Cat 3126 engine failure

[captfrank]

Well Just got a knee replacement so I was not able to go but my buddy took the boat last Thursday and on the way back heard a loud bang and lots of noise from port engine so immediately shutdown.

Upon further investigation found the oil level way high and no antifreeze in the tank but some in expansion tank at normal level. Decide to remove the head. Found a huge hole in cylinder wall AFT bore. Only 2600Hrs on these engines and I bought the boat off a buddy that put these engines in so I have been on the boat most of these 2600 hrs and its been taken care of changing oil before the Cat 250 hr cycle (have always used Cat oil from day one) , cleaning coolers every couple years etc.

We where told by a rebuild shop this is normal failure of Cat 3126. The injector fails apparently open and puts a bunch of fuel in cylinder and thus can not compress and blows out the cylinder. We had no warning etc on this or any maintenance that injectors should maybe be changed at 2500hrs to avoid this (looked on net could not find anything). I'm really disappointed with CAT as my buddy bought this boat with the 3116 CATs that had the soft blocks and thus blew one up about same hrs back in 2003 and put these new engines in. They don't seem to be reliable and a lot of money for engines (he paid over 50K to install these in 2003) that only seem to last 2600hrs or so. They should last like 8k if taken care of or more.

In any case anyone know where might be the bets place to get a re-manufactured engine?

[dougl33]

Oh man, that sucks. Sorry.

Any thoughts on what you'll do? Repower or replace? I feel really bad for your buddy too. He must've shit his pants.

[captfrank]

Likely do a long block. It's like $6800. But will likely costs 10K+ before done with us doing the work.

[dougl33]

That plus the cost of changing all of the injectors in the other engine for good measure.

[captfrank]

well got new engine in, more like $15k with new injectors, turbo and prices increased form CAT.

Have an alarm going off (took impeller out running on land) , tiring to trouble shoot not sure what it is all sensors seem to measure same as other engine.

Also Tach not working. Can't figure that one out either. Even swapped with other engine and gaped same way and nothing.

[dougl33]

Good luck sorting it all out!

[captfrank]

well it the rebuild blew again. This time the valve seat on #5 came out. Builder says he will make good on it.

[Capn Tony]

Oh Geez,
Well at least they will make good on the repair. Sorry to hear the news.

[captfrank]

Well the guy is backing out of it. Says the value seat came out due to aftercooler failure of some metal coming out of it. We had it cleaned and checked and no leaks etc so I think the guy is looking to get us for another $15K.

[dougl33]

Shit. That stinks.

[captfrank]

he says the aftercooler failed. We had it cleaned and checked by place CAT uses in Glenn Burnie MD area.

[Rick]

Sad to hear Frank. What HP 3126 is it ?

[captfrank]

350hp