How many miles can you expect to put on a CAT 3126?

Well I did it. Last night I closed the deal on the 2003 Newmar Kountry Star diesel. Everything checked out and it drives like a dream.....smooth as silk and quiet.

Now I know why they tell you not to drive a diesel unless you are going to buy one. I drove several newer high end gas models and they didn't drive like this....wow!


Thanks for all of your input. I really appreciate the help.

Roland

We have around 162,000 miles on our 3176--big brother to the 3126, and have had no problems other than having to replace the coolant hoses. Runs great, and I suspect it will continue to run long after we have passed it on to the next owner!

A lot depends on which HP version it is. A 210 HP should go 500K without any major problems. UP it to 300HP and you probably loose 100K. Go to the max of 350HP and you should still be good for 300+K miles... more than enough for our use. Agree a 3126E is a better choice than a C7 Acert.

Mine (3126E) on a freightliner chassis has been bullet proof since I bought it 9 years ago! 65,000 miles. Just service it as required.

It'll outlast you!

110,000 on mine no trouble. Runs great!!!

Thank you all for your comments on this. i'm going to go ahead and proceed with checking it out and completing the sale.

Thanks again.
Roland

I have a 3126 in my 99 National Tradewinds and have only changed oil every 10,000 miles with Amsoil. So far in the 81,000 miles I have driven it, I have not touched the engine for any other reason. It has been a great performer all over the USA, Canada and Alaska.

My good friend who works for Ryder Leasing tells me that the 3126 was a MUCH BETTER engine than the C7. I ran my 3126 for 9 years and over 90K miles with only one issue. I had to replace the gasket between the oil filter adapter and the block. Cat has a TSB on the problem. The fix is basically a thicker gasket with longer bolts.

Don't forget to lube the fan bearing.

We have a 02 DSDP with a 3126 with 90,000 miles. We recently had a problems with 2 oil leaks. The first had to do with injectors - high pressure oil leak on the rail-fuel injection side of the HEUI system. CAT had issued an update not a recall which now uses a steel tube rather than a hydraulic hose part number is 24007717 TUBE KIT issued per engine serial number and cost about $800.00 to repair.

The second has to do with the cam bearings which is still being diagnosed. Estimated labor hours is ~ 30 and estimated cost to repair is $4000.00.

These are the only two engine related issues we have had and I do not consider these to be a major repair.

Would I purchase a 3126 with 40,000 miles on it. Yes, but I would have a authorized CAT Shop download the ECM history and do an inspection first. But then I would do that on any used unit that I was considering ( Cat or otherwise ).

Ro646a wrote:
I'm am close to pulling the trigger on the purchase of a beautiful 2003 Kountry Star with a CAT 3126 engine and 40,000 miles. I have tried to thoroughly research this before I spend my money. The more I read the more I think that this may not be a wise move. Are these engines prone to failure, and/or do they need more maintenance than other brands of diesel engines?

I thought that the greatest feature of a diesel (with proper maintenance, naturally) was many miles/years of service before major repairs are required. Now I'm not so sure??