Caterpillar 3196 and C12 Lawsuit Update - January 11, 2009

[Deep C]

I think I saw a post about nissan recall or something but not having a nissan I probably passed it real quick...

What you bring to the table here is potentially good stuff... We have a lot of people involved or looking to be involved with bigger engines...

No, don't tailor the posts to anyone... Enrich em with detail that John Q Public can equate to... I filleted volvo years back. They screwed me and I ate em alive... Its a full time job doin that though... Gave play by play on line...When the names of the players got dropped they squirmed... Enough got named and their specific roles played out in public had them jump. All info was accurate and to the point so no inferrence could be made toward libel or slander... New engines and three months of my life I got back soon followed...

[Younger]

C-7 UPDATE:

Bad HEUI pump. This will be the third on for that truck....137k miles.

[Younger]

From the CAT website:

" C7 7.2L Mid-Range Engine: Pure Value
Maximum Mid-Range Versatility

Superior durability based on proven 3126E components
A new Caterpillar® built HEUI oil pump, along with Cat exclusive "leak-free" technology, provide unsurpassed reliability
Lower emissions and decreased engine noise from Caterpillar patented HEUI™ fuel system
Enhanced performance from electronic wastegate-controlled turbocharger "

You mean to say that my engine didn't have "leak free technology"???

[Storm]

My intent isn't really to bring anyone's name to the fore front or point fingers. I'm just reporting the news as I see it. I can squeak like a mouse or bark like a dog all I want, and Cat can't help me even if it wants to. If it did, it would be undermining the class-action. That doesn't stop them from sending me a whole bunch of cool cat cash to shut my mouth. I offered to do that after I met with Cat's attorney. He didn't take me up on the offer. Too bad, sooo sad.

I don't blame anyone in particular for the problem with these engines. If Cat knew how to fix the problem, it probably would have years ago. I think the company was in a rush to get engines on the market that met current EPA emissions guidelines, and didn't take sufficient time to test their product. As I understand it, the only aftercooler validated by the manufacturer was the original. None of the sub sequent aftercoolers received validation. The marine market became the test. Unfortunately, the test failed and a bunch of us guinea pigs have to contend with the consequences. The product was defective and Cat needs to make good. The company argues that it has. My bank account and I say it hasn't. That's where we stand today. Storm

[Storm]

Is this something you are taking on yourself or this a true class action law suit!>

i see the numbers on the amount of aftercooler going south but how many people are included in this and if so are you all going after cat seperately or simultaneous as in class action law suit!>

I don't know of anyone going after Cat seperately. I've seen figures from 4,500 to 10,000 involved in the class-action. I believe this is the number of engines, not owners. A number of owners have two engines. I gather from previous conversations with the class rep that he wasn't really supposed to put an exact number on the class size. I also asked him how many chose to opt out. Again, top secret and classified. I don't have a security clearance. I understand it was very few. Mostly, those that do business with Cat such as boat dealers. At risk of being extremely redundant and offending Mr. Deep, details of the class-action are available on my website including the class notice and expert witness reports.

By the way, feel free to visit my comment page where few dare to tread. If you happen to think Cat makes the best products ever built in the good ol' USA and say so, I won't delete your post. I might exercise my option and try to convince you otherwise.

I welcome people with a difference of opinion. Controversy is what makes the world revolve.

Storm

[Storm]

From the CAT website:

" C7 7.2L Mid-Range Engine: Pure Value
Maximum Mid-Range Versatility

Superior durability based on proven 3126E components
A new Caterpillar® built HEUI oil pump, along with Cat exclusive "leak-free" technology, provide unsurpassed reliability
Lower emissions and decreased engine noise from Caterpillar patented HEUI™ fuel system
Enhanced performance from electronic wastegate-controlled turbocharger "

You mean to say that my engine didn't have "leak free technology"???

There used to be such a thing as "truth in advertising." Unfortunately, our country has become so accustomed to deceit and scandal that they've become the norm. We've learned to expect it from those that represent us. When politicians in this country do something wrong, we just turn our heads and look the other way.

Caterpillar openly admits that it had issues, big issues, with its early version 3196 engines - eighty to ninety percent failure rate. Yet, the company continued to advertise the product as; "reliable, with a proven marine track record." That's my gripe. I don't care if you like Caterpillar engines or not. The company has continually lied to consumers in order to fatten its corporate purse strings. Consumers have had to pay the price in the form of defective engines that were falsely advertised.

Storm

[Storm]

This guy on Fox News this morning had a novel idea. He sent a bill to his phone comany for a little more than $5,000 because he was frustrated at ongoing interruptions in his service. The phone company cut him a check. Maybe I've been taking the wrong approach all along. It might be that simple. I've never actually sat down and written Caterpillar a bill for my repairs, downtime expense, and replacement engine cost. I'll do that today and let everybody know how I make out. This might have saved considerable legal fees and generated goodwill for Cat.

Storm

[TMc]

Hi Storm
I'm glad you posted about the Cat suit. At one time I thought a Cat 3196 would be a good choice for my boat other than the aftercooler problem it might have been but I'm glad I did not get one. And it is mostly thanks to you. Unfortunatly most engine manufacturers are having problems with their engines also. It seems John Deere may be having less problems than most. Thanks for your updates
Tom

[Storm]

Hi Tom,

Thanks for your input. I'm waiting for some current news to post an update. Last I heard, class lawyers are waiting for a new trial date.

In the past week my website was visited by: Caterpillar (Singapore), Caterpillar (Peoria, Illinois), Beijing (not sure if this was Cat), Germany (maybe Cat's Marine Engine Division), Hong Kong, and Jiansu, Suzhou, China. The site is definitely bringing some attention to the engine problems. Plenty of visits to my site from my local Cat dealership, Cat's Illinois plant, and Cat representatives throughout the world. Yet, nobody wants to step up to the plate and properly address my engine issues.

As for John Deere engines, we have a few in local lobster boats and they seem to be trouble free. I think it was the 300 hp version that had a few turbocharger issues early on (when the engines were first released to the market), but Deere was quick to take care of the problem at no cost. I think it was the 220 hp version that had some issues with the harmonic balancer where it attaches to the drive shaft. Other than that, I'm not aware of any other issues with Deere engines. In my opinion, John Deere has the most reliable marine engines on the market. I understand the company spends considerable time testing its product. If I ever build another boat from scratch, John Deere will be my first engine choice.

Storm

[softcrab]

I had 3196 engines installed 1997.

Followed by C-12s' in 2002.

All 4 required major rebuilds prior to warranty expiration.

I am inthe class. I have no idea what the outcome will be.