caterpillar 3126 engine

[6t56]

Anyone have a truck with a cat 3126 in it?I'm looking at a crane with one,i've read a lot of bad stuff and also some good stuff about them.Any opinions?

 

[Winterbush]

I have one in the bucket truck and had several issues when I first got it. I bought it used from a larger dealer. As I was getting ready to shoot it and replace it with a new engine, the CAT mechanic told me it is CRUCIAL to chance the oil frequently and be aware of the the fuel you run in it. Since then I haven;t had any major issues. At this moment I don't think I will tell you to stay away from one as I've heard all the different brands of engines are having problems and you can get a good one or a bad one from anybody. Good luck.

 

[treecareinc]

We owned one and it was a pain. I also felt that when we had problems it was expensive for parts. We sold this truck in 03 or 04... so it has been awhile.

I have been very happy with:

DT 466

Duramax

Hope that helps...

 

[surfarmer1]

I'm with the DT 466 breaks in at 200,000 miles, Great engine, common and tried and true.

 

[dieselcutter]

the 3116 and 3126 cats are ok but they have some serious drawbacks. First they are parent bore engines which makes them either not rebuildable or a huge pain if you can find a shop to do it. The second is they are unit injectors that are a pain to set timing and or diagnose an air leak if one comes up or change an injector. Power wise they are ok but not nothing to write home about and you risk big ramifications if you turn them up. They definitely don't live up to the caterpillar heavy duty engines. If its a good deal and running well not a deal breaker but not the cream of the crop.

The DT466 is by FAR a better motor if you can get one. About the best medium duty engine made.

 

[6t56]

The dt 466 is definitely a proven engine.I'm looking for a newer crane,no more than 5 years old.But they all have either a cat 3116,3126,or c-7 all of which are known to have problems.I have found a freightliner with a mercedes MB4000 engine,I've done some research on these engines and they seem to be the best in this class.They have some of there own minor problems and i've heard parts are expensive,but there life expectancy seems to be far better than the cats.Try to find a 23.5 ton crane no more than 5 years old that doesn't have a crap engine in it,go ahead i dare you

 

[treecareinc]

[ QUOTE ]
the 3116 and 3126 cats are ok but they have some serious drawbacks. First they are parent bore engines which makes them either not rebuildable or a huge pain if you can find a shop to do it. The second is they are unit injectors that are a pain to set timing and or diagnose an air leak if one comes up or change an injector. Power wise they are ok but not nothing to write home about and you risk big ramifications if you turn them up. They definitely don't live up to the caterpillar heavy duty engines. If its a good deal and running well not a deal breaker but not the cream of the crop.

The DT466 is by FAR a better motor if you can get one. About the best medium duty engine made.

[/ QUOTE ]


Now I know why you are "Dieselcutter"... good info!