Seeking Input from Those with a CAT 3126 Engine

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Seeking Input from Those with a CAT 3126 Engine

February 03, 2018, 06:51:53 pm

I'm trying to calibrate the dipstick for my Cat 3126.

Initially I called the CAT hotline to get the total oil capacity since I suspected that the previous owner was overfilling. According to the first CAT rep the previous routine fills of 32-33 quarts were over the spec of 30 qts.

However, I had forgotten to get a low fill for a new add mark so called back and got a different rep. This guy first told me that 3126 engines didn't need the dipstick calibrated. When I explained that it wasn't the CAT dipstick he then gave me figures of 29 qts max and 2 qts. less, or27 qts., for add line.

Any of these levels is substantially below the indicators on the factory dipstick. In fact the 27 qt. add line barely makes it onto the stick.

Has anyone with the CAT 3126 engine calibrated their dipstick? If so, what numbers did you use for calibrating the two lines?

Thanks for any info you can offer.

Re: Seeking Input from Those with a CAT 3126 Engine

Reply #1 – February 03, 2018, 07:05:14 pm

Sorry, you have talked with two IDIOTS at Caterpillar.

From your engine serial number, they can tell you exactly what your crankcase oil capacity is.

What is your engine serial number, and perhaps I can get you the FACTS!

Re: Seeking Input from Those with a CAT 3126 Engine

Reply #2 – February 03, 2018, 07:40:52 pm

Thanks for the offer Brett.

The serial number is 01WM03995.

I'd appreciate any info that you could get, especially the two markers -- overall capacity and add oil levels.

Re: Seeking Input from Those with a CAT 3126 Engine

Reply #3 – February 04, 2018, 10:32:36 am

Bill,

With the WM series Caterpillar 3126 there were two pans available-- shallow and deep.

EASY to identify the difference. The shallow is stamped steel (i.e. a magnet will stick to it and it is smooth).

The deep pan is cast aluminum and has exterior ribs.

Official numbers are shallow sump= 19 quarts. Deep sump 29 quarts.

Again, a call to the Caterpillar RV Hotline with your engine serial number (tomorrow when they are open) will tell you which your engine has if you don't want to look under the coach.

Re: Seeking Input from Those with a CAT 3126 Engine

Reply #4 – February 04, 2018, 11:10:25 am

Thanks Brett:
My manual picture. Says 28 deep pan.....Is this 28 plus filter? Or 28 total?
PO owner said 32, and it hits the mark dead nuts.
I will be calling them
Chris

Re: Seeking Input from Those with a CAT 3126 Engine

Reply #5 – February 04, 2018, 11:28:05 am

Chris,

That is capacity including filter change. But, would not hurt to confirm the quantity with Caterpillar. They decreased fill quantities by a quart or two when they relocated the crankcase breather on later model 3126's.

And, as the document you posted probably says on the next page, DO NOT ADD OIL UNTIL OIL LEVEL REACHES THE ADD MARK.

Your picture does show the big difference between a shallow and deep sump-- very easy to identify!

I know the dipstick on our 1993 U240 Caterpillar 3116 was NOT correct-- it lead to over-filling the crankcase. That is why I calibrated it.

Re: Seeking Input from Those with a CAT 3126 Engine

Reply #6 – February 04, 2018, 11:46:28 am

Thanks Brett
I took my previous post down, because I didn't want to mislead anyone. This is a great discuss, a good reason for this forum.This may have made my day.
On this trip, after my 1st oil change of 32 qts (with Cat filter) which is what the previous owner told me was correct, I noticed at the 1st stop of 700 miles, that I was below the add line. I added 5 qts to get it back.
The rest of the trip, I calculated I was using about 1 qt every 100-150 miles. Not wanting to get below a safe place, I been dumping in 4 qts , every 400 miles or so, which brings it back close to full line.
I googled " excessive oil consumption". Sounded like maybe my injector O rings are leaking. I also noticed it has tons of blow by, but doesn't smoke out the exhaust, and the slurp tube is clean as a whistle.I decided to keep it full of oil, and deal with it when I got home. It runs fine.
Thank goodness the oil is on sale at Costco. I bought 3 case's in Crescent City.Won't know what change this will make, we are parked till next month.
I will be calling Cat hotline in the morning. they are very friendly and helpful.
Chris

Re: Seeking Input from Those with a CAT 3126 Engine

Reply #7 – February 04, 2018, 11:59:52 am

Grace,not sure what the o-rings would have to do with oil consumption,on the blowby try and get a reading on what your
crankcase pressure is,would do cold and hot.On the tube,trace it to where it goes in the valve cover and or where it goes in the engine and make sure if it has a screen it's clean.If the oil is not leaking or coming out the breather tube it's coming out the
exhaust.The Cat hotline is useful but your at the mercy of the luck of the draw as to who you get.

