Cat 3116s - How do these look?

[Boca_Vincent]

Hello Gents,
After having a deal fall thru last month on a ‘99 Tiara 3500 due to moisture issues, I am in discussion with a broker about a 2000 370 express cruiser.

Said vessel is located in Mystic CT, which is remote to me, so extra work involved in to make a deal happen. The broker texted me a few photos of the engines, because they had been “forgotten” to be included in the listing ad. I think I see why…

This is not quite what I expected to see compared to what is shown topside, which looks immaculate. And the broker insists that the boat shows better than in pictures. Broker states that both engines were replaced in ’05 while under previous ownership and all that work was documented by HO Penn, a local Cat dealer. Also, that maintenance is up to date, although we did not get into specifics there, with 600 hours on these engines. He has not personally sea trialed the boat.
So, before engaging him any further, I wanted to see if I could get some opinions. I am not familiar with Cats, so much as the Cummins I had in my previous boat. Your insight is appreciated.

Hopefully my imgr links work. Thank you.
Vince

 

[Boat Guy]

Hard to say from the picts....Not sure why the top gauges are bent over...They shouldn't be...

But, IMO, these pictures will show you nothing and a survey is your answer. Are you saying if someone painted them you would feel more confident? I think that's a false hope...Anyone can take a can of paint and hide things.

 

[PMC]

That ER has a incredible access....im shocked this is in a Sea Ray!

Bilge needs a cleaning and engines need a coat of paint. Looks like a few parts have been replaced on the genny (expected). Belt, heaters, oil sender......IMO, if you have maintenance history, that will be a good start point.

 

[Boat Guy]

That ER has a incredible access....im shocked this is in a Sea Ray!

....

My SR has similar access....

 

[fwebster]

It is unfortunate that some owners never pay attention to their engine rooms, never wash t. hen, never vacuum them and never tough up the paint. Photos like this normally indicate that the owner hasn't paid a lot of attention to maintenance, but the engines do have Caterpillar filters on them and the visible water hoses look new. If the rest of the boat looks good, if the engines start and run well and if the owner can produce a maintenance record, then the engine room can be detailed and the paint touched up in a couple of days.

Caterpillars are pretty low maintenance engines. The after coolers on 3116's are jacket cooled, not seawater cooled. To establish a base line on maintenance, I would have the aftercoolers removed and cleaned..........to cooling side is ok because they have had antifreeze running in them instead of seawater, but the air side tends to get fouled with oil/carbon deposits. While the mechanic is on the boat, you should have the overheads reset. (This adjusts the valves and resets the injector timing since the injectors are cam fired on these engines). At this point, all the parts showing rust will be removed.......i.e. valve covers, after cooler cover and after cooler housing. Take the time to have all of them powder coated while this is being done. To remove the after coolers, you will need to drain the engine coolant, so replace it with 6 year Cat ELC when the engines are reassembled.

Cleaning the after coolers is $1800- $2500 depending upon what you replace........I'd replace all the after cooler hoses and hose clamps.
Coolant is about $225 .....18 gal
Resetting the engine overheads takes about 6 hours = $1500


This one could be a diamond in the rough................

 

[Boca_Vincent]

Thank you for the responses. I am requesting additional information from the broker with regard to the service records.
I suppose to the comment about paint being just that, a false hope. Probably better to see what's not been an attempt at a cover up.
Are the cost estimates listed above per engine, or both?
Gathering as much ammo as I can before presenting an offer. Contingent on surveys of course.

 

[fwebster]

Both engines........... and those costs are actual here in Panama City Beach.

 

[LaPlaya]

SUNSPLASH is a 1999 380D with 446 hrs. I was concerned with how much white paint was flaked off, rust around some areas I can't reach (like under the engines/oil pans) but when I purchased 3 years ago with only 250 hrs, the CAT mechanical survey (AND FRANK as he knows SUNSPLASH) re-assured me that they were very sound engines! I do "worry" about some of the "under belly rust" but I keep an eye on it, sand/spot paint as needed what I can reach, keep the bilge clean, etc.

I did notice these drops of oil and a slight/seeping water leak under my starboard engine after returning to my marina this past weekend that have me concerned, but I think I traced it to a very small crack at the base of my starboard engine oil dipstick... although I can't trace where the water is seeping from. I cleaned it all up and will keep an eye on it...

All in All, these CAT 3116's are awesome! (PS. This is an older picture. Since this was taken I installed new oil recovery filters and mounted them "standing up" correctly. (Thanks again Frank for your advice here too!)