ThAt was the nicest way I have ever heard a mechanic explain the 3116 rack problem with that particular engine , most mechanics those 4 numbers begin making their faces red with frustrated looks that self explain tuning the fuel system , well done ,I don't believe you could have elaborated much more without losing it , thanks for keeping it professional
Great video, thanks Josh.The 3116 engines were a great engine considering the environment they lived in.Medium duty trucks usually get poor maintenance and little attention until something goes wrong.The 3116 would normally out live the truck it was in.
Hey Josh, How much would I be looking at spending on a cat mechanic to inspect my 3116. I just bought it and I see 2 harnesses disconnected and the truck only had 1 of 3 batteries in the box. They added a prime pump on the return line. which I believe is not a good thing. So basically inspect to see what they did that they shouldn't have. Also the fuel filter looks bypassed. A little worried about this because I plan on running otr with this 95 gmc topkick with 3116 cat. Don't want to blow an injector
We have a 95 kodiak with a Reman that has been ran low on numerous times and smokes like no other. It starts to over heat over 45 but will not stop running, just gets harder and harder to start lol. We have a 92 with 430k and runs like new. Amazing motors!
Cat took on the 2 stroke Detroit system with this engine which is actually really reliable. It just takes a real mechanic to work on them & not a place for the plug n play guys.
Exactly, I was going to write the same thing and then I saw you had, I spent 15 years working on high performance 92TAs and TIs on boats and it all looked the same to me as a 671, add the complication of syncing the 2 blocks would blow his mind but it was monthly job on Stewart Stephenson 16V92TAs with 147 injectors. There were 1,000s of people everywhere that could do that those GM 2 strokes where in everything.
I worked on crown buses with Detroit 6-71inline. Very similar fuel system. In fact once adjusted over head on 3116 using same basic method. Thanks for video
Excellent video. The 3116 is a good engine in most applications. The military still uses them in some vehicles but is slowly phasing them out. By far the worst thing about this engine was setting up the overhead. Other than that they were very reliable. The tooling and procedures to work on them was and is their biggest fault. As you had mentioned, this was their first venture into a small inline engine and it came out okay. Most parts are still available currently. Thanks for sharing the info on this engine.
Hi Ken. Setting up the overhead? Im not a mech, Im a fireman and part time general contractor. I have only one dump truck, it has a Cat 3116. So far, so good. I run this truck to the dump, full of concrete, and it runs strong, as if it had no load on it all. I love it so far. Having said that, Im the type that likes to take care of his equipment and do maintenance , to prevent problems. At any rate, I hope I never have to, set up the overhead, because I have no idea about that. Id have to take it to a mech, and that job sounds expensive , haha. Other than keeping filters clean, is there anything else I can do to my 3116, to keep it happy and running smooth?
I have a 3116 that I turned up a little bit and it's been a great engine I have it in a Kodiak tow truck with 420 thousand miles and only replace the turbo and had to replace the injectors and injectors cups. and every year run the rack
I used to take the worst job. And got a lot of experience with 3116. As I had a grip of the 2stroke Detroit's it was a cake walk but we are a dying breed, used a carpenter tool a vernier caliper from harbor freight and some 1/4 all thread and and made my own injector height tool it worked out very well but you have to be real picky
3116 = 3000 series 1.1 litre /cyl 6 cylinder. Try doing injector set in a mid mount fire engine, or any work for that matter makes all the other aplications a breeze to work on. You can do a rack sync on any cylinder seperately without desturbing the other settings except 1, if you do cyl 1 you must do all 6, the setting is actualy easy, interpreting the procedure is the tuff bit. If you have a hard start issue in mui engine there is a plastic check vallve in the fuel return line that needs replacing, costs about 10c and always looks like new but alows fuel to syphon back from the injectors at shut down we used to replace them yearly in some machines. Not good when your fire engine wont start. Cheers mate🍻
Carlos Jackson yes mate you need the 1.1 L fuel setting group and the service manual. Its been 10 to 15 years since I last tuned one of these, those brain cells are long gone. Cheers mate 🍻
I'm currently looking at a truck that has a 3116 in it, so thank you for putting this out. I now have a little more information to know what I'm looking at.
