Community Forums

Steve,N,Jan · 06-30-2020, 03:37 PM

We were looking at a few DP in the '99-'03 years powered by Cummins and CAT diesel. I asked a Mechanic about the CAT 330hp engine... he said they were known to egg shape the cylinders.another man I talked to said he thinks they are prone to over heat. which would explain the cylinder statement.
What are your opinions and is there a way to add an auxiliary fan ?

I do understand that the advice I have been given are from Hard worked Commercial truck applications.

Skip426 · 06-30-2020, 04:03 PM

During the years in question, I cannot say I’ve heard any complaints of cylinders giving trouble in the Cat engines in motor home applications.
Main issues revolve around fuel injection systems in both brands .
Caterpillar with the HEUI pumps , Cummins with the VP-44 on the 5.9 ISB, and the CAPS on the 8.3 , ISC.
Caterpillar seems to have straightened things out with the C-7 HEUI, and Cummins with the switch to HPCR.
93,000+ on my Cat no issues with cylinders.
Overheating usually tracks back to the rear rad not being cleaned often enough.
Edit, I guess I should explain the acronyms.
HEUI, Hydraulic Electronic Unit Injection
CAPS, Cummins Accumulator Pressure System
HPCR, High Pressure Common Rail
VP-44 , A Bosch injector pump that Cummins used , from mid 98 to 03. Fragile to say the least!

mrboyer · 06-30-2020, 04:12 PM

I agree about needing to clean rear radiator at least yearly. I had a Cat 3126B 1999, probably really a 1998. Zero problems. I have a 2005 Cat C-7. Did have over heating, but have found a great way to clean rear CAC and radiator as suggested by FREIGHTLINER. Motor home weighs 24,600 and 6.7 miles per gallon.

Outbound · 06-30-2020, 04:43 PM

My last coach (2000 Safari) had a Cat 3126, ZERO PROBLEMS, good motor, its all in the maintenance.

NCC-1701A · 06-30-2020, 04:51 PM

I had a 3126B in my 2002 Journey. Five years, no issues at all. I had the 350 C-7 in a 2007. Again, no issues at all. My SIL manages the shop for an OTR trucking company. He's a very solid mechanic on all aspects of big rigs. For the normal kinds of milage on motorhomes, his opinion was that both were solid engines. When he talks about "early" problems in engines it's usually in the context of 750,000 miles!

Steve,N,Jan · 06-30-2020, 05:44 PM

Thanks all that is relief ! one less thing to have to consider in my search

tommar · 06-30-2020, 05:52 PM

I have no real preference between CAT and Cummins. My boat had twin 3208 naturally asperated CATs. I would like to point out that CAT stopped making over-the-road engines in 2010 due to problems with emissions compliance. Thus, since 2010 there are neither 18-wheelers or motorhomes with new CAT engines. I've heard that it is getting hard to find CAT-authorized service for the OTR CATs. Parts are not a problem at this time.