Should I replace heat exchangers on Caterpillar 4126?

merlin

Member
Jun 17, 2010
86
san francisco,ca/Marina del Ray, Ca
Boat Info
"Volare", a 2003 Sundancer 410, with original Raymarine electronics.
Engines
2, 350 hp, Cat 3126's
My 41 sun dancer is 14 years old with 400 hours on the engines. I've owned her for 6 years, I am the third owner. To my knowledge the heat exchangers have never been replaced. My local Cat dealer says they should be replaced every 6 years. What say you all?
Also, my slip has an awful starboard wind, which drives me crazy when I dock even though I have a bow thruster. What about a stern thruster? Are they effective? Many thanks.
 
Cat sells parts so what does that tell you? Do you do your work at all? Can you remove them and have them inspected and pressure tested by a radiator shop? Of course if money is no option and you want piece of mind have new ones installed and sell the take offs on ebay for half the price of new one.
 
My 3116's are 20+ years old and I have never even considered replacing the heat exchangers, but……..I use nothing but Caterpillar ELC (Extended Life Coolant), I change it at or before the recommended interval (5 years) and I keep the system clean. I am in warm salt water and I descale the cooling system every 5 years.
 
Are you sure they said replace the heat exchanger or replace the engine coolant for the heat exchanger? I checked the Cat maintenance schedule and it says nothing about replacing the heat exchanger. They are not a maintenance replacement item. The exchangers on my 3116 cats are original like Frank's. If you take care of them they should last near the life of the engine.
 
Thank you all for your advice on the heat exchangers. I went back through my records and learned that I descaled them 4 years ago. That should be enough for now I think.
 

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