Winterizing CAT 3126's

I run the engines up to temp only because I'm changing the oil too, so I run the pink though, and then change the oil.
 
Since we are on this subject, do any of you with the 3126 "fog" your motors at winterization time?? I spoke with a CAT rep who indicated that fogging was a must do item
 
What would you fog them with....."oil ??"...why do they call diesels "oil" burners? Wouldn't worry about fogging, you do this when you start your engines.
 
DagoBy said:
Since we are on this subject, do any of you with the 3126 "fog" your motors at winterization time?? I spoke with a CAT rep who indicated that fogging was a must do item
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Would like to hear Frank's response on this.
 
DagoBy said:
Since we are on this subject, do any of you with the 3126 "fog" your motors at winterization time?? I spoke with a CAT rep who indicated that fogging was a must do item
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I would be curious to know how is this done on a diesel engines. I've never heard anything like that. BTW, I haven't fog even my previously owned gas engines, ever since I got the fuel injected models. That would bring it back to over 10yrs ago. Never had an issue. Fuel additives do the trick.

Did your CAT rep give you any clue on how he would fog the diesel engine?
 
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He did not give me any idea as to how to fog the motors (of course i didn't ask). He was located in NC ( maybe SC, not sure ) and I had worked my way up to him trying to get CAT to participate in the recent overhaul of both of my motors (one at 260 hrs and the other at 750). The first motor was the famous broken valve (CAT's excuse was too old and lack of use) The second motor was due to a pitted cylinder wall. The CAT rep said the pitting was due to moisture that entered the cylinder. He indicated that had the motors been fogged, it would most likely not have happened?? I'm going out on the water tomorrow afternoon with the mechanic and service manager from my local CAT dealer to try and diagnose a strong oil smell and I will inquire about the fogging method
 
Ouch, sorry to hear about your troubles.

I'm guessing there should be a lot more to the story on the 2nd engine (750hrs one). Perhaps oil sampling would have provide a big clue. But, the statement made by the mechanic doesn't make too much sense to me. Just logically thinking, if he was 100% right, this would mean that fogging the diesel engine must have been one of the critical items on the long term (winterizing) storage list that folks would clearly read in their manuals (does your manual say anything about fogging?). We would also hear many more stories/problems from those that didn't fog their diesels. For all these years I personally haven't heard it mentioned on the board. I can't wait to hear more details and explanation from CATs service manager.

Good luck with your sea-trial. Hope rebuilt engines will work flawlessly for many years.
 
I think the CAT rep was in a FOG, and grasping at straws...

Never heard of anyone fogging a diesel engine. With my first GM 6.5L diesel years ago, I tried 'cleaning' the intake by introducing SeaFoam into the turbo...it resulted in a runaway condition that I don't ever want to experience again.

All the oil based 'fogging' products I've seen for gassers would have a similar effect if introduced into a high compression diesel. Depending on how much you'd sprayed before it got going, you might be looking at another rebuild...
 
Any diesel engine i have ever seen has a heat exchanger and uses A/F in the engine already. just the heat exchanger needs to be drained of seawater and filled with pink af and the mufflers.
 
DagoBy said:
He did not give me any idea as to how to fog the motors (of course i didn't ask). He was located in NC ( maybe SC, not sure ) and I had worked my way up to him trying to get CAT to participate in the recent overhaul of both of my motors (one at 260 hrs and the other at 750). The first motor was the famous broken valve (CAT's excuse was too old and lack of use) The second motor was due to a pitted cylinder wall. The CAT rep said the pitting was due to moisture that entered the cylinder. He indicated that had the motors been fogged, it would most likely not have happened?? I'm going out on the water tomorrow afternoon with the mechanic and service manager from my local CAT dealer to try and diagnose a strong oil smell and I will inquire about the fogging method
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when my engines were replaced the risers were not properly angled an so water could get back to the turbo chargers causing the to fail. Could this be the same issue with your pitted cylinder wall?
 
Bt Doctur said:
Any diesel engine i have ever seen has a heat exchanger and uses A/F in the engine already. just the heat exchanger needs to be drained of seawater and filled with pink af and the mufflers.
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Be careful here... there are also fuel coolers, oil coolers, aftercoolers and transmission coolers that can hold water after haulout.
I have cummins, and have not winterized a Cat....but I am pretty sure there are more than mufflers and h/e's. Sometimes the way a particular hose is routed can make a difference on how things drain too, do your diligence.
 
Why make simple things complicated? Just rig the bucket to hold 7-8 gallons of pink and run it through the systems. No need to drain anything. Run enough to make sure you clear pink coming out. If you're trying to save some pink, this is wrong place to do it. If you mess something up the repairs may cost thousands. It's not worth saving $20 worth of pink.
 
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Alex F said:
Why make simple things complicated? Just rig the bucket to hold 7-8 gallons of pink and run it through the systems. No need to drain anything. Run enough to make sure you clear pink coming out. If you're trying to save some pink, this is wrong place to do it. If you mess something up the repairs may cost thousands. It's not worth saving $20 worth of pink.
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Yes, works for most of us, but winterizing is done differently by many people, and would hate to see someone freeze something for not doing their homework. .
 
my3sons said:
Be careful here... there are also fuel coolers, oil coolers, aftercoolers and transmission coolers that can hold water after haulout.
I have cummins, and have not winterized a Cat....but I am pretty sure there are more than mufflers and h/e's. Sometimes the way a particular hose is routed can make a difference on how things drain too, do your diligence.
Click to expand...
The fuel cooler, oil cooler, after cooler and tx cooler all get their raw water from the same source......The thru hull. Pink in-----Pink out viola, problem solved. My Cat 3126's and associated raw water components flush out with 6 gallons of Pink. 2 Gallons for the Gen and 3 for the A/C and that is probably overkill but Pink is cheap compared to an engine block or raw water component repair. There is really no other practical way to winterize. (well, maybe move the boat to Florida).
 
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