Cat 3126 aftercooler question

[kvduff]

I have my cat3126 Aftercoolers removed and I’ve brought them to a local radiator shop for testing and cleaning.
There is a silicone or rtv product on inside edges where the fins meet the housing. I asked the shop if this would be disturbed in the cleaning process and they said definitely. What product should I replace this with after cleaning? This picture isn’t my aftercooler but it does shows the area I’m asking about. Thanks for your help

 

[Bottomrock]

bump

 

[carterchapman]

If you are a member of Boatdiesel.com, ask there. "Dave" usually responds to CAT questions, and he is an expert...

 

[tc410]

Maybe the radiator shop that you are using could tell you? Otherwise, call your local CAT dealer/center and they should be able to offer you advice.

 

[kvduff]

If you are a member of Boatdiesel.com, ask there. "Dave" usually responds to CAT questions, and he is an expert...

Carter that’s exactly what I did, Dave told me to use a high temp rtv, and to let it dry 8 hours before installing. Purpose is to prevent any air from from blowing around the fins of the cooler !

 

[dtfeld]

I think that was a thread over on boatdiesel.com a couple years ago...that pic look familiar.

 

[kvduff]

I think that was a thread over on boatdiesel.com a couple years ago...that pic look familiar.

I definitely borrowed that pic from boat diesel... it showed the areaof my exact concern.
After dropping mine off at the local shop without much guidance from them, I wasn’t sure what to do..
the original post I borrowed the pic from never really addressed the issue, however, Dave chimed in and basically said any high temp Rtv would suffice.
Was this your picture that I borrowed? Funny if it was! Glad that I was able to get a solid answer and hopefully others who are searching will find this.

 

[dtfeld]

I definitely borrowed that pic from boat diesel... it showed the areaof my exact concern.
After dropping mine off at the local shop without much guidance from them, I wasn’t sure what to do..
the original post I borrowed the pic from never really addressed the issue, however, Dave chimed in and basically said any high temp Rtv would suffice.
Was this your picture that I borrowed? Funny if it was! Glad that I was able to get a solid answer and hopefully others who are searching will find this.

No not mine, but I've read that thread! Unfortunately, that particular question was never really answered. I have not had my after coolers serviced yet, so please advise what you end up doing.

I kind of remember researching a shop down in FL that specialized in CAT Marine and thought I'd ship mine there. Those things are not cheap, and I don't want to be like the poor bastard that ended up with sand blast media all in his.

 

[kvduff]

Yea that situation with the sand blasting was messed up! Over 3k each to replace!
Dave on boat diesel basically said to use a high temp rtv to replace. Can see now that the original is gone, that air could be forced around the sides of the cooling fins, not effectively doing its intended purpose.
I brought mine to a radiator shop near me, (recommended by members here). Had them done in a week, got nervous they would be shut down with the virus, so I picked them up as soon as they were ready.
Hoping to reinstall this week. Need to get some extra bolts and cut the heads off to use as guides for the gasket and cooler.

 

[carterchapman]

KV - while you have them off, get new turbo hoses from CAT - not expensive and easy to replace with the AC removed...

 

[fwebster]

No only the turbo hoses, but get all new hose clamps well as all the water hoses that are 20± years old that are much more accessible with the after coolers removed.

 

[kvduff]

KV - while you have them off, get new turbo hoses from CAT - not expensive and easy to replace with the AC removed...

Got em! And new hose clamps from cat too!

 

[kvduff]

No only the turbo hoses, but get all new hose clamps well as all the water hoses that are 20± years old that are much more accessible with the after coolers removed.

Water Hose , .38 cents, a cm! Found that kind of funny. About a $180 in clamps and hose and I’ll be back together in a few days.

 

[carterchapman]

I was amazed how cheap CAT prices were for the custom hoses. They were proud of those bellville clamps as I recall though!

 

[JVM225]

Water Hose , .38 cents, a cm! Found that kind of funny. About a $180 in clamps and hose and I’ll be back together in a few days.

Can you post a picture of the cleaned up aftercoolers with the RTV in place before you install?
This job is on my to do list for next winter.
Also, did you get the turbos cleaned/inspected while everything is apart?

 

[kvduff]

Can you post a picture of the cleaned up aftercoolers with the RTV in place before you install?
This job is on my to do list for next winter.
Also, did you get the turbos cleaned/inspected while everything is apart?

 

[kvduff]

Yep, I will post a photo after putting the rtv back in... didn’t go after the turbos on this round.
I didn’t have it in me to start dismantling the turbos. Have you or anyone used a aerosol diesel turbo cleaner, like the wynns spray? I realize it’s most definitely NOT recommended by Cat, manual only talks about brushing the fins...

 

[dtfeld]

Yep, I will post a photo after putting the rtv back in... didn’t go after the turbos on this round.
I didn’t have it in me to start dismantling the turbos. Have you or anyone used a aerosol diesel turbo cleaner, like the wynns spray? I realize it’s most definitely NOT recommended by Cat, manual only talks about brushing the fins...

Unless you have other issues pointing to turbo issues (loss of power black smoke) I'm much more for the Inspect part of this procedure.

The recommended service (Cleaning and Inspecting) interval is every 1000 hours or 2 years. Manual says compressor housing to be cleaned with Hydrosolv and hard bristle brush, and the compressor wheel and backplate assembly with CAT Brake and Electric cleaner.

I've added boost gauges to my boat this winter for this exact issue. Loss of boost will be a good diagnostic tool going forward. Loss of boost over time would point to turbo wear/buildup issues. Immediate loss is a loose pipe or other catastrophic event (I had the Belleville clamp on the turbo to aftercooler fail on me).

 

[dtfeld]

I was amazed how cheap CAT prices were for the custom hoses. They were proud of those bellville clamps as I recall though!

I bought the CAT ones for this application, and now keep extra onboard. A large zip tie will make an emergency repair.

I bought bulk clamps (Breeze) from Amazon when I replaced all the below water clamps last winter. Significantly cheaper.

 

[fwebster]

Yep, I will post a photo after putting the rtv back in... didn’t go after the turbos on this round.
I didn’t have it in me to start dismantling the turbos. Have you or anyone used a aerosol diesel turbo cleaner, like the wynns spray? I realize it’s most definitely NOT recommended by Cat, manual only talks about brushing the fins...

Please do not use anything but the Cat recommended solvents. Aerosol sprays in particular usually use butane as the propellant. Butane is highly flammable and if it allowed to pool in any part of the intake system, you could seriously damage the engine when it is started........an intake explosion in a diesel isn't pretty or cheap!