Community Forums

jefkar · 04-21-2015, 10:55 AM

I have a 1998 National Tradewinds with a 300 turbo Caterpillar engine with 82,000 miles with no problems. I was talking to a Salesman at our local dealer and he said that the Cats have a overheating problem. I want to know if that is true.

stink · 04-21-2015, 11:10 AM

Mine hasn't. The only overheating problem I have herd is a dirty radiator and cac with a rear rad.

Mr_D · 04-21-2015, 11:12 AM

Not any more than any other engine. As stink says, keep the radiator and CAC clean though.

bruceisla · 04-21-2015, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stink

Mine hasn't. The only overheating problem I have herd is a dirty radiator and cac with a rear rad.

Same here ... not necessarily a CAT problem... just a radiator/cac issue.

Rook · 04-21-2015, 11:17 AM

Overheating on CAT engines can be caused by oil droplets from the slobber tube plugging the lower half of the rear radiator. Once clogged, it is VERY difficult to clean with ordinary efforts. The radiator shroud and the AC evaporator makes it poorly accessible. CAT had a mod that extended the slobber tube rearward, past the radiator vents. Search SLOBBER TUBE on this site for fixes. Rook

myshaggydog · 04-21-2015, 11:21 AM

I was told that the diesel's turbo charger in a Cat will overheat when under a heavy load such as going up a Mountain Road or long haul. I have a 2005 Newmar Dutchstar with a Cat 7 350 engine. A tech at the dealer ship told me anytime I run under such conditions as above, I should let the engine cool down before shutting off. Not sure if you have the turbo charger but those instructions were for anyone with a turbo charger on their engine. The turbo charger can get red hot and needs the time to cool down or will eventual fail. Hope that helps. Good luck and happy RV'ing.

DDDonkey · 04-21-2015, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myshaggydog

I was told that the diesel's turbo charger in a Cat will overheat when under a heavy load such as going up a Mountain Road or long haul. I have a 2005 Newmar Dutchstar with a Cat 7 350 engine. A tech at the dealer ship told me anytime I run under such conditions as above, I should let the engine cool down before shutting off. Not sure if you have the turbo charger but those instructions were for anyone with a turbo charger on their engine. The turbo charger can get red hot and needs the time to cool down or will eventual fail. Hope that helps. Good luck and happy RV'ing.

This is true but for any engine, let it idle for 5-7 minutes and you will be fine. The reason it can hurt a diesel more is the oil that is in the turbo can cook and clog the lines, so letting the engine idle will circulate the oil and cool the turbo. They actually make turbo timers to help with this, but save your money and just idle the engine for a few minutes. Also this is only needed if you have been running the engine hard with a pretty good load.

sgtjoe · 04-21-2015, 05:26 PM

My Cat 300 3126B overheated pulling small grades in the warmer weather right after I bought it in Nov 2004. It was not fitted with the extended blow-by tube from the dealer who sold it to me. After having the CAC and Radiator pulled and steam cleaned in July 2005 and the modified blow by tube installed I added more tubing so that the blow-by is now hanging out the back. I also use dawn soap and a pressure washer on my CAC and radiator once a year, especially if I've been on dirt roads. Since that time my Cat 300 has not overheated even pulling Baker grade on I-15 heading to Las Vegas in July/August pulling the Toad. I think the salesman was full of engine blow-by.

pledbett · 04-22-2015, 09:43 AM

I have never had any overheating of mt Cat 330 Turbo but I service my radiator and CAC annually and have extended the slobber tube. As far as cool down that applies to any diesel engine. I have been working with diesel farm equipment most of my whole life and that is just a part of the shut down procedure.