Cat 3126B Diesels

JRJBfishing · 11-05-2008, 08:06 PM

OK, what's your experience with these??

Performance, reliability, service, etc...

Thanks!

capt jeremy oc · 11-05-2008, 09:38 PM

I have run 3 boats with 3126 Cats all three were DOGS. Very slow performance out of hole, run high RPM to get power, and engines smoked a lot. The maintenance was relatively easy but had to buy a special Cat oil designed for the 3126 engine and if was expensive. But if there is a major problem it's a lot to tear on of these engines down. Its a badly designed engine in my opinion I would go with a Cummins engine any day over the Caterpillar.

seapower · 11-05-2008, 11:56 PM

There's alot to fill in here as can be expected. Your going to run into some that may have had good experience. Just had a customer today with a good running Cat ,that asked for a quote on a Cummins 330 B. The Cummins B&C series engines have good power, are economical, and are very owner friendly. But I might add that any engine is only as good as the "service" support if you have a problem.Frank, SeaPower
ps. PM me if you like.

Questsportfishing · 11-06-2008, 07:49 AM

When the cats came out strong the new motto was "If it's not a Cat ..It's a Dog! Cummins Yanmar volvo everyone is building great power plants now days you just have to figure out 'weight - gear - horsepower - prop' balance. hire a cat mechanic for a cpl hours to see whats up. usually it will be worth every penny.

shoefish · 11-06-2008, 01:58 PM

We have 3126s in the Albemarle 31 and they are the tits. Strong running, no smoke, economical, and I love the purrrrrr

Questsportfishing · 11-06-2008, 02:38 PM

...The more you pat 'it'... the more it 'purrrs'... you will never win! opps thats right we are still talking motors."

Seapower are you doing any of the Cummins re-con power re-powers??? the prices and warrantees are very good and parts for years.

algdog · 11-06-2008, 02:56 PM

I know one guy who put 1200hrs on a set before they blew up
he replaced them with cummins diamond series.

the only other guy I know with these motors is on his 5th engine in a 34 luhrs in 8yrs, the last two replacements had him threatening lawsuits with attorneys hired to do the work and cat finally settled.

bad engines all around IMO

capt jeremy oc · 11-06-2008, 09:00 PM

I will say a good friend had a 32 Albermarle with the 350HP 3126 cats and they ran great. The 350HP 3126 engines seem to run better then the 420hp 3126 Caterpillars. Granted the 420HP engines are in bigger boats.

seapower · 11-06-2008, 09:23 PM

I'm a Cummins dealer here in Eastern, NC. Yes I've got a few in the works right now. The re-con product is what I sell and recomend the most. The older boat re-power's and the like for like re-power's are a no brainer IMO. The newer boats that have the evironmental (emission) constraints are the more complicated. It's hard to beat the older, friendlier, mechanical engines day in and day out. Simplier is better. Frank, SeaPower

Questsportfishing · 11-09-2008, 08:46 AM

But as for the re-cons they are just a tits up engine and the company stands by them 100% ... glad to hear you are doing them. 1 thing I will add is that most people who do these re-powers need to get someone like you to install them for proper instalation and for the warrantee. I have to hand it to them they built a great engine. we are looking at a 38' Bertram now for re-power.

11-05-2008, 08:06 PM	#1
JRJBfishing Pit Monkey First Class Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 21 Credits: 1,373.8	Cat 3126B Diesels OK, what's your experience with these?? Performance, reliability, service, etc... Thanks!

11-05-2008, 09:38 PM	#2
capt jeremy oc Master Baiter Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ocean City, MD Posts: 49 Credits: 1,297.9 Boat: Wave Dancer 39 Venture --Oasis 68 Viking Home Port: Ocean City Maryland Occupation: Captain 100Ton Masters -- Boat Monkey	Craperpillers I have run 3 boats with 3126 Cats all three were DOGS. Very slow performance out of hole, run high RPM to get power, and engines smoked a lot. The maintenance was relatively easy but had to buy a special Cat oil designed for the 3126 engine and if was expensive. But if there is a major problem it's a lot to tear on of these engines down. Its a badly designed engine in my opinion I would go with a Cummins engine any day over the Caterpillar. Last edited by capt jeremy oc; 11-05-2008 at 09:41 PM.

