significant you might have a leak somewhere

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

penny wise.........

My PO did the same

Cost me a turbo

BEST !

RWS

 

[The Bill Collector]

After opinions, based on conversation with PO coolant has not been changed in the 6 years he had the boat, just topped up. I’m pretty sure it’s Elc , I’ll check colour next time on board. Assuming it’s Elc, would you
A) get Cat to test the coolant, then change it anyway
B) just change it
C) get CAT to test the coolant and take their advice on whether it can be extended or not

$200 for both engines... Just do it

 

[Pgeee]

change it, then you’ve got the baseline. I know, easy to spend other peoples money, but it sounds like it’s due anyway.

also; how much top-up? I’ve never had to add coolant in our 3 years with the boat so if it’s significant you might have a leak somewhere

Thanks , It’s not loosing any in the 8 months I have had it so I assume top ups were rare and small .

 

[fwebster]

Here is a misconception re: extending at ELC past its 6 year life:

True, it can be extended but you must start by having the coolant analyzed by Cat's SOS fluid analysis lab (+$) to find out what SCA's (supplemental coolant additives) (+$) your coolant needs in addition to the extender. Additionally, you must check the SCA content annually (+$) on extended ELC. S0, extending ELC isn't a "one and done" process. You must have access to SCA checking strips ( +$) and additional SCA chemicals (+$) to bring you coolant up to the correct levels when you do your annual checks.

So, while it is possible to extend the life of ELC past 6 years, it may not make financial sense for a recreational boater who puts a relatively small number of hours (75 to 125 hours) on his engines every year when you consider the fact that you may have to periodically drain your coolant for regular maintenance purposes like thermostat changes, cleaning aftercoolers on 3116's, etc. I timed those maintenance needs so I could just change the coolant every 5 years while handling other maintenance chores.

 

[ttmott]

Here is a misconception re: extending at ELC past its 6 year life:

True, it can be extended but you must start by having the coolant analyzed by Cat's SOS fluid analysis lab (+$) to find out what SCA's (supplemental coolant additives) (+$) your coolant needs in addition to the extender. Additionally, you must check the SCA content annually (+$) on extended ELC. S0, extending ELC isn't a "one and done" process. You must have access to SCA checking strips ( +$) and additional SCA chemicals (+$) to bring you coolant up to the correct levels when you do your annual checks.

So, while it is possible to extend the life of ELC past 6 years, it may not make financial sense for a recreational boater who puts a relatively small number of hours (75 to 125 hours) on his engines every year when you consider the fact that you may have to periodically drain your coolant for regular maintenance purposes like thermostat changes, cleaning aftercoolers on 3116's, etc. I timed those maintenance needs so I could just change the coolant every 5 years while handling other maintenance chores.

Or an engine that holds 20 or 30 gallons of coolant. What I like about Cummins (QSM11) is there is a coolant filter that has the SCA additives in the filter assembly. There are three filters available which have different levels of the additives. That filter gets changed once a year and it's no more cost than the oil filters.

 

[Maybe A Dancer]

Or an engine that holds 20 or 30 gallons of coolant. What I like about Cummins (QSM11) is there is a coolant filter that has the SCA additives in the filter assembly. There are three filters available which have different levels of the additives. That filter gets changed once a year and it's no more cost than the oil filters.

I ran a fleet of MACK trucks, powered by MACK engines in the 1980's. They employed (and I believe developed) the coolant filter/additive technology.

Believe me - it really made a difference!

 

[Strecker25]

Or an engine that holds 20 or 30 gallons of coolant. What I like about Cummins (QSM11) is there is a coolant filter that has the SCA additives in the filter assembly. There are three filters available which have different levels of the additives. That filter gets changed once a year and it's no more cost than the oil filters.

i often forget how small our engines are in comparison to the rest of the CAT portfolio. Every once in a while I get sucked into the YouTube rabbit hole and end up on a video showing some massive genset or heavy equipment. Amazing stuff

 

[ttmott]

i often forget how small our engines are in comparison to the rest of the CAT portfolio. Every once in a while I get sucked into the YouTube rabbit hole and end up on a video showing some massive genset or heavy equipment. Amazing stuff

Cat Marine Propulsion - lots of coolant, lots of oil.

 

[Pgeee]

Here is a misconception re: extending at ELC past its 6 year life:

True, it can be extended but you must start by having the coolant analyzed by Cat's SOS fluid analysis lab (+$) to find out what SCA's (supplemental coolant additives) (+$) your coolant needs in addition to the extender. Additionally, you must check the SCA content annually (+$) on extended ELC. S0, extending ELC isn't a "one and done" process. You must have access to SCA checking strips ( +$) and additional SCA chemicals (+$) to bring you coolant up to the correct levels when you do your annual checks.

So, while it is possible to extend the life of ELC past 6 years, it may not make financial sense for a recreational boater who puts a relatively small number of hours (75 to 125 hours) on his engines every year when you consider the fact that you may have to periodically drain your coolant for regular maintenance purposes like thermostat changes, cleaning aftercoolers on 3116's, etc. I timed those maintenance needs so I could just change the coolant every 5 years while handling other maintenance chores.

Thanks for that comprehensive response, pretty much it looks like I’ll be weighing down my car with four of those five gallon drums . One thing I did wonder about the cat coolant test procedure, is if it’s worth doing occasionally, just because of the diagnostic info it gives on the engine, like the oil tests do ? Attached for reference

 

[fwebster]

I'd suggest you buy the Cat ELT in cases of gallons rather then in 5 gal buckets. Gallons are much easier to pour into the engines than working with 5 gal buckets. The expansion tank where the radiator cap is located is pretty high in the bilge so pouring coolant out of the 5 gal bucket tends to be messy and it gets tiresome holding the 5 gal bucket high enough to empty.

Oil is a different story since these boats have an oil change pump on them that simplifies pumping the old oil out and the new oil in……not as easy with ELC.

 

[dtfeld]

Thanks for that comprehensive response, pretty much it looks like I’ll be weighing down my car with four of those five gallon drums . One thing I did wonder about the cat coolant test procedure, is if it’s worth doing occasionally, just because of the diagnostic info it gives on the engine, like the oil tests do ? Attached for reference

I started doing SOS on the coolant this year after 3 years since changing it. Beyond checking the condition of the coolant, you would also be monitoring for other abnormalities, like oil or sea water in the coolant indicating various problems that might be addressed before a major failure.

 

[Strecker25]

I started doing SOS on the coolant this year after 3 years since changing it. Beyond checking the condition of the coolant, you would also be monitoring for other abnormalities, like oil or sea water in the coolant indicating various problems that might be addressed before a major failure.

same. I bought the big box of test kits and take oil, coolant, and gear oil.

 

[The Bill Collector]

I'd suggest you buy the Cat ELT in cases of gallons rather then in 5 gal buckets. Gallons are much easier to pour into the engines than working with 5 gal buckets. The expansion tank where the radiator cap is located is pretty high in the bilge so pouring coolant out of the 5 gal bucket tends to be messy and it gets tiresome holding the 5 gal bucket high enough to empty.

Oil is a different story since these boats have an oil change pump on them that simplifies pumping the old oil out and the new oil in……not as easy with ELC.

Leaving the 5-gallon bucket on the cockpit floor and running a simple siphon tube for me, worked out great. The summer I spent on my Uncle's 100-acre wheat farm when I was 15 came in handy, as I got every morning to set siphon tubes.