great vid, we have one of the first 3116 in a custom made lo pro, first one made in the usa. Only has 134k miles on it, engine has been great. In 93 the dealer, chief white gmc in duncan ok, (they did the custom body from a detroit incomplete chassis), had a 3116 video in their dealership, in that video, it stated the 3116 came in 6 power settings, and the lower power settings 1 2 and 3 used round pistons, while higher power settings 4 5 and 6, used slightly oval pistons that "became round" on warm up, I was told we had power setting 4 in our engine. Also, a lot of reference to japan was in that video. Anyhow, truck has been way underutilized since 1993, its gmc door sticker does not say truck, it say recreational vehicle motorhome, and has car tags on it (because it was shipped as an INCOMPLETE CHASSIS the dealer builder was allowed to placard the truck as they deemed correct, and this allowed us to bypass all truck restrictions :O Used to pull custom horse trailer The engine has been great, the last few years it has been hard to start if it sits for a month or two, fires up then cuts off and have to crank it, i think the fuel leeches back down into the fuel tank, and we should be turning the fuel tanks off when stored, to prevent leakdown.
Aahh, the dreaded 3116!!.. only thing I ever enjoyed about working on them is watching it leave when I was finished! Never worked on on-highway, just industrial and epg. After years of experience with them I've learned couple of things, if it needs cups buy a reman head, if the governor/transfer pump starts acting up buy a reman, if the engine is wore out buy a reman!!. Changing the head is faster and cheaper than fighting cups, the governor's aren't worth trying to repair locally vs the cost of a reman, and being an internal bore block, it's cheaper to buy a cat reman vs going thru local machine shops. There are tricks to setting the fuel system much quicker, but it still requires the cat fuel setting group. All in all I'm glad they are all gone from around here!
Question. I'm having oil and gas mixing in fuel filters. Truck is losing power and hesitating a alot. Was leaking a lot of oil now oil level is raising because gas is coming in. What could it be?
I never follow sis procedure when syncing these injectors. I had an old cat tech at our shop show me how to do it by eye in about ten mins. hasn't failed yet. love the videos man. yellow pays the bills lol
Thanks Adept Ape. I m looking at buying a GMC with a 3116 in it. 137,000 km so it should some good days left. Not looking forward to dealing with an injector problem. Guess I'll let Toromont Cat deal with it. You make great videos.
Not bragging but I am one of those guys that can set up a rack on those types of engines like what's in the old Detroit two stroke diesels. The 8-71 racks are especially challenging cause u have to balance both sides, u go by a very delicate feel and pin drag like a brain surgeon so to speak. If u don't get it right in a truck they wouldn't pull a load very well.
Last time I had cat tech on-site i asked him if we should do the overhead on our 938G it has a mui 3116 in it he told me no rite quick lol. I already knew he would say that . Like you said that is the engines only downfall is anything with overhead . Although I managed to sneak some cam follower cover gaskets into one in our gmc . It was a total pain but I did it made a few new torch bent wrenches that day . Told boss worst case scenario it won't leak but will run funny and it will have to go to car for adjustments . It needs a camshaft and followers replaced but he didn't want to do it it is still running 6 years later to my surprise. If your curious i found the engine had been worked on before and the 5-6 follower shaft was installed backwards in the cover starving it of oil .rollers and cam lobes are chewed up but it doesn't make noise not sure how . Not my problem now as I quit the truck side and went to heavy equipment side
Man thanks for such great content. Have a 3116 in a Chevy Kodiak. Truck stalled a few weeks back. Not getting any fuel. Any info you can point me towards on the governor ?
In the mid to late 90's I worked on these all the time in marine apps. Cooling system venting issues, manifold updates, turbo updates, then injector cup sealing issues causing combustion gas in to the fuel rails under boost- Cat was authorizing all kinds of overtime and shipping replacement engines like crazy to keep the contract with Sea Ray- always twin engines in some very tight compartment. Eventually they got the issues fixed towards end of production and phasing them out for 3126's- one of the last sets of 3116's we sold is in a charter boat with over 10,000 on the clock.. no, I do not miss setting up the top end on these- the injector sync procedure would work better if each injector would have the exact same calibration at the exact same rack setting but they don't. Then you get a little fuel knock and it changes from hot to cold. Honestly I would not have one of these in a boat, a 5.9 cummins is a far better engine with a much easier to service aftercooler/heat exchanger. Go ahead and flame me, been working on marine stuff 35 years, Cummins 5.9 BTA is easier to work on than a Cat 3116 marine.
Is a 3126 a much better choice or is that a stay away from engine also(marine use)? Spent my life behind 3406’s and c-15 in my own trucks. Thanks in advance doghearder!
@@jeffw7644 The main difference in the 3126 aside for being a slightly bigger displacement is the sea water aftercooler vs a jacket water unit. They were good engines in the later serial numbers or the earlier ones when the bugs and reworks were carried out. I'd rather have a 3126 mechanical than the 3126'B" that superseded it later called the C7.
