3126 Cool weather start

[cataska]

Also using the block heater and battery boost in cold wheather is easier on the starter.

[G jeffers]

Use the block heater, that's exactly what it's for.

[wmiii]

Originally Posted by cataska

Also using the block heater and battery boost in cold wheather is easier on the starter.

Just a follow up:

Got up about 4, to go to bathroom, turned on block heater.
When we started the engine, cycled ignition 3 times for glow plugs (?), Used battery boost and she fired right up!
All was good.

Thanks for ideas,

WM Mayberry

[SKI COACH]

Originally Posted by Tahoejeep

I’ve had no trouble starting my 3126 down into the teens, without running the block heater and no black smoke or hard starting. I run Rotella T6 5W-40 engine oil for easier winter starts. We typically leave Northern Minnesota end of January for Arizona, so I set myself up for winter weather by leaving fuel at about 1/2 empty until #1 diesel becomes available about December 1, then filling the tank with straight #1 to give myself 50/50 mix. If I had electric in the storage shed I would certainly use the block heater!

Do you know that CAT recommends not to use multi-viscosity oil...

[Cat]

Originally Posted by SKI COACH

Do you know that CAT recommends not to use multi-viscosity oil...

Caterpillar has recommended multigrade and advised against using anything but multigrade oil for a long time. Where are you getting that information?

[Cat]

Hard starting can be the sign of injectors getting worn. In fact that is the first sign of injector wear, hard starting. Using the block heater will help. Make sure you are using the correct fuel filter for your engine. If not using CAT fuel filter make who ever you are buying them from is using the correct crossover. And make sure if you or your tech is prefilling the filter they are doing it correctly- because they aren't that will wipeout a set injectors fast.

[SKI COACH]

Originally Posted by Cat

Caterpillar has recommended multigrade and advised against using anything but multigrade oil for a long time. Where are you getting that information?

I have twin 3126 engines in my boat of 12 years...

The table in Caterpillar's Fluid recommendations bulletin shows that both SAE 30 or 40 are acceptable. The difference depends upon the ambient temperatures you operate in. I am a bit further north than Tom but essentially at the same temperature level. I use SAE 40 just because I think the heavier oil is a better choice for the high summer temps we get in Florida, but both are acceptable


The Following is from Cat publication SEBU6251-13 which has been superseded a time or 2 but is still valid:

Generally, use the highest oil viscosity that is available to meet the requirement for the temperature at start-up.
Refer to the “Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures” tables for guidance. The oils that have the higher oil viscosity will maintain the highest possible oil film thickness.


Ambient Temperatures
MIN MAX
SAE 30 32 104

SAE 40 41 122

I am not likely to be doing much boating below 41˚F and we do see temperatures at or near 100˚ in the summer so it isn't much of a stretch to see than my engines are located where the ambient temperatures easily reach 120˚ or more in the summer. Therefore, I figure that SAE 40 is a better fit for me than SAE 30. Remember, we don't have a lay up period….our boats stay in the water and are used year round.

[Cat]

Originally Posted by SKI COACH

I have twin 3126 engines in my boat of 12 years...

The table in Caterpillar's Fluid recommendations bulletin shows that both SAE 30 or 40 are acceptable. The difference depends upon the ambient temperatures you operate in. I am a bit further north than Tom but essentially at the same temperature level. I use SAE 40 just because I think the heavier oil is a better choice for the high summer temps we get in Florida, but both are acceptable


The Following is from Cat publication SEBU6251-13 which has been superseded a time or 2 but is still valid:

Generally, use the highest oil viscosity that is available to meet the requirement for the temperature at start-up.
Refer to the “Lubricant Viscosities for Ambient Temperatures” tables for guidance. The oils that have the higher oil viscosity will maintain the highest possible oil film thickness.


Ambient Temperatures
MIN MAX
SAE 30 32 104

SAE 40 41 122

I am not likely to be doing much boating below 41˚F and we do see temperatures at or near 100˚ in the summer so it isn't much of a stretch to see than my engines are located where the ambient temperatures easily reach 120˚ or more in the summer. Therefore, I figure that SAE 40 is a better fit for me than SAE 30. Remember, we don't have a lay up period….our boats stay in the water and are used year round.

This is a little misleading for people using engines on the road and heavy equipment . SEBU does give that information BUT it is a Specialty oils for marine engines. So this is a specially formulated oil marine oil. see attached.
When these engines 3116 3126 (before they were HEUIs) first came out Caterpillar had a lot of problems with the top and secondary ring getting heavily built up with oil residue. This also occurred on the large Cat engines 3406-3408-3412-3416 and caused heavy carbon build up on the valves. Caterpillar has recommended nothing but multi weight oils for all of their on highway and heavy duty engines for along time. Because of the above problems and improved fuel mileage
Specialty oils for marine engines are a different animal. Safe Travels-- Safe Boating

[twinboat]

We had 10 Cat powered machines including 3412s and the newer 1000 HP, C27s.

All used multiweight oil.