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Best Place for Complete Engine Re-Build ?????? (Cat 3126)

September 03, 2013, 07:35:10 pm

Local diesel shop in N. GA informs me my 97 Caterpillar 3126 in our 97 U295 has a badly damaged 6th cylinder. Inspected same with compression test and camera. Owner of the shop tells me if he takes out my engine, re-builds it and replace it ...$17,000! If he takes my engine out, and re-place it with a Jasper factory rebuilt ... $15,000! He has advised me not to drive it.
Is this the usual cost for a re-build?  Can anyone advise me where they might have had a re-build, or know of a reputable place to have a major overhaul, and what the costs normally are?
My wife and I are Missionaries, need the RV for our Ministry, but don't have that kind of money. Our Mission Board has set up an account for us for donations that come in for us towards the engine repair.

All suggestions and advise are surely appreciated .... Thanks

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Re: Best Place for Complete Engine Re-Build ?????? (Cat 3126)

Reply #1 – September 03, 2013, 07:56:54 pm

That is in the ball park. I know of a DD that had to be rebuilt and it was an old two stroke but it was 15000.

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Re: Best Place for Complete Engine Re-Build ?????? (Cat 3126)

Reply #2 – September 03, 2013, 08:55:50 pm

Unfortunately, your CAT does not have replaceable liners like the Detroit 2 cycles and will probably need to be removed to be overhauled. CAT parts are also very expensive compared to Cummins and Detroits. What exactly does the shop say went south on #6? Before I would pay $17K, I would look around a bit as this price is not even close to what RV dealers or others in the industry would pay for an overhaul or an exchange engine. Your rear access is not bad and a decent shop should be able to do an R&R for not that much if you have a replacement engine. Here are a few examples of your CAT engine on ebay: Cat 3126 Engine | eBay. They are a LOT less expensive.  You need to bring yourself up to speed in a hurry or find someone trustworthy to help you. Not saying this is the case but sometimes if a shop does not want you to drive the vehicle, it's to make sure they get the job.  How about symptoms when you noticed the problem?

Pierce

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Re: Best Place for Complete Engine Re-Build ?????? (Cat 3126)

Reply #3 – September 03, 2013, 09:16:29 pm

Call CAT dealer. Try to get Brett Wolfe to chim in...

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Re: Best Place for Complete Engine Re-Build ?????? (Cat 3126)

Reply #4 – September 03, 2013, 09:36:00 pm

Brett knows a lot about those Cats. I would solicit his advice one the best approach. 

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Re: Best Place for Complete Engine Re-Build ?????? (Cat 3126)

Reply #5 – September 03, 2013, 10:23:04 pm

Check with a Caterpillar dealer.  I know, because I have seen it at Mustang Caterpillar in Houston that there is an aftermarket company that comes into Cat dealers, overbores and installs a liner in the damaged cylinder.  Yes, it involves removing the head, but is no where near the cost of a new/reman engine.

Let me know if your local Caterpillar dealer is not familiar with the process and I will get you the name of someone at Mustang to visit with (or just call Mustang Caterpillar's truck shop): (800) 794-8785 or (713) 861-0777.

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Re: Best Place for Complete Engine Re-Build ?????? (Cat 3126)

Reply #6 – September 04, 2013, 08:37:55 am

Jayncat,
Call Robert Cowan at American Truck Repair in Conyers, GA.  I don't know if he can Direct you to a shop or not but he runs a fleet of trucks and I have had good luck with him working on my Foretravel. His number is 404-561-1908. There are any number of truck suppliers in the Atlanta area and if nothing else he may be able to direct you to one that can help.
Tell him the guy with the MH with Disc brakes gave you his number.
Good luck.
Gary B

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Re: Best Place for Complete Engine Re-Build ?????? (Cat 3126)

Reply #7 – September 04, 2013, 08:53:15 am

Thank you so much for all of your quick replies. You have given me alot of helpful information! I appreciate it. I will make all these calls today! It's nice to see a silver lining in this dark cloud over us!

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Reply #8 – September 04, 2013, 11:11:19 am

How about a used engine from a RV dismantler? Lots of rigs with accidents or fridge fires.

Another source might be Blackwater Engines in Virginia. They look good on paper and do a lot of CAT work. Remanufactured Automotive, Industrial, Marine and Agricultural Diesel Long

Pierce

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Re: Best Place for Complete Engine Re-Build ?????? (Cat 3126)

Reply #9 – September 04, 2013, 01:23:31 pm

The sleeving was done by one of my old customers on the same 3126 long ago.  Seems at least in his that cylinder(s) failed twice.

Steve and Mary Light.  Wonder if anyone has seen them?

Bob

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Re: Best Place for Complete Engine Re-Build ?????? (Cat 3126)

Reply #10 – September 04, 2013, 07:07:15 pm

A lot of CAT rebuilders won't sleeve the 3126 dry block  If the machine work is done correctly, it can work fine. The problem is transferring heat from the sleeve into the block without getting hot spots. Hot spots mean the cylinder will no longer be exactly round nor will it have the correct "choke." The problems may not show up under low power operation but long grades require max hp output with lots of heat over a longer period.  Perhaps a sleeve is why the cylinder failed twice in the above post. While CAT does not offer oversized pistons for the 3126, other rebuilders do (0.020) so it is possible to bore the block. Check with CAT specialists here for the reason CAT does not offer oversized pistons.

I looking at other forums, I can see the engine R & R is about $1750 with another $6000 or so for a remanufactured 3126 engine. A $1000 core charge until the old engine is returned is normal. No credit if rod through side of block.

Cylinder failure is not indicative of a bad engine model but a couple of things do come to mind. Turbo seal failure can easily cause high combustion temperatures leading to melted pistons, broken rings, etc. The easiest way to prevent failure is to not turn off the engine when reaching the top of a grade or pulling hard for any length of time. Resist the temptation to shut down at the top of the mountain for lunch or that photo op. A slow idle is also out. 5 minutes of fast idle (1000 rpm) will bring the turbo and engine oil temperature down to the point where the oil will not try to refine itself into "coke." Synthetic oils are the only lubricants that will not form coke.

Broken injector tips can also cause high combustion temperatures and piston/ring failures. Water in fuel may cause the tip to fail when the water expands as it turns to steam and blows the tip off. Not much to do to prevent this other than keeping fuel filters clean and checking for water in the bowl.

Pierce

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