8:15 hahahahahaha local cat dealer in my area messed mine up good in my Kodiak. set the tolerances exactly backwards and crushed every cup and ruined most of the injectors
Hey Man, I'm totally New to diesel engines, i just volunteered to go to Florida for Hurricane cleanup, the truck im driving is a 1995 Gmc topkick with a 6 speed and a 3116 cat engine, well the truck runs great, except for b n a misquito fogger till it gets s warmed up... Its a 95 model and was last registered in 1998, so needless to say it has around 330k miles on it, cranks in 32 degree weather before turning over twice... Blowby tube no oil anywhere to be found, (slight rear main leak), no oil from anywhete else, takes awhile to warm the engine up, it will idle for hrs, total blue smoke, get it on tha road and warmed up it gets to a slight hint of smoke, i haven't taken tha valve cover off as of yet to see if tha drain valley is clogged and letn oil seep in thru tha valve seals, cause my Boss thinks its an injectir problem... I can't say i know much at all about smoke from injectors, just wouldnt figure it to be blue, with oil smell, and not fuel smell.... LOL, doesn't really use any oil to speak of.... And I'm Sure by watching Your videos you know exactly whats wrong, i sure wouldn't mind not leaving smoke signals for all to try and decifier from falling Feather, or Pooping Dog... LOL 😂
My company has 1 cat powered truck in the yard. It's a 2000 freightliner business class. It has the 3126 7.2l, and it out runs all the other trucks in the yard. All of these have the cummins 7.3l gen 1 and gen 3(the same engine ram uses in thier trucks) cold start does Exist. Cranks every time i turn the key. No matter what the temperature is. The cummins, on the other hand, need a block heater for a few hour before they even try. Hand down best diesel manufacturer
Can you do one of these aimed at 3126's? Specifically one towards school buses, Skoolies as some call them are getting popular, possibly touching on pros/cons of removing governors. I've heard you mention them, and I am curious on what is harder or easier on a school bus. I am building a conversion for my kid to live in for college. I love your explanations, pretty straight forward advice. Keep up the great videos!
I did a tear down and rebuild of a Cat 3116 in school. The intake was nasty, as if the seals in the turbo failed and shot oil into the intake. All of the bearings for the crankshaft and connecting rods were shot.
Question. I'm having oil and gas mixing in fuel filters. Truck is losing power and hesitating a alot. Was leaking a lot of oil now oil level is raising because gas is coming in. What could it be?
I just loved changing the injector sleeves on those, especially in a topkick. The racks weren't too bad to adjust. My bread and butter, when I worked at CAT, worked on a lot of HEUI engines as well. Not that hard to diagnose
My 3116 runs good at first then loses power and if I pump the primer pump and open the air bleeder to let fuel run out it’ll run good for about 30-45 mins. It runs better on a full tank of fuel or first thing. Not sure if it’s sucking air or some kind of pump issue. Any ideas?
I'm having an issue where I can start and run this 3116 all day long but as soon as I kill it, it won't start again for hours. It runs great but this is the only issue...grrrrrrr any ideas?
Man I’m worried from watching video. I have a 2001 D5M XL dozer w 3116. Started having some ruff idling a few weeks ago, would sound a lil skippy just a second after starting, and after 5 seconds it would level right off. Well was running it Saturday and it started losing power Figured it was filters. Changed those today and it ran perfect for 30 mins and slowly would get a lil sputter like air in line when I’d put it under pressure pushing brush piles. I didn’t change water sep yet bc they didn’t have it in. Will in morning. My primer also didn’t harden up like it should’ve, making me think there was a leak before I even started it. Mine has the two fuel filters on top each other, one block w filter on top and bottom. I’ve ran this machine for a year w zero problems. No fuel in oil. Looks like I got a small leak on front of engine above flywheel. Looks to be coming from up high though. Ima pressure wash it in morning and check it out. Plz let me know if there’s anything simple I should check before pulling valve covers off. Thanks in advance. Glad I found your channel!
I would get the injector fixed. If the injector gets stuck open it can wash out your cylinder and kill your engine. If you're going to do one I would do them all. As far as cost, just depends on your area and if you get your injectors rebuilt or replaced.
Best thing to do with a 3116 is replace it with a lighter more powerful 5.9 cummins. Theres a reason you dont see many of these turds anymore. You failed to mention the biggest 3116 point of failure: water pump belt.
joe blow There’s still quite a few 3116’s out there. They’re a pain in the ass from what I’ve heard but they will run for a long damn time. They’re definitely enduring engines but they do have their problems.
