cat engines -- Buzzy's Question and Answer Forum

[ Show ]

Support VoyForums

[ Shrink ]

VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

05 /19/ 26, 4:47pm

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, [4], 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ]

Subject:

cat engines

Author:
jim

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 06/ 10/ 08, 9:50pm

I have been looking a BB and it seems that most of the cat engines have been overhauled, or replaced at low mileage,
can someone tell me if these are undersized, underpowered,
or have just been abused. I hesitate to invest in one if I am going to have to replace the engine soon after I get it. Or should I look for one that has been replaced already and hope it lasts.

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> Subject: Re: cat engines
Author: Tim [ Edit \| View ]	Date Posted: 06/ 13/ 08, 10:52am I have wondered the same thing. I had a mechanic tell me to stay away from the Cat engines and stick to Detroit. I wonder why so many Cats get rebuilt when they should go for several 100K miles. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> [> Subject: Re: cat engines

Author:
Bill Garamella
[ Edit | View ]

Date Posted: 06/ 18/ 08, 7:06pm

I am a relative newbie but, I have been following the various Wanderlodge formums for over a year. Based on this, I certain see reference to DDs being rebuilt as often as Cat's. The difference seems to be that the DDs can be overhauled in place (in-frame).

I also see comments about many coachs sitting around too much and some coach owners not maintaining them properly.

For example, I think overhead adjustments (valve lashing) on the 3208 is supposed to be done at 1,200 hours. This reguires removal of the dog house which is inconvinent. I suspect some people don't bother.

I have heard many stories of the 3208s being every bit as dependable as the DDs if they are serviced properly.

NH Bill 1983 FC SB

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: cat engines
Author: Bill [ Edit \| View ]	Date Posted: 06/ 20/ 08, 10:55am Yep many motorhome engines are rebuilt with low milege, This could be good or bad meaning; some owners of old Cat or DD did not take proper care of their machine and one must wander what else was not cared for...????/ Our 3208 purrs like a Cat should and 20 years old. [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: cat engines

Author:
Sam
[ Edit | View ]

Date Posted: 07/ 8/ 08, 4:06am

Harvey's Column:
Among the Bluebirds produced and still on the road, there are a goodly number still with the 3208 in use and in several versions. They range from the 210 hp naturally aspirated 3208 to the turbo charged 300 hp and a couple of versions in between. The engine was originally designed by Caterpillar for use in medium sized work vehicles such as dump trucks, and busses, and other items like road repair machinery. It is often called the �throw away engine� because it does not have the piston sleeves larger caterpillars have, and lacking these, if you have engine problems and badly score your piston walls, the engine block may have to be discarded and replaced. The engine can however be successfully overhauled and many hours of service has proven that it really is a tough one! Tough as it is however, the cat 3208 needs tender loving care to be a long performer and to maintain its full power though its service life. Most knowledgeable will quickly tell you that the service life is around 300,000 miles if care is given.

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: cat engines

Author:
Don
[ Edit | View ]

Date Posted: 07/ 8/ 08, 3:19pm

The simple truth is that 20+ years after new, on many coaches, there is no way of knowing for certain what level of care has occurred over the history of the rig; or if there were years with no use or service. Let alone if something bad has occurred and not corrected. You have to be nosey, check and look at everything, and know that it still could go badly wrong. Even well cared for rigs do brake down. The difference between then and now is that most of us on this forum are not millionares...

Don

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]