Re: Seeking Input from Those with a CAT 3126 Engine

Reply #8 – February 04, 2018, 11:59:57 am

Quote from: wolfe10 – February 04, 2018, 10:32:36 am

Bill,

With the WM series Caterpillar 3126 there were two pans available-- shallow and deep.

EASY to identify the difference. The shallow is stamped steel (i.e. a magnet will stick to it and it is smooth).

The deep pan is cast aluminum and has exterior ribs.

Official numbers are shallow sump= 19 quarts. Deep sump 29 quarts.

Again, a call to the Caterpillar RV Hotline with your engine serial number (tomorrow when they are open) will tell you which your engine has if you don't want to look under the coach.

Brett,
Thanks for the quick response.

Early on I did confirm, both visually and with the CAT RV Hotline, that my engine has the deep sump. Consequently, I guess the second rep in my original post was correct about the total capacity of 29 qts.

Unfortunately, while the previous owner left two engine operator's manuals with the coach neither seems to be correct. One is some kind of generic 3100 series engines which shows sump capacity of 33 qts. The other was for later 3126 B and E models which shows a 30 qt. capacity.

In your experience is it normal to have the "add oil" indicator line just 2 quarts below the full mark?

Thanks again.

Re: Seeking Input from Those with a CAT 3126 Engine

Reply #9 – February 04, 2018, 12:14:52 pm

Quote from: John44 – February 04, 2018, 11:59:52 am

Grace,not sure what the o-rings would have to do with oil consumption,on the blowby try and get a reading on what your
crankcase pressure is,would do cold and hot.On the tube,trace it to where it goes in the valve cover and or where it goes in the engine and make sure if it has a screen it's clean.If the oil is not leaking or coming out the breather tube it's coming out the
exhaust.The Cat hotline is useful but your at the mercy of the luck of the draw as to who you get.

Thanks for the info
Here is a gazillion reads on injector seal leaks, and excess oil consumption. It also reads in some places that it will cause excessive blow by. You may also notice Brett has posts on some of the blogs
I also talked to my mechanic at home. He has changed some Cat injector O rings for this reason
Realize on Cat engines, the injectors are under the valve cover, in with the rockers.Cats also use oil to create fuel pressure, unlike other engines.
CW

cat 3126 excessive oil consumption - Google Search

Re: Seeking Input from Those with a CAT 3126 Engine

Reply #10 – February 04, 2018, 12:40:45 pm

Yes, 2 quarts between add and full is common. But best to CALIBRATE THE ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK at the next oil change (it is free):

From an article I wrote many years ago for the FMCA Magazine:

CALIBRATING THE ENGINE OIL DIP STICK

We continue to see questions about oil "consumption" and oil on radiators and toads on the FMCA Forum and other RV websites. It seems to be universal across all brands of diesel engines.

THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE IS AN OVERFILLED CRANKCASE. CALIBRATING THE ENGINE OIL DIP STICK TO ENSURE THE CORRECT OIL LEVEL IN THE PAN "FIXES" OVER 90% OF THESE PROBLEMS.

If you "think" your engine has an oil consumption problem, you are seeing oil mist on your toad or you just want to verify that yours is correct; you need to verify that you are using the correct amount of oil. Note: the quantities listed INCLUDE the oil filter and is the total amount of oil you put in when changing oil and filter.

Now, CALIBRATE THE DIP STICK. Since the same engines/dip sticks are used in many different applications with different angles of installation, do not ASSUME that the dip stick is correctly marked. Calibration costs $0.

At the next oil change, drain oil, remove old filter (as usual). Then install the drain plug and new oil filter and add the engine's correct oil capacity LESS THE NUMBER OF QUARTS you want between the "ADD" and "FULL" marks (let's say 2 quarts). So for an engine with 20 quart capacity you would add 18 quarts. Run the engine a few minutes, shut off and wait until oil has descended into the pan (at least 30 minutes and an hour is safer). Pull the dip stick and use a file or dremel tool to mark the oil level "ADD". Add the remaining two quarts, let the oil settle in the pan, pull the dipstick and mark this the "FULL" mark.

In many/most cases, you will find that your engine "throws out" the access oil and then "consumption" settles down to next to nothing. Put in the correct amount and your "consumption" issues may go away.

This applies to all ages (including brand new) of motorhomes and boats with every brand of engine.

Also, when checking the oil level with the dipstick it is safest to do it in the morning after the oil has had all night to flow back to the pan.

Do not add oil until the level reaches the ADD mark.

Finally, make a sticker to affix near oil fill: OIL CAPACITY INCLUDING FILTER: xx QUARTS.

Re: Seeking Input from Those with a CAT 3126 Engine

Reply #11 – February 04, 2018, 02:04:41 pm

Many of the larger and older Cat engines also had a full/add mark on the dipstick to check with engine idling,was easy to check
the full level.

Re: Seeking Input from Those with a CAT 3126 Engine

Reply #12 – February 04, 2018, 02:25:55 pm

Quote from: John44 – February 04, 2018, 02:04:41 pm

Many of the larger and older Cat engines also had a full/add mark on the dipstick to check with engine idling,was easy to check
the full level.

Not so the 3126. It, like most other engines in RV's it is only checked after the engine has been off long enough for all the oil do drain back down to the pan.

Re: Seeking Input from Those with a CAT 3126 Engine

Reply #13 – February 04, 2018, 08:42:31 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – February 04, 2018, 12:40:45 pm

Yes, 2 quarts between add and full is common. But best to CALIBRATE THE ENGINE OIL DIPSTICK at the next oil change (it is free): ...

Thanks again Brett. You're correct about calibration. That was the reason that I started this query. I just wasn't getting consistent info.

I'll be marking the dipstick tomorrow for a 27 qt add oil mark and 29 qt full

Re: Seeking Input from Those with a CAT 3126 Engine

Reply #14 – February 05, 2018, 02:03:02 pm

Cat verified 29 qts full with filter......So like I said, been dumping in 4 qts, to bring it back to the full line again, almost exactly how much I am over filling it.
I'll change my manual I posted, that said 28 qts.
Thanks All

Re: Seeking Input from Those with a CAT 3126 Engine

Reply #15 – February 05, 2018, 09:38:03 pm

Quote from: gracerace – February 05, 2018, 02:03:02 pm

Cat verified 29 qts full with filter......So like I said, been dumping in 4 qts, to bring it back to the full line again, almost exactly how much I am over filling it.
I'll change my manual I posted, that said 28 qts.
Thanks All

You're seeing exactly the same situation that I suspected with the previous owner of my unit. He left a very good maintenance history that showed regular oil changes with 33 -34 qt fills.

I wonder just what damage that has done to the engine over the long term (of course with a 20 year-old coach, I'm not sure what the long term is

)

Re: Seeking Input from Those with a CAT 3126 Engine

Reply #16 – February 05, 2018, 10:09:20 pm

Bill,

Just speculating, but suspect the most damage is the "rust-proofing" of the back of the coach and toad (from excessive oil from the crankcase breather hose). That should not be enough over-filled to cause the crank to dip into it and cause aeration.

Re: Seeking Input from Those with a CAT 3126 Engine

Reply #17 – February 06, 2018, 01:11:19 pm

Quote from: BillO – February 05, 2018, 09:38:03 pm

You're seeing exactly the same situation that I suspected with the previous owner of my unit. He left a very good maintenance history that showed regular oil changes with 33 -34 qt fills.

I wonder just what damage that has done to the engine over the long term (of course with a 20 year-old coach, I'm not sure what the long term is )

LOL...I am 70 years old. Coach has 114K. I wonder which will give out 1st!
How was your blow by? does it smoke? Mine puffs really good, out the slurp tube, exhaust pipe doesn't. I have not drained the extra oil out yet. It also doesn't spit any out of the slurp tube, just normal. everything is clean, including mud flap and toad.
Chris

Re: Seeking Input from Those with a CAT 3126 Engine

Reply #18 – February 06, 2018, 01:14:39 pm

Quote from: gracerace – February 06, 2018, 01:11:19 pm

Mine puffs really good, tail pipe doesn't. I have not drained the extra oil out yet. It also doesn't spit any out of the slurp tube, just normal. everything is clean, including mud flap and toad.
Chris

Chris,

Could you explain that. Where are the "puffs" coming from if not the crankcase breather= slobber tube= slurp tube= the 1" ID open hose coming from the passenger's side of the engine.

Re: Seeking Input from Those with a CAT 3126 Engine

Reply #19 – February 06, 2018, 01:37:28 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – February 06, 2018, 01:14:39 pm

Chris,

Could you explain that. Where are the "puffs" coming from if not the crankcase breather= slobber tube= slurp tube= the 1" ID open hose coming from the passenger's side of the engine.

.

Yes sir....Lots of smoke coming out the "slobber" tube, open tube on passenger side. No oil, just smoke. More when cold, which could be normal, condensation is what I am told.
Agitating and embarrassing. One always thinks the worse....I.E. Rings, valve guides. But with 114K, that seems strange.I was tying the loss of oil in with this smoke. Till I read this post. Still could be connected.
Cat said smokie blow by is possible with the over fill of oil.They said have a blow by test taken, which I will do. I would think it would be spitting oil, if over filled. But I don't see 3 extra qt's that much over filled.
It is running smooth, no miss, which leads me to the injector 'O' rings leaking oil into the cylinders, which is a common thing on Cat 3126's. The scan should tell the story I hope. My drag Race friend is a diesel, jet mechanic, sharp guy. Silverleaf say's everything normal.
Chris
BTW, "Blowing Fat" Is what my friends call it in Australia!

Re: Seeking Input from Those with a CAT 3126 Engine

Reply #20 – February 06, 2018, 01:48:02 pm

Even with over-filling, most of the oil is captured in the fine mesh in the crankcase breather. But the vapor will still be oil-rich.

And, yes water vapor is the other normal by-product of combustion and is certainly more noticeable when it is cold out. Same for gasoline engines (out the tail pipe).

Re: Seeking Input from Those with a CAT 3126 Engine

Reply #21 – February 06, 2018, 01:54:30 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – February 06, 2018, 01:48:02 pm

Even with over-filling, most of the oil is captured in the fine mesh in the crankcase breather. But the vapor will still be oil-rich.

And, yes water vapor is the other normal by-product of combustion and is certainly more noticeable when it is cold out. Same for gasoline engines (out the tail pipe).

I plan to check that screen later today. I am also going to check the pipe out of the turbo for oil. We put a reman Cat turbo/waste gate/waste gate actuator on 3K ago. I doubt that is an issue.
Be glad when the whole drama is over.
Chris

Re: Seeking Input from Those with a CAT 3126 Engine

Reply #22 – February 06, 2018, 02:17:17 pm

While there could be a real problem, overfilling the crankcase WILL cause your symptoms. Start with the simple explanation first.

I would put in the correct quantity of oil, drive it until the oil level reaches the (real/calibrated) add mark (noting number of miles), then see how many more miles it is until oil level drops another 1/2" on the dip stick. THEN evaluate what you have.

Re: Seeking Input from Those with a CAT 3126 Engine

Reply #23 – February 06, 2018, 03:02:43 pm

If you mean the output side of the turbo oil you would have known something was wrong about 2999 miles ago.The Cat remans
are pretty good products.

Re: Seeking Input from Those with a CAT 3126 Engine

Reply #24 – February 06, 2018, 03:25:53 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – February 06, 2018, 02:17:17 pm

While there could be a real problem, overfilling the crankcase WILL cause your symptoms. Start with the simple explanation first.

I would put in the correct quantity of oil, drive it until the oil level reaches the (real/calibrated) add mark (noting number of miles), then see how many more miles it is until oil level drops another 1/2" on the dip stick. THEN evaluate what you have.

Thanks Brett
Exactly what I plan to do. I had just added oil to the full line, which I am 100% positive is 3 qts too much (32 including filter) this check is after it has been sitting 2 days.
I plan to drain, measure 3 qts. out, and drive it. Won't know for a month, until we leave. For others future info, I will re-post then
Chris

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