Turds??? We had an f650 with an Allison auto and 5.9 Cummins now that was a weak Noisy turd. Our kodiac with the cat eat it for lunch. Even the old 8.2 Detroit powered c70 with Allison’s out ran it and out pulled it. Everybody hated that truck so bad they just made it a spare the other trucks left with 250+ thousand miles on them the Cummins powered Ford only had 50,000 miles. when they got rid of it and we were happy to see it go. We also had a cab over ford cargo with the 5.9 and a manual that wasn’t any better. Those 2 were the turds.
Super helpful info at just the right time. Great work! Considering a vehicle with a 3116. Couple questions if I may: 1. If I have injector issues, can I just have a shop re-work the entire head with new stock injectors? Or 2. can I swap the head with a newer style system as on the newer engines to avoid this problem but still keep the 3116 block? Thanks.
I have a mechanical 3116 in a military truck that started knocking when the oil supply line to the governor fractured. The engine was shut down, but a CAT service tech recommended we replace the part, fill it with oil, and fire it up for ten seconds to see if the knocking was in the engine or in the governor. The engine stopped suddenly after 8 seconds. It's not fully seized - we can rotate the engine. Any chance this can be fixed, or is this engine dead?
I have a '92 3116 (120K miles) in a Gillig Chassis HMC RV. Just had the turbo rebuilt, valves adjusted and they did the rack. I am concerned about the lubricity of the ultra low sulfur fuels and wondered if you believe I should add anything to the fuel, like a cetane booster. I normally purchase my fuel in Nevada while driving between CA and NV.
hello the 3125 marine engine does it cary a Oring inside the chamber for the injector sleeve cup .need your help here ASAP my coolant is mixing with oil await your reply thanks
I have a 3116 in a topkick that has been fighting me for a while now.. started to lose power and then wouldnt start at all. There is a tube covering the linkage between the head and governor. I slid the tube into the head and moved the linkage manually. The engine fired right up. The Diaphragm and line to it hold air. Would low oil pressure cause the governor to shut the fuel off? Or is that oil line just for lubrication?
Hey Josh what's involved in replacing the injectors on a 3116 HEUI? It looks like the injectors are under the rockers? Can I remove them and re-install them without special tooling?
Can the fuel shut-off solenoid stick to the governor and prevent startup after a month not using it ? I have one acting like the solenoid on the pump isnt good. But it click very nicely and Ohmed out perfectly. Just wondering if a governor can stick after leaving it for a month. Ran good prior. It's a marine 3116
I have a 1993 top kick with the 3116 that was running rough at a idle when it cold but then would straighten out when warm. We drove it about 300 miles pulling some equipment and it ran fine we shut it off and now it won't run. Seems to be no fuel. We went thru the basics but we are having a hard time figuring put what is wrong any ideas? Any info would be great
they are still out there...........in old school buses and wrecked medium trucks. So the MUI version operates almost like a GM Detroit 2 stroke.............rack controlled, camshaft driven unit injectors............except that the GM injectors are pretty simple and the CAT version is a nightmare.
Yes. But they suck. Like a huge level of suck. If you really want your truck to suck, and only need a couple hundred hp, get a perkins. It'll be cheaper, more reliable, and you will still be different than all the guys with a Cummins 5.9. Of course, *they'll* all be passing you. But you'll be unique.
Thanks so much for that video it really opened up my eyes on what I have in my truck I have one injector that's bad I was wondering should I just change all of them which I know that it will be expensive but I should have a good motor
Hi, great info and thanks for all your tips. We have a 3116 on a wheel loader and the no3 injector rod has a bad habit of slipping out. Changed afew rods already. Any idea on what might be the cause. Doesn't happen to other injectors. Also fuel timing tool not available where I am. Many thanks.
Experts! Question just bought my first. 1991 gmc topkick with the 3116 5 speed hi/lo issues is the truck will just randomly shut off. While driving, warm or just idling warm or cold. Any suggestions?
I have a Marine 3116 rated at 350hp....it suddenly lost a lot of power after picking up bad fuel in the Bahamas. The tanks are now clean, there engine starts and runs well but tops out at 1200rpm. All boost hoses are in tact and there is is no black smoke and there are no air bubbles in the return line . Does the governor in the transfer pump have to open up from oil pressure or boost pressure?......late model mui injectors
I found a piece of steel , like a flake of rust in the bilge area,......when I searched it came from the intercooler and left a hole, ...therefore no boost pressure....I found the cause .
