Caterpillar 3126b engines

[charlie_good_ti]

I have always respected Caterpillar an Cummins Diesel engines but since we lost a rv totally to fire we are looking for a replacement .Some are powered by the above mentioned Cat engine an reading different Fotums an various other places i get feeling this is not a good engine an some will even say avoid it.Anyone have personal experiences? I am talking about 1998-----2003 year production engines.

[Bucky1320]

Nothing in the procedure looks like it couldn't be done in the coach on mine. I have a 98 on a Magnum chassis. 300hp. I find it quite spirited even with the race trailer behind us.

[FIRE_UP]

Yep, I too would like to know just which coach(s) that have a CAT engine, would have to have that entire engine pulled, just to change injectors. There's a few posts on here from folks who've needed to have the HEUI pump and injectors replaced and, not one of them ever mentioned that entire engine had to be removed for the process.
Scott

[bluwtr49]

conceptumator wrote:
I won't claim to be an expert, but my friend that takes care of the mechanics for us is most certainly what I would consider expert. When looking for our new RV, his words of advice to me were that both Cat and Cummins were great engines, but steer away from the Cat. The main reason, as I understood it, was with long term maintenance, specifically the injectors. From his description, replace of the injectors on the Cummins was simply that - pull out the old ones and put in the new ones. BUT...on the Cat, it appears you actually have to pull the entire engine out to replace the injectors. While the cost of the injectors in about the same, pulling the engine to do the work results in an additional cost of up to $6,000. Again, this is second hand to me from someone I trust, so please check and verify. I would suggest just calling a couple of Cat and Cummins dealers and getting an estimate for replacing the injectors and see what they tell you. Good luck!

This certainly does not sound accurate...never heard of such a thing. It would be interesting for you to go back and ask what particular MH he has had to do an engine pull to access the injectors. Let us know please.

[wolfe10]

Sorry, never heard of pulling either a Caterpillar or Cummins to change injectors.

I guess it could happen if a coach maker provided zero engine access.

[conceptumator]

I won't claim to be an expert, but my friend that takes care of the mechanics for us is most certainly what I would consider expert. When looking for our new RV, his words of advice to me were that both Cat and Cummins were great engines, but steer away from the Cat. The main reason, as I understood it, was with long term maintenance, specifically the injectors. From his description, replace of the injectors on the Cummins was simply that - pull out the old ones and put in the new ones. BUT...on the Cat, it appears you actually have to pull the entire engine out to replace the injectors. While the cost of the injectors in about the same, pulling the engine to do the work results in an additional cost of up to $6,000. Again, this is second hand to me from someone I trust, so please check and verify. I would suggest just calling a couple of Cat and Cummins dealers and getting an estimate for replacing the injectors and see what they tell you. Good luck!

[charlie_good_ti]

Thanks for all the replies an none negative.They ease my mind imensely.

[lj2654]

I have a 3126B Cat engine in my Beaver DP. 43000 miles and nothing but service. I did have the valve lash adjustment done at 30,000 miles...

[badboy368]

I gotta say.... I love mine. 28,000lb coach pullin a 14,800lb 37' trailer, and she takes me wherever i want to go..:B:B

[wolfe10]

Well, ALMOST out of the On The Road Business:

http://www.cat.com/en_US/products/new/by-industry/on-highway-truck.html

[RayChez]

I have the 3126-E Cat engine with 60K miles on it, and it has been a very good engine.
Difference the B engine had was the oil pan was a deep pan and took a lot more oil then the shallow E which holds 19 quarts. But you can not go wrong with a Cat engine. When I bought the coach brand new the engine had five years unlimited mileage warranty.

[wallynm]

We have a 02 DSDP with the aforementioned 3126 with a little over 92,000 miles. No significant issues. Cat is still maintaining them but there are out of the OTR business right now.

[howdy35]

I have a 1999 3126B with only 85,000 on it. I run Amsoil and change about every 10,000 miles with no problems yet. It takes me where I want to go whether it be in the Rockies or down to Florida. We get 8.5-10.0 mpg depending on driving conditions. If it has been taken care of, it should give you many miles of happy camping. Best to you on your search.

[gswcgi]

I have a 3126E Cat in my 2003 DP.Superb engine. I've had Cummins 903's in a commercial fishing boat and sold it with over 5,000 hours on them when I sold the boat and they ran 24/7 for weeks at a time, naturally aspirated V-8s, great engines. Also had a Mercedes diesel, didn't care for it too noisy. Now also have a Cummins 5.9 in my 2003 Dodge, absolutely a masterpiece of a diesel engine! You won't find a better piece of equipment than anything CAT puts their name on. Great company.

[Teacher_s_Pet]

106,000 miles on our '06 Phaeton with a C-7, so far just normal maintenance to the engine proper. Have had fuel line problems at the fuel tank, a loose fan belt and a burned out exhaust elbow, but those are Freightliner items I believe.