11-05-2008, 11:56 PM	#3
seapower Sit down Shut up And fish Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bath,NC Posts: 495 Credits: 2,161.8 Boat: 25' DownEaster Home Port: Bath, NC Best Catch: My wife Occupation: marine diesel service owner	What horsepower, what application? There's alot to fill in here as can be expected. Your going to run into some that may have had good experience. Just had a customer today with a good running Cat ,that asked for a quote on a Cummins 330 B. The Cummins B&C series engines have good power, are economical, and are very owner friendly. But I might add that any engine is only as good as the "service" support if you have a problem.Frank, SeaPower ps. PM me if you like.

11-06-2008, 07:49 AM	#4
Questsportfishing Crab mustard is good Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Posts: 629 Credits: 2,198.7 Boat: 28' Custom Bertram Home Port: Port Everglades Best Catch: the one that makes people smile! Occupation: Sport Fishing Captian	check up on your gear ratio, props. and engine settings! When the cats came out strong the new motto was "If it's not a Cat ..It's a Dog! Cummins Yanmar volvo everyone is building great power plants now days you just have to figure out 'weight - gear - horsepower - prop' balance. hire a cat mechanic for a cpl hours to see whats up. usually it will be worth every penny.

11-06-2008, 02:38 PM	#6
Questsportfishing Crab mustard is good Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Posts: 629 Credits: 2,198.7 Boat: 28' Custom Bertram Home Port: Port Everglades Best Catch: the one that makes people smile! Occupation: Sport Fishing Captian	Just remember.. ...The more you pat 'it'... the more it 'purrrs'... you will never win! opps thats right we are still talking motors." Seapower are you doing any of the Cummins re-con power re-powers??? the prices and warrantees are very good and parts for years.

11-06-2008, 01:58 PM	#5
shoefish Chum Nuts Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Portsmouth NH Posts: 4,713 Credits: 3,300.1	We have 3126s in the Albemarle 31 and they are the tits. Strong running, no smoke, economical, and I love the purrrrrr

11-06-2008, 02:56 PM	#7
algdog I practice safe fishing Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 73 Credits: 1,356.0	I know one guy who put 1200hrs on a set before they blew up he replaced them with cummins diamond series. the only other guy I know with these motors is on his 5th engine in a 34 luhrs in 8yrs, the last two replacements had him threatening lawsuits with attorneys hired to do the work and cat finally settled. bad engines all around IMO

11-06-2008, 09:00 PM	#8
capt jeremy oc Master Baiter Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ocean City, MD Posts: 49 Credits: 1,297.9 Boat: Wave Dancer 39 Venture --Oasis 68 Viking Home Port: Ocean City Maryland Occupation: Captain 100Ton Masters -- Boat Monkey	350 HP or 420 HP???? I will say a good friend had a 32 Albermarle with the 350HP 3126 cats and they ran great. The 350HP 3126 engines seem to run better then the 420hp 3126 Caterpillars. Granted the 420HP engines are in bigger boats.

11-06-2008, 09:23 PM	#9
seapower Sit down Shut up And fish Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bath,NC Posts: 495 Credits: 2,161.8 Boat: 25' DownEaster Home Port: Bath, NC Best Catch: My wife Occupation: marine diesel service owner	Capt. Quest, I'm a Cummins dealer here in Eastern, NC. Yes I've got a few in the works right now. The re-con product is what I sell and recomend the most. The older boat re-power's and the like for like re-power's are a no brainer IMO. The newer boats that have the evironmental (emission) constraints are the more complicated. It's hard to beat the older, friendlier, mechanical engines day in and day out. Simplier is better. Frank, SeaPower

11-09-2008, 08:46 AM	#10
Questsportfishing Crab mustard is good Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Posts: 629 Credits: 2,198.7 Boat: 28' Custom Bertram Home Port: Port Everglades Best Catch: the one that makes people smile! Occupation: Sport Fishing Captian	Thanks Sea !!! I don't really think that most know about that..! But as for the re-cons they are just a tits up engine and the company stands by them 100% ... glad to hear you are doing them. 1 thing I will add is that most people who do these re-powers need to get someone like you to install them for proper instalation and for the warrantee. I have to hand it to them they built a great engine. we are looking at a 38' Bertram now for re-power.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode