How to turn up a cat

[big block 88]

You obviously have a hard on for the "Yellow" engines not sure why? To expensive I would guess as they do cost a pretty penny to purchase and have Cat work on them but you get what you pay for. There is no bowing down here I won't even run an A3 for the simple reason I don't like CTIS and the auto trans. Bit I still like the trucks plenty and if I had the green backs I would own one. We have all MF in our fleet but our company trucks run 3126 and 3116 2 are over 220K miles and have had (as far as I know 0 issues).

You are correct with all engines having issues, the early 12 valvers had head and head gasket issues, the 24 valvers had lift pump and injection pump issues, Duramax and Cummins common rails had there issues with injectors (01-04.5 LB7) duramax's had more than cummins in my opinion) and then tere are the post 7.3 powerstroke issues like the 6.0 disaster, and early HPOP issues.

What I am getting at is, what are the issues you have seen in the 31 series cat's??? Anything common or are they random???

 

[big block 88]

I was refering to the inferior cast cranks and main web problems they had before the rights to the design changed hands at the end of the centery.
Also, I did NOT say that cr diesels are junk.

Never said you did I was asking the question if in your opinion they would be due to the injector related issues??

 

[SMOKEWAGON66]

this thread ALMOST fits the decription of a "cat fight" doesnt it?

 

[ODdave]

You obviously have a hard on for the "Yellow" engines not sure why? To expensive I would guess as they do cost a pretty penny to purchase and have Cat work on them but you get what you pay for. There is no bowing down here I won't even run an A3 for the simple reason I don't like CTIS and the auto trans. Bit I still like the trucks plenty and if I had the green backs I would own one. We have all MF in our fleet but our company trucks run 3126 and 3116 2 are over 220K miles and have had (as far as I know 0 issues).

You are correct with all engines having issues, the early 12 valvers had head and head gasket issues, the 24 valvers had lift pump and injection pump issues, Duramax and Cummins common rails had there issues with injectors (01-04.5 LB7) duramax's had more than cummins in my opinion) and then tere are the post 7.3 powerstroke issues like the 6.0 disaster, and early HPOP issues.

What I am getting at is, what are the issues you have seen in the 31 series cat's??? Anything common or are they random???

Nope, I have a hardon for tits and trucks. I work on everythig from aveos- frieghtliners everyday for what seems like all day. There all junk in there own right. I just get sick of certain people that seem to eat, breath and sleep yellow. I have not will NEVER see me preach that one particular engine or brand is the best.

All this s*** is irrelivent to the OP's question so i am going to delete & edit my posts.

 

[big block 88]

I apologize for coming off like a dick, just after some facts. No offense intended.

 

[wreckerman893]

How many mult-fuels can you buy for the price of one Cat?

We all have opinions and are free to voice them....my opinion of the A3's is, and always will be, that they were designed by a moron after consulting with a group of idiots (or retired Transportation Officers).

You can't gold plate a turd and you can't take a 40 year old vehicle and upgrade it to modern standards without wasting a ton of the taxpayers money. The A3 was a stopgap measure to modernize the fleet when funding for the military was low.

After 9/11 the floodgates opened and the military had a blank check ( I know this to be true because I saw some of the dumas things the military spent money on while I was mobilized). Why do you think the M915/M916/M920 family was replaced so quick with more whiz bang vehicles that are a nightmare to maintain because they had to adhere to stupid environmental regulations.

I you like the A3's more power to ya.......you're just going to have to learn to live with the limitations like we do with the A2's.

If you want to turn the fuel to the pussycat do so at your own peril...and post pics of successes and failures.

 

[KsM715]

All right guys tone it down a bit or its all going to disapear

 

[Travis89xj]

We should probably try to help the original poster get his truck running good. Probably as recommended you should start with fuel filters and such. maybe try to put a pressure gauge on?



I have had powerstrokes, idi 7.3s, 6.5s, duramaxs, cummins, multifuels. They all have their little issues (not a big fan of any of the new diesels with tons of emissions) but they all have that great exhaust smell. I love any kind of diesel!

