Caterpillar 3116/3126 engine oil availability

fwebster

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Oct 6, 2006
12,150
Middle Tennessee ; Panama City Beach, FL
Boat Info
1996 450DA
Engines
3116 Caterpillars
Last week I took several oil samples by the Caterpillar store in Nashville TN. as I use Cat's SOS program for all of my oil samples. I happened to run to run into a Fluids Specialist in their fluids lab and asked about the current lube oil recommendation for the 3100 series marine engines. Here is what I learned:

Yes, SAEO originally formulated for the 3100 series marine engines because of after cooler fouling has been discontinued. The newest Fluids Recommendation publication SEBU6250-29 shows that SAEO may still be available for certain special applications like low speed generators, but marine engines are not in that list.

Cat has done extensive testing and now say that the additives currently used in multi-viscosity diesel oils are much improved and no longer pose an after cooler fouling risk for 3116's or 3126's.

Catetrpillar's current recommendation is to use Cat DEO (diesel engine oil) multiviscosity oil in the appropriate viscosity for your location but for most of us that will be 15W-40. Exxon Mobile is apparently Cat's supplier and they say you can order DEO from Exxon-Mobile: however, this comes from a Caterpillar internal dealer's IRM (Information Release Memo, # IRM: PELJ2736) so ordering DEO from Exxon-Mobile may be directed towards Cat dealers and not end users.

Caterpillar regularly updates their Fluid Recommendation publication # SEBU6250 but it lags the actual changes because it is a long document covering their whole product line that must be re-written. SEBU6250-28, is the last one I can find online and it isn't current with respect to 3116/3126 marine engines. The Fluids guy in Nashville had a copy of SEBU6250-29 and it had the above changes in it.

Caterpillar does not speak for Shell Oil but the guys at the Cat store in Nashville have a lot of customers who are having problems sourcing Rotella T-1 single viscosity lubricants. They say the problem is that Shell cannot get the additives required to produce SAE 30, SAE40, etc. and it may be an extended period of time before they are plentiful at reasonable prices in the retail market again.

So, …...relax. Caterpillar now approves multi-viscosity oils for 3116's and 3126's and we can get 15W-40 in both synthetic and non-synthetic lube oil from any number of sources.
 
Last week I took several oil samples by the Caterpillar store in Nashville TN. as I use Cat's SOS program for all of my oil samples. I happened to run to run into a Fluids Specialist in their fluids lab and asked about the current lube oil recommendation for the 3100 series marine engines. Here is what I learned:

Yes, SAEO originally formulated for the 3100 series marine engines because of after cooler fouling has been discontinued. The newest Fluids Recommendation publication SEBU6250-29 shows that SAEO may still be available for certain special applications like low speed generators, but marine engines are not in that list.

Cat has done extensive testing and now say that the additives currently used in multi-viscosity diesel oils are much improved and no longer pose an after cooler fouling risk for 3116's or 3126's.

Catetrpillar's current recommendation is to use Cat DEO (diesel engine oil) multiviscosity oil in the appropriate viscosity for your location but for most of us that will be 15W-40. Exxon Mobile is apparently Cat's supplier and they say you can order DEO from Exxon-Mobile: however, this comes from a Caterpillar internal dealer's IRM (Information Release Memo, # IRM: PELJ2736) so ordering DEO from Exxon-Mobile may be directed towards Cat dealers and not end users.

Caterpillar regularly updates their Fluid Recommendation publication # SEBU6250 but it lags the actual changes because it is a long document covering their whole product line that must be re-written. SEBU6250-28, is the last one I can find online and it isn't current with respect to 3116/3126 marine engines. The Fluids guy in Nashville had a copy of SEBU6250-29 and it had the above changes in it.

Caterpillar does not speak for Shell Oil but the guys at the Cat store in Nashville have a lot of customers who are having problems sourcing Rotella T-1 single viscosity lubricants. They say the problem is that Shell cannot get the additives required to produce SAE 30, SAE40, etc. and it may be an extended period of time before they are plentiful at reasonable prices in the retail market again.

So, …...relax. Caterpillar now approves multi-viscosity oils for 3116's and 3126's and we can get 15W-40 in both synthetic and non-synthetic lube oil from any number of sources.

Same message I received from our local CAT dealer here in western NY. I'll probably follow their recommendation and move to DEO this fall and continue to sample fluids and inspect turbos and aftercoolers annually for any buildup.
 
Sitting on the shelf in the shop - collector's edition. Will sell for $185.
IMG_6389.jpg
 
I might be repeating this question from a couple months ago so I apologize but for those who've done a barnacle buster or similar - how did you route the hoses and what was your entry/exit point in the loop?

I'm thinking we'd want to pump into the hose right after the impeller and then catch the hose that feeds the exhaust riser? Just crimping off the dripless water feed should keep the solution contained.

Also, that will completely dissolve the zincs, correct?
 
I might be repeating this question from a couple months ago so I apologize but for those who've done a barnacle buster or similar - how did you route the hoses and what was your entry/exit point in the loop?

I'm thinking we'd want to pump into the hose right after the impeller and then catch the hose that feeds the exhaust riser? Just crimping off the dripless water feed should keep the solution contained.

Also, that will completely dissolve the zincs, correct?

Run the BB backwards to the raw water flow. So in at the shower head and out at the raw water pump. And yes crimp off the dripless. But you need to pull the zincs! You can pull the brass plugs and unscrew the zinc from it and replace while running the BB.
 
Run the BB backwards to the raw water flow. So in at the shower head and out at the raw water pump. And yes crimp off the dripless. But you need to pull the zincs! You can pull the brass plugs and unscrew the zinc from it and replace while running the BB.

oh awesome, I didn’t even think of the backwards thing. Our boat has been freshwater it’s whole life but after 20 years I have to think it’s worth it just to clean out any buildup. We still get calcium and deposits

any alternative for fresh water or just go with BB?
 
Run the BB backwards to the raw water flow. So in at the shower head and out at the raw water pump. And yes crimp off the dripless. But you need to pull the zincs! You can pull the brass plugs and unscrew the zinc from it and replace while running the BB.

Or leave the zincs in and replace them afterward...
 
Jeez sorry guys, I didn’t mean to hijack this thread. I thought it was the main 3116/3126 thread when I posted it

thanks for the info
 
Nope - they can break off and clog things up until they dissolve fully.

Sure, I've had the Rydlyme tech on board twice and he said just replace your zincs when I am done. Your results may vary...
 
Or he hasn't had to clean out the oil cooler yet ..

Ben there done that, I'm not telling anyone to do what I do... 15 years of ownership and I am happy with my results, so do whatever you want.
 

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