We are having trouble with our twin 3116 Cats on our 31 Cabo. One of our engines will no longer reach rpm, there is also quite a bit of diesel exhaust staining the back of the boat. Any ideas?
Awesome video. For the last 3 months I have started my own venture and have been working on school buses and seeing a lot of 3126 hoping you'll put out a video on those and common failures and most importantly a detailed how to diag a bad heui pump.. I mostly specialize in Mack and Volvo motors coming from the dealer myself.
Great video as always. Are you familiar with the 3408, my Grandfather's W900A had one. How long was it available OTR. Was it always mechanical or become electronic in later years. I've not found much information beyond marine applications. Thanks for sharing.
Have you ever had one race to the point it bent both pushrods on the same cylinder. Less than 30k miles but has been sitting. Ran fine. Gave it throttle. Fourth time on throttle it ran away and wouldn't cut off. Questioning governor or rack.. i have worked on diesels, but as you mentioned mechanical injector in a 1991 topkick. Never had one take off before like this.
Hi, I was planning on buying a LMTV for a long trip from Alaska to Argentina and has this engine (3116). So, what do you think, is this a good truck for the job? And if I get a problem like that, how expensive and easy to get parts would it be? Thanks for your vids!
Thanks so much for the informative videos. I'm looking at a boat with a 2000 model Cat 3116 engine. Around 1900 hours. Should I consider not getting this boat due to the 3116 engine in it?
Correct me if I wrong but the 3508 and the 3512 first series had this set up to i remember seeing a rail with a small chain connected to the injector on 773b or 777b dump truck water cart I use to work on in the most mines
I have a question! I have a 3116 in a 1995 Chevy Kodiak. Problem I’m having now is that it sputters out like it’s out of fuel, but tanks are full! I’ve changed fuel filter, cleaned tanks and still the same. Also have a GMC Topkick doing same thing!!! It seems like it is starving for fuel! My 1977 Ford with the Cummins runs like a champ!! Is there anything I could try to fix the problem?
I have a 94 Kodiak with the 3116 I’m removing the under cab exhaust and muffler to vertical exhaust will I need a muffle to have (back pressure) on the turbo in order it to spoil up properly I have been told the truck will have no power if it’s a straight pipe. The truck will be used for farm use not highway use
Install a straight pipe exhaust if you wish. The turbo will spool up even if there is no exhaust pipe or muffler, because it is mainly the exhaust flow out of the exhaust manifold that determines the turbo rpm.
Chad Jessup ok thanks any down side to the straight pipe. The purpose of doing a vertical exhaust is to send the fumes up and out instead of down and out
My problem is the 3116 is a good engine but the over head rack and injector when you shot down the engine during stating it can't start until you return the rack before the engine can start again please should I do ?
ADEPT APE what would be a good replacement engine to replace a 2002 3126, in an F650 what would have higher rev line more power an be more durable then an 3126
ThAt was the nicest way I have ever heard a mechanic explain the 3116 rack problem with that particular engine , most mechanics those 4 numbers begin making their faces red with frustrated looks that self explain tuning the fuel system , well done ,I don't believe you could have elaborated much more without losing it , thanks for keeping it professional
We're really fortunate we got a guy like you Ape! Not many people on TH-cam who do this stuff!
The 3116 was the engine I learned how diesel engines work at school!
Great video, thanks Josh.The 3116 engines were a great engine considering the environment they lived in.Medium duty trucks usually get poor maintenance and little attention until something goes wrong.The 3116 would normally out live the truck it was in.
Hey Josh,
How much would I be looking at spending on a cat mechanic to inspect my 3116. I just bought it and I see 2 harnesses disconnected and the truck only had 1 of 3 batteries in the box. They added a prime pump on the return line. which I believe is not a good thing. So basically inspect to see what they did that they shouldn't have. Also the fuel filter looks bypassed. A little worried about this because I plan on running otr with this 95 gmc topkick with 3116 cat. Don't want to blow an injector
We have a 95 kodiak with a Reman that has been ran low on numerous times and smokes like no other. It starts to over heat over 45 but will not stop running, just gets harder and harder to start lol. We have a 92 with 430k and runs like new. Amazing motors!
I enjoy your videos man. I start diesel school in January. Was in the medical field for 11 years, new decade for me, new adventure. Thanks again 🇺🇸👍
Excellent video very informative. I was just in the Middle East and cat is still selling the 3116 in the Middle East.
Cat took on the 2 stroke Detroit system with this engine which is actually really reliable. It just takes a real mechanic to work on them & not a place for the plug n play guys.
Yes, a poorly engineered knock off of DDEC. And then huei. Go home cat, you're drunk.
Huh? 1992 was the last years for 2 cycles so not a competitor.
@@grantsmith3514 Nobody said "competitor" except you! The reference was to the common rail fuel system instead of a timed injector pump.
Exactly, I was going to write the same thing and then I saw you had, I spent 15 years working on high performance 92TAs and TIs on boats and it all looked the same to me as a 671, add the complication of syncing the 2 blocks would blow his mind but it was monthly job on Stewart Stephenson 16V92TAs with 147 injectors. There were 1,000s of people everywhere that could do that those GM 2 strokes where in everything.
I worked on crown buses with Detroit 6-71inline. Very similar fuel system. In fact once adjusted over head on 3116 using same basic method. Thanks for video
Excellent video. The 3116 is a good engine in most applications. The military still uses them in some vehicles but is slowly phasing them out. By far the worst thing about this engine was setting up the overhead. Other than that they were very reliable. The tooling and procedures to work on them was and is their biggest fault. As you had mentioned, this was their first venture into a small inline engine and it came out okay. Most parts are still available currently. Thanks for sharing the info on this engine.
Hi Ken. Setting up the overhead? Im not a mech, Im a fireman and part time general contractor. I have only one dump truck, it has a Cat 3116. So far, so good. I run this truck to the dump, full of concrete, and it runs strong, as if it had no load on it all. I love it so far. Having said that, Im the type that likes to take care of his equipment and do maintenance , to prevent problems. At any rate, I hope I never have to, set up the overhead, because I have no idea about that. Id have to take it to a mech, and that job sounds expensive , haha. Other than keeping filters clean, is there anything else I can do to my 3116, to keep it happy and running smooth?
Thank you for posting this video this will help me a ton when I am working on my M1078 2.5 ton truck.
I have a 3116 that I turned up a little bit and it's been a great engine I have it in a Kodiak tow truck with 420 thousand miles and only replace the turbo and had to replace the injectors and injectors cups. and every year run the rack
How'd you turn it up?
This cat is in the topkicks. One of my favorite engines. They make the topkicks very reliable
I used to take the worst job. And got a lot of experience with 3116. As I had a grip of the 2stroke Detroit's it was a cake walk but we are a dying breed, used a carpenter tool a vernier caliper from harbor freight and some 1/4 all thread and and made my own injector height tool it worked out very well but you have to be real picky
3116 = 3000 series 1.1 litre /cyl 6 cylinder. Try doing injector set in a mid mount fire engine, or any work for that matter makes all the other aplications a breeze to work on. You can do a rack sync on any cylinder seperately without desturbing the other settings except 1, if you do cyl 1 you must do all 6, the setting is actualy easy, interpreting the procedure is the tuff bit. If you have a hard start issue in mui engine there is a plastic check vallve in the fuel return line that needs replacing, costs about 10c and always looks like new but alows fuel to syphon back from the injectors at shut down we used to replace them yearly in some machines. Not good when your fire engine wont start. Cheers mate🍻
Explain how easy it is
Any special tools to.do so
Carlos Jackson yes mate you need the 1.1 L fuel setting group and the service manual. Its been 10 to 15 years since I last tuned one of these, those brain cells are long gone. Cheers mate 🍻
I'm currently looking at a truck that has a 3116 in it, so thank you for putting this out. I now have a little more information to know what I'm looking at.
great vid, we have one of the first 3116 in a custom made lo pro, first one made in the usa. Only has 134k miles on it, engine has been great. In 93 the dealer, chief white gmc in duncan ok, (they did the custom body from a detroit incomplete chassis), had a 3116 video in their dealership, in that video, it stated the 3116 came in 6 power settings, and the lower power settings 1 2 and 3 used round pistons, while higher power settings 4 5 and 6, used slightly oval pistons that "became round" on warm up, I was told we had power setting 4 in our engine.
Also, a lot of reference to japan was in that video.
Anyhow, truck has been way underutilized since 1993, its gmc door sticker does not say truck, it say recreational vehicle motorhome, and has car tags on it (because it was shipped as an INCOMPLETE CHASSIS the dealer builder was allowed to placard the truck as they deemed correct, and this allowed us to bypass all truck restrictions :O
Used to pull custom horse trailer
The engine has been great, the last few years it has been hard to start if it sits for a month or two, fires up then cuts off and have to crank it, i think the fuel leeches back down into the fuel tank, and we should be turning the fuel tanks off when stored, to prevent leakdown.