 

[rwbrown72]

First thing to do is to give it two full turns to the "Fuel" screw. Then go and find a really long hill. Next, drive at full throttle up the hill with a full load in the bed and look in the rearview mirror. If the cars behind you with automatic headlights turn on the lights from the smoke cloud, you have it just right. If no lights.... give it two more turns on the "Fuel" screw and repeat the driving portion of these instructions. The TM is for "ARMY" types... we don't need that in the "real world", do we?


















Don't flame me dorks! This is a joke!

 

[PowerstrokeNC]

Mine runs really strong on the hills, I can accelerate up to 50 miles an hour in no time going uphill... it sounds like you have another cause, most likely fuel like others have said, usually the culprit is the fuel filter and or old fuel that has been sitting in the tank depending on how long you have had/driven it.

 

[shovelheadmike]

I know it was probably told a 100 times but could somebody help me out It is a Dog on hills Thanks Kevin

That does not sound right. Mine goes the same speed on the flat, up hill, and down hill. (unladen)

 

[CobraCDR]

Here we go again with the A2 vs. A3 game... if you don't have an A3 or haven't worked on one, be professional enough to not spread the b.s. and incorrect information about them. Stick to sharing your knowlede of the components common to the A2 and A3.

 

[PowerstrokeNC]

I would change the fuel filter it is less than 20 bucks if I remember correctly form CAT, it is spin on so easy a caveman could do it.
Then before running I would drain the old diesel out (there is a drain plug directly under the fuel tank) then dump in some fresh Diesel.

This will take less than an hour and cost about 80 bucks, depending on how much fuel you dump back in.
Probably in 98 out of 100 cases this is what is causing the problem.

Good Luck.

 

[3dAngus]

Yeah, you shouldn't be having any problem going uphill, downhill, or on level ground. No problem outside of the 52mph top speed at 2800rpms that is.

Check all filters. Something is starving it and you probably don't notice it until it is stressed. It will probably get worse if not properly addressed.

 

[spicergear]

The 1160 and 3208 V8 CAT's got a poor nick name of "throw away engine" because they were not liner engine with replacable sleaves. Lots and lots out there, loved, hated, pushed to limits in twin turbo high hp marine versions...it really boils down to their history and who loved them or not.

 

[Coalman]

Ok thanks for the help I guess I will change the filters can somebody give me the part numbers and how many air filters one or two and also is there one or two fuel filters It is late and dark so numbers would be easier then climbing around with a flashlight Thanks again guys this site is great

 

[swbradley1]

You can also add SeaFoam to the tank after you put the new fuel in.

 

[nk14zp]

Copied from The diesel place.
"It is rather simple. Remove the valve cover, at #1 rocker stand one of the bolts will hold down a smal metal cover. Remove the bolt and cover. In between #1 & #2 rocker stand will be a small jam nut and screw on the rack bar. To increase rack travel on the injectors turn the screw counter-clockwise. Retorque bolt back to 22 ft. lbs

To advance inj. timing slightly break loose inj. lock nut on center rocker. Turn in the adj. screw roughly 3/4 of a turn. This should put you at advanced side of the spec for the engine/inj. combination."
How do you turn up a 3116 cat - Diesel Place : Chevrolet and GMC Diesel Truck Forums

 

[Coalman]

I went and checked my air filter today and it looks brand new white as can be I see no reason to change it but will be changing the fuel filter (how many fuel filters are there one or two Is there a primary and secondary or just one Thanks Kevin

 

[Westex]

I have a 3126 Caterpillar in a 923 and if the configuration is the same, the water separator filter is first in line from tank to engine and on my truck is located driver side just in front of the fender. The filter sits on top of the drain can. The secondary filter is located on driver side of the engine and can be plainly seen. This response is kind of shot in the dark, though, as you have a 3116 cat which may be .....completely different, I don't know. I post this because my cat choked right after I bought it and was driving it home and the filter(s) change gave it new life.