Community Forums

TheCatsRV · 02-25-2021, 06:36 PM

I'm looking to buy an older Triple E Empress with a Cat engine (1996 chassis date).

It's got a 3216 CAT engine paired with an Allison 3060, with a bit under 120,000 miles on the clock.

Are there any issues I should be particularly concerned with and to look out for (or have the dealer look out for)?

Thanks in advance

MO Fred · 02-26-2021, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCatsRV

I'm looking to buy an older Triple E Empress with a Cat engine (1996 chassis date).

It's got a 3216 CAT engine paired with an Allison 3060, with a bit under 120,000 miles on the clock.

Are there any issues I should be particularly concerned with and to look out for (or have the dealer look out for)?

Thanks in advance

Suggest you get an oil analysis done before buying. I don’t have that motor so I’m not familiar with any other potential problems.

hex nut · 02-26-2021, 10:47 AM

Triple E builds an excellent coach. Good luck with your purchase. That vintage of CAT motor should be the last of the 3116's or the first of the 3126's. Basically the same motor, 7.2 liter displacement later called the C7. I had a 3126 in a 1998 chassis. CAT issued a technical bulletin to replace the flexible oil line to the HEUI pump with an all metal version (check to make sure it has been done). The only issue I had with that motor was a tendency to have low oil pressure after the engine got hot. I solved the issue by running synthetic 5W50 motor oil. The synthetic oil maintains its viscosity at higher temperatures thereby maintaining adequate oil pressure.

Enjoy your motorhome.

Richard

hex nut · 02-26-2021, 10:58 AM

Addition to my previous comment: HEUI (Hydraulic Electrical Unit Injectors) motors are really picky about clean engine oil since they use the engine oil to hydraulically activate the fuel injectors. Always use the CAT high-efficiency oil filters. They are the only ones that guarantee filtration down to the 2 micron level required by the HEUI pump. Replacing a HEUI pump is quite expensive, so taking care of them is a good investment. Regular oil changes and good quality oil is a requirement to keep these beasts happy.

Richard

TheCatsRV · 02-27-2021, 09:56 AM

Thank you. Unfortunately the RV was pulled. Was going to check it the next day (day you replied) but was informed by the dude selling it that he didn't know his parents who own it had agreed to sell it within family. Unit was a '98 Triple E Empress owned by the 2nd owners since '05 and garaged.

I did read about the HEUI line replacement in the thread. All academic now until I find another (affordable for me) Cat-powered DP.