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CAT 3208 hours

For those that have them, how many engine hours on your CAT 3208?  Has anyone had an overhaul done on one?  Been researching this and it's all over the place.  Folks on the boat forums claiming 5-10K on both 3208 turbo and NA.  Just wondering if anyone here has 5K or more on their CAT 3208.  Found a nice 36' GV approaching 4K hours/165K miles and wondering what the future might bring if I had to replace the engine.  Thanks in advance for the input; this is a great group of experienced folks!!     

Re: CAT 3208 hours

Reply #1 –
You probably already know this, but it's a simple test and easily overlooked in its importance.  Start the engine, loosen the oil filler cap and allow it to sit on the opening.  Observe it's action and ask yourself whether or not blow by is causing the cap to float on the flow of combustion gasses.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: CAT 3208 hours

Reply #2 –
30,000 gal of fuel or 6000 hours whichever occurs first according to cat. Roll in crankshaft bearings at 3600 hrs if necessary. Coach engine is probably not run as hard as other uses.$1200 for pistons, rings, rod bearings, main bearings, and gaskets. 9k long block. I was thinking roll the rod bearings at 150k, may have seen that on the bluebird forum.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: CAT 3208 hours

Reply #3 –
Quote from: mikenovember –
For those that have them, how many engine hours on your CAT 3208?  Has anyone had an overhaul done on one?  Been researching this and it's all over the place.  Folks on the boat forums claiming 5-10K on both 3208 turbo and NA.  Just wondering if anyone here has 5K or more on their CAT 3208.  Found a nice 36' GV approaching 4K hours/165K miles and wondering what the future might bring if I had to replace the engine.  Thanks in advance for the input; this is a great group of experienced folks!!     
Boat engines usually have the HP turned way up and the TBO is much shorter. Assuming that the coach you are looking at has had it's oil changed, etc, it could easily go much, much longer. Unless it's using oil, the usual yardstick is how well it starts. Because of the high compression, all diesels have a certain amount of blow by. You can also send in an oil sample to see what parts of the engine are wearing. Our 300SD is approaching 500,000 miles with nothing but oil changes. Starts as well as when it was new. Same with power. 165K is not much for a well maintained 3208.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: CAT 3208 hours

Reply #4 –
I believe I have seen posts where a 3208 logged over 400k in a coach during my research.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: CAT 3208 hours

Reply #5 –
 I have 3700 hrs@ 144k , with very little blowby. Lights off under a full revolution. 
 Uses a little oil 1 qt per  800-1000miles maybe . Great engine so far.  Good oil pressure, 40ish idle, 50-60 cruise. synthetic .
  Ilove it. 
 I would look at any 3208 powered unit. 

Re: CAT 3208 hours

Reply #6 –
Mike a Texas customer bolted on a  twin turbo marine top end to a 250 cat.

Only got on it in high gear.

95k miles since the add on. 

Galveston area marine shop did the work.

If I owned one I would find a way to put it on
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: CAT 3208 hours

Reply #7 –

FYI,  Cat 3208's are on the California No No list and cannot be registered there
1988  40' Grand Villa Cat 3208t

Re: CAT 3208 hours

Reply #8 –
In a rv? Passenger plate? 
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: CAT 3208 hours

Reply #9 –
Quote from: NancyS –
FYI,  Cat 3208's are on the California No No list and cannot be registered there
No problem registering an out of state RV with a 3208. State of CA smog for diesels: https://www.smogtips.com/diesel-smog-test.cfm

Excerpt:
Diesel Smog Test Exemption: The DMV does not require a California emission inspection (smog check) for the following types of vehicles:

Any diesel car or diesel pickup truck which is 1997 model year or older.
Any diesel truck which weights over 14,000 GVWR.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: CAT 3208 hours

Reply #10 –
Interesting.  So our 97 is exempt.  Hmmmm. 
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4
 

Re: CAT 3208 hours

Reply #11 –
In Oregon if your Motorhome is 25 years old you can get a Permanent Plate for $80.00 and never be bothered again for fees.
1988  40' Grand Villa Cat 3208t