Cat powered Newmar Kountry Star

I have a Caterpillar 3126B in a 1997 Holiday Rambler Endeavor LE it has 184,000 miles, uses no oil, runs perfectly. I had Holt Cat in San Antonio, tx adjust the valves at 100,000 and will have them do it again at 200,000 miles. You wont go wrong with a Cat or a Cummins engine either.
Bill

jplante4 wrote:
Also, if you call CAT with the engine number, they can give you a maintenance history of any work done at CAT shops. CAT RV Hotline 877-777-3126.

Excellent advice.

And, if the initial valve adjustment has not been done-- it IS time.

Also, if you call CAT with the engine number, they can give you a maintenance history of any work done at CAT shops. CAT RV Hotline 877-777-3126.

I have a 1999 Tradewinds with a 300hp turbo charged 3126B Cat. We have 92,000 miles on her and other than normal maintenance, she has performed flawlessly. From the Rockies to west coast and Canada east to New York and back to Florida several times.


I have had very good service from my Cat and would recommend it to anyone. Hope this helps

We have put 95,000 miles on a 02 DSDP with a 3126 E engine with only minor issues. Still running strong. Take it to a CAT dealer and have pay him to do an ECM data dump.

joelm wrote:
You should get an oil sample analysis on any diesel engine you are considering buying. Around $30 and will tell you if you are looking at any existing problems with the engine

seems the first thing a dealer or by owner does is change the oil.
Going to get a analysis done on near perfect oil.

You should get an oil sample analysis on any diesel engine you are considering buying. Around $30 and will tell you if you are looking at any existing problems with the engine

Well,
I've got several friends with the C-7 and several with the 3126. Both of those engines are great engines. EVERY diesel engine, CAT or Cummins, and variations of them, CAN have issues. Does this mean that ALL CATs or All Cummins are bad, he... no. The C-7 was an improvement over the 3126 which, had several versions. There were not only emmisions changes with the introduction of the C-7 but, there were some physical changes too. The C-7 was introduced in late '03 but the coaches were labeled as '04. Such is the case with ours.

The chassis build date was Oct of '03. The coach build date was 11 of '03. The C-7 CAT, has primarily (3) versions for the RV industry. A 300, 330 and a 350HP version. One of the minor differences is the elimination of the "lube" zerk fitting for the fan bearing. CAT found that many were not being maintained on a regular basis due to the location of it. So, for the C-7, they started installing permanently sealed fab hub bearings.


The HEUI pump is also different for the C-7. It provides a higher injection pressure. There are a few more aesthetically different features but I've forgotten them. We have presently, 83,000 miles on ours and it runs like a top. The folks we run with have anywhere from 25,000 to 90,000 on theirs and none of them have had any issues. At 82,000, I just replaced my fan hub bearing. Mine was rough but, still turning just fine. No doubt about it, some have failed early. But, based on the amount of C-7s out there, not that many have had a failed fan hub bearing.

The HEUI pumps, while some have had an issue, are working just fine. The problem with RVers that read about ISSUES with any CAT engines on here is, you're reading about a very, very limited amount of problem engines. The C-7 was not only installed in motorhomes. It was installed in over-the-road trucks, delivery trucks, Fire trucks, School busses, cement trucks and a whole lot more. There are still thousands and thousands of C-7s still running around this country and most cities out there. No to mention, there were plenty of C-7s installed in Marine applications too.

Not to mention, while we do read of a FEW issues of the C-7 on here, not every one who owns a C-7 or even a motorhome, is a member of an RV forum. There are thousands that aren't. Cummins has had its share of "issues" too. Those that are Cummins savvy will know which models/versions have had issues.

But, as for a coach with a C-7, it's been said many, many times, if the coach has the layout, the color, the condition(s), the size/length, and any and all other features that are in the parameters of a search, to walk away from it due to it having the C-7, well, it's definitely THAT persons loss. There are many, many CAT service centers all over the place.
Scott

I have a 2003 Safari Cheetah with a CAT 3126 E engine. Now with 55,000 miles on it. Never have had a problem with it. Doesn't burn any oil. I tow a 2000 Nissan XTerra 4X4 which weighs 4,500 lbs, I get 7.5 to 9.0 MPG depending in the altitude and road conditions. My sweet spot is 57 MPH. Incredible engine. I have had 3 Cummins, a Mercedes and this CAT. I am sold on CAT.

According to my friend who worked for Ryder Leasing, the 3126 was a good engine. The C7 had several expensive to repair issues. I personally owned a 3126 that was in the shop only one time in 80K miles for an oil leak at the oil filter adapter. There is a service bulletin for that issue.