Aahh, the dreaded 3116!!.. only thing I ever enjoyed about working on them is watching it leave when I was finished! Never worked on on-highway, just industrial and epg. After years of experience with them I've learned couple of things, if it needs cups buy a reman head, if the governor/transfer pump starts acting up buy a reman, if the engine is wore out buy a reman!!. Changing the head is faster and cheaper than fighting cups, the governor's aren't worth trying to repair locally vs the cost of a reman, and being an internal bore block, it's cheaper to buy a cat reman vs going thru local machine shops. There are tricks to setting the fuel system much quicker, but it still requires the cat fuel setting group. All in all I'm glad they are all gone from around here!
Question. I'm having oil and gas mixing in fuel filters. Truck is losing power and hesitating a alot. Was leaking a lot of oil now oil level is raising because gas is coming in. What could it be?
I never follow sis procedure when syncing these injectors. I had an old cat tech at our shop show me how to do it by eye in about ten mins. hasn't failed yet. love the videos man. yellow pays the bills lol
Jamie Spading I’m getting ready to do injectors on one can you guid me through this process? I’ll Venmo for you’re time.
Thanks Adept Ape. I m looking at buying a GMC with a 3116 in it. 137,000 km so it should some good days left. Not looking forward to dealing with an injector problem. Guess I'll let Toromont Cat deal with it. You make great videos.
Most GMC Topkicks had this motor. The Cat 913 scraper had this motor to replace the 3208.
I should add that I have a 1991 Kodiak with a 3116. Since you said they came out in 1992.
Not bragging but I am one of those guys that can set up a rack on those types of engines like what's in the old Detroit two stroke diesels. The 8-71 racks are especially challenging cause u have to balance both sides, u go by a very delicate feel and pin drag like a brain surgeon so to speak. If u don't get it right in a truck they wouldn't pull a load very well.
Until they found a hill
Where are you located? Are you available to adjust a 3116?
@@RJ1999x ha ha. Don't need a jake, just carry a pic of a hill.
At least they sound like they're trying. At least they never built a heui engine.
@@randymagnum143 lol, true
Dude, I just realized you look like a young Kyle Chandler, but you got a lot more you can teach people. Congrats
I have a 3116 in an M35A3 military truck... zero problems if you do basic maintenance.
What is the best maintenance for them? Just bought a 1994 GMC Topkick Pickup and want to make sure I take good care of it.
Last time I had cat tech on-site i asked him if we should do the overhead on our 938G it has a mui 3116 in it he told me no rite quick lol. I already knew he would say that . Like you said that is the engines only downfall is anything with overhead . Although I managed to sneak some cam follower cover gaskets into one in our gmc . It was a total pain but I did it made a few new torch bent wrenches that day . Told boss worst case scenario it won't leak but will run funny and it will have to go to car for adjustments . It needs a camshaft and followers replaced but he didn't want to do it it is still running 6 years later to my surprise. If your curious i found the engine had been worked on before and the 5-6 follower shaft was installed backwards in the cover starving it of oil .rollers and cam lobes are chewed up but it doesn't make noise not sure how . Not my problem now as I quit the truck side and went to heavy equipment side
Man thanks for such great content. Have a 3116 in a Chevy Kodiak. Truck stalled a few weeks back. Not getting any fuel. Any info you can point me towards on the governor ?
In the mid to late 90's I worked on these all the time in marine apps. Cooling system venting issues, manifold updates, turbo updates, then injector cup sealing issues causing combustion gas in to the fuel rails under boost- Cat was authorizing all kinds of overtime and shipping replacement engines like crazy to keep the contract with Sea Ray- always twin engines in some very tight compartment. Eventually they got the issues fixed towards end of production and phasing them out for 3126's- one of the last sets of 3116's we sold is in a charter boat with over 10,000 on the clock.. no, I do not miss setting up the top end on these- the injector sync procedure would work better if each injector would have the exact same calibration at the exact same rack setting but they don't. Then you get a little fuel knock and it changes from hot to cold. Honestly I would not have one of these in a boat, a 5.9 cummins is a far better engine with a much easier to service aftercooler/heat exchanger. Go ahead and flame me, been working on marine stuff 35 years, Cummins 5.9 BTA is easier to work on than a Cat 3116 marine.
Is a 3126 a much better choice or is that a stay away from engine also(marine use)?
Spent my life behind 3406’s and c-15 in my own trucks.
Thanks in advance doghearder!
@@jeffw7644 The main difference in the 3126 aside for being a slightly bigger displacement is the sea water aftercooler vs a jacket water unit. They were good engines in the later serial numbers or the earlier ones when the bugs and reworks were carried out. I'd rather have a 3126 mechanical than the 3126'B" that superseded it later called the C7.
@@Jethrosgarage think you, so a 3116 has a sea water aftercooler vs 3126 has a jacketed aftercooler if I’m understanding you correctly....?
@@jeffw7644 Reverse that- 3116 JWAC 3126 SWAC.
@@Jethrosgarage 👍🏻
8:15 hahahahahaha local cat dealer in my area messed mine up good in my Kodiak. set the tolerances exactly backwards and crushed every cup and ruined most of the injectors
Thanks for searing.. the injectors synch is really complicated process. Hope u will upload how to synch those.
Hey Man, I'm totally New to diesel engines, i just volunteered to go to Florida for Hurricane cleanup, the truck im driving is a 1995 Gmc topkick with a 6 speed and a 3116 cat engine, well the truck runs great, except for b n a misquito fogger till it gets s warmed up... Its a 95 model and was last registered in 1998, so needless to say it has around 330k miles on it, cranks in 32 degree weather before turning over twice... Blowby tube no oil anywhere to be found, (slight rear main leak), no oil from anywhete else, takes awhile to warm the engine up, it will idle for hrs, total blue smoke, get it on tha road and warmed up it gets to a slight hint of smoke, i haven't taken tha valve cover off as of yet to see if tha drain valley is clogged and letn oil seep in thru tha valve seals, cause my Boss thinks its an injectir problem... I can't say i know much at all about smoke from injectors, just wouldnt figure it to be blue, with oil smell, and not fuel smell.... LOL, doesn't really use any oil to speak of.... And I'm Sure by watching Your videos you know exactly whats wrong, i sure wouldn't mind not leaving smoke signals for all to try and decifier from falling Feather, or Pooping Dog... LOL 😂
My company has 1 cat powered truck in the yard. It's a 2000 freightliner business class. It has the 3126 7.2l, and it out runs all the other trucks in the yard. All of these have the cummins 7.3l gen 1 and gen 3(the same engine ram uses in thier trucks) cold start does Exist. Cranks every time i turn the key. No matter what the temperature is. The cummins, on the other hand, need a block heater for a few hour before they even try. Hand down best diesel manufacturer
Can you do one of these aimed at 3126's? Specifically one towards school buses, Skoolies as some call them are getting popular, possibly touching on pros/cons of removing governors. I've heard you mention them, and I am curious on what is harder or easier on a school bus. I am building a conversion for my kid to live in for college. I love your explanations, pretty straight forward advice. Keep up the great videos!
+74deeds I did the C7 video and discuss the 3126 in there a little since they are very similar, but making a 3126 video is a good idea.
I did a tear down and rebuild of a Cat 3116 in school. The intake was nasty, as if the seals in the turbo failed and shot oil into the intake. All of the bearings for the crankshaft and connecting rods were shot.
Question. I'm having oil and gas mixing in fuel filters. Truck is losing power and hesitating a alot. Was leaking a lot of oil now oil level is raising because gas is coming in. What could it be?
I just loved changing the injector sleeves on those, especially in a topkick. The racks weren't too bad to adjust. My bread and butter, when I worked at CAT, worked on a lot of HEUI engines as well. Not that hard to diagnose
I have one that won't start. Any advice? Cranks but doesn't start
Heui in a topkick
@@jasonlowry1151 Engine model and serial number??
Great video I learned allot from you!!!
Thanks from Slam Bang fishing lodge west coast of Vancouver island Kyuquot sound we specialize in great fishing food and good times
Outstanding, good work.
My 3116 runs good at first then loses power and if I pump the primer pump and open the air bleeder to let fuel run out it’ll run good for about 30-45 mins. It runs better on a full tank of fuel or first thing. Not sure if it’s sucking air or some kind of pump issue. Any ideas?
awsome work these are such great videos man really a vary informed tech great stuff u clearly love what you do I am learning a lot
Thank you for explaining this.
Thanks, the 3116cat is the design of Detroit engines
I'm having an issue where I can start and run this 3116 all day long but as soon as I kill it, it won't start again for hours. It runs great but this is the only issue...grrrrrrr any ideas?
I work for Ziegler, and there's only one guy in our Rebuild Center who knows how to set the rack on these engines. I'm hoping someday he'll teach me.
For sure bro
Would swapping in a 3126 in a truck that originally had a 3116 be a pretty straight forward job? Or would the wiring not be so simple
Curious about this too
its a nice