About 6 years ago my CAT 3126 started to lose power intermittently. I changed the fuel filter, but that didn't help. I took it to a CAT dealer and it was diagnosed as dirty oil. I guess the oil pressu...
It sounds like it could be the fuel filter isn't full also. Mine loses power when it's not full and if not bled by loosening the screw on top and pumping like mad it will never run right.