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RanchoT · 04-17-2014, 10:41 PM

I have a 1997 Beaver Monterey with a Caterpillar 3126 rear diesel engine. I bought it used and this is just my second year with it. Last year, when I had the oil changed they said that they put in 32 qts, this year I had Camping World change the oil and the said they put in 20 qts. I look up the oil levels in the 3126 maintenance manual and they have listed amounts from 16 qts to 35 qts with out explaining which engines has which. I suppose there are all kinds of uses for this engine that ends up with different pan sizes.
I was wondering if there is a standard pan size for class a motor home application. Motorhome is listed as the very light application.
Does anyone have an idea how much oil my engine requires? Thanks John at RanchoT@msn.com

Shadow0120 · 04-18-2014, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RanchoT

I have a 1997 Beaver Monterey with a Caterpillar 3126 rear diesel engine. I bought it used and this is just my second year with it. Last year, when I had the oil changed they said that they put in 32 qts, this year I had Camping World change the oil and the said they put in 20 qts. I look up the oil levels in the 3126 maintenance manual and they have listed amounts from 16 qts to 35 qts with out explaining which engines has which. I suppose there are all kinds of uses for this engine that ends up with different pan sizes.
I was wondering if there is a standard pan size for class a motor home application. Motorhome is listed as the very light application.
Does anyone have an idea how much oil my engine requires? Thanks John at RanchoT@msn.com

Try posting in power train under Caterpillar.

RayJr · 04-18-2014, 05:15 AM

Cat or Freightliner should be able to tell Ya. Mine takes 27qts. You realy need to find out whats right. Good luck

wb7auk · 04-18-2014, 06:58 AM

Call Cat with your engine serial number and they will tell you the correct amount.

StevenH · 04-18-2014, 07:00 AM

Their are two different pans on the 3126 used in the Beaver. A shallow or deep pan. The shallow pan takes 19 Quarts the deep pan takes 27 Quarts. The deep pan has ridges on it's side the shallow pan is smooth.

These levels were changed from the original fill levels 21 and 33 (approximately). This was due to excess blow by out the crankcase vent.

If not already done by PO you should "recalibrate" the dipstick.

Procedure is

Drain all oil
Add 14 or 22 quarts (shallow or deep pan)
Mark stick as "Add"
Add 3 More Quarts
Mark stick as "FULL"
Start Engine for One Minute
Wait ten Minutes
Refill to Full Mark (approximately two Quarts for filter)

You now have the correct capacity.

When checking oil don't bother to add until it reaches the "Add" mark. Some engines find a spot below the full level that they like and will stay there for many miles. Constant "topping off" seems to just use a lot more oil.

Steve