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Topic: Cat 3116 Reliability & Performance? (Read 1310 times) previous topic - next topic

Cat 3116 Reliability & Performance?

Hello All,  I am the proud new owner of a 1994 U-240 Grand Villa with 77K Miles. It is powered with the Cat 3116 T (Mechanical) 250HP and 6-Speed Allison. The Cat Had an In-Frame rebuild 3K miles ago at a Cat Facility. I Currently have a Surge and shut off at low idle, otherwise it runs fine. Will be taking it to Cat facility next week for service. What type of reliability and performance have you experienced with this engine?

Re: Cat 3116 Reliability & Performance?

Reply #1 –
150,000+ miles on our 1993 U240/3116, no issues.  Wonder if they set the rack when they did the work 3,000 miles ago (also wonder what work was needed at that low mileage) .

Driven reasonably, you should get 10 MPG.

Brett
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Cat 3116 Reliability & Performance?

Reply #2 –
HI Brett, Engine was rebuilt due to Previous owner running engine while over heated. I have all documents and invoice on rebuild.  Symptoms were two cylinders missing and excessive blow-by. After Bore-A-Scope inspection and Head removal it was determined that cyl. #5 had broken intermediate ring. All pistons got new rings, bearings. Head was completly rebuilt and two fuel injectors were replaced. Reset Rack, Valves and Injector Timing. Performed CutOut Test And engine ran correctly. Invoice for this rebuild was $7,300.00. As you stated, I was told by Cat that the Rack probably needs reset, or could be governor. The engine starts to surge up and down at low idle then shuts off. It will also shut off when comming to a stop. At higher speeds, RPMs, it runs fine. I was concerned with the low milage failure. Glad to hear your Cat has served you well.

Re: Cat 3116 Reliability & Performance?

Reply #3 –
I once had a number of 3208s in the fleet and they were all reliable engines.  These were in municipal service, dump trucks that snow plowed so pretty harsh treatment.  One truck was turned over with the engine still running and when we righted it we drove it back.  Another lost all its oil to a damaged oil-pan (idiot operator kept going) that one survived with a rebuild.  Individual engines will have their quirks but if it was serviced on a regular basis and not abused it should be fine.


Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Cat 3116 Reliability & Performance?

Reply #4 –
Hi Kieth, thanks for reply. I am familiar With the older Cat 3208 in Marine applications. I live on the Cheasapeake Bay in MD and I am a avid lifetime Bay and Ocean Fisherman (Angler). Many 3208's & 3116's are used in Cheasapeake Deadrise Boats as well as OffShore Boats, usually in twin engine designs.  They perform well in the harsh marine environment. I find there aren't many qualified people to repair them; in my situation it requires special Cat tools to set the rack and the governor is fairly difficult to work on.  I Just purchased the 94 U240 a month ago and have throughly enjoyed learning all the systems and appreciating the quality of the coaches construction. The coach is in excellent cond. and has been well maintained. It has six new tires and the original AC units were replaced with new Carrier units. I bought the unit to go on fishing excursions. I have a 26ft boat on a triple axle trailer, total weight 7,500 lbs. Trailer length 35'. Wondering if U240 could tow it and legality of overall length. Planning on using seperate tow vehicle for boat but wondering if anyone has seen a setup of large boat being towed?   

Re: Cat 3116 Reliability & Performance?

Reply #5 –
Jeff, Dont laugh, but I have been down the road asking about how long a trailer you can tow behind your 40' RV.  I can assure you there are VERY few people that know the RIGHT answer, have asked state police, they have no idea, they said to go to the highway division office and ask, they have no idea, they said to call the head quarters in Richmond, got hold of a very old sounding woman who claims "If it is a boat, the total length of boat and RV can not extend beyond 55' " , If not a boad, you can tow a 53' trailer vehind your RV. Think about that for a minute, so I hung up and forgot it.
Realize, no one knows or cares I figure.

Re: Cat 3116 Reliability & Performance?

Reply #6 –
I think Dave may be right. I spent 20 years as a deputy sheriff and never once made a stop or checked combined length.

When we were in N. New Mexico in August there was a couple with a 1 ton, 4 door Dodge long bed PU, a 36' fifth wheel trailer pulling 14' cargo trailer. As I recall she said they were 83' overall and had never had a problem driving all over the Western US as far east as Texas.

There have been discussions regarding this issue on the forum last year. One of them listed several resources with the real answers to your question. As I recall, the OAL where there was a limit ranged from 65' to 75'. It varies from State to State. My guess is that the enforcement in the Eastern states will be harsher than in the West.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Cat 3116 Reliability & Performance?

Reply #7 –
Quote from: jeff snyder –
I have a 26ft boat on a triple axle trailer, total weight 7,500 lbs. Trailer length 35'. Wondering if U240 could tow it and legality of overall length. Planning on using separate tow vehicle for boat but wondering if anyone has seen a setup of large boat being towed?   

You can check at http://www.towingworld.com/articles/TowingLaws.htm
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Cat 3116 Reliability & Performance?

Reply #8 –
Hey Guys, I have been pulled over and checked by Transportation Authority Police before towing boat over Major Bridges such as the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and other bridges. There is a maximum boat beam width of 9ft allowed before a special wide load permit is supposed to be required, no one seems to know how to obtain it or have it. My boat beam width is 9'6" and it fits perfectly on trailer that is 10' wide and it tows beautifully, brakes on all six wheels. Trailer is tagged and registered. Ironically, police allow me to continue across bridges and have stated that I would be mailed a warning letter which have never been sent.  I have never been questioned about length.  The exciting thing for me is that the areas along the Mid-Atlantic down to the Cheasapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel where the Cheas. Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean all have camp grounds where we launch our boats. Instead of staying in motels we can set up camp in the Foretravel. May also attempt a trip to West Palm Beach FL to visit my brother and fish of course.  Funny thought, I have never seen or can envision the Foretravel launching the boat at the boat ramp.

Re: Cat 3116 Reliability & Performance?

Reply #9 –
Barry, Nice display, but think you need an update list as Virginia no longer has the 65' limit unless your on a back road. On the Interstate and US highways, there does not seem to be a published length standard.  Have seen 53' Trailers behind conventional tractors that had an 18' apartment for a sleeper.  Have not measured one, but know they were way over 65' and on one seemed to care.  Interesting our United States, every state is a separate country when it comes to traffic laws

Re: Cat 3116 Reliability & Performance?

Reply #10 –
Its interesting that Kansas publishes a 65' limit but FedX pulls triples on I-35 at 113' as I recall. Maybe interstates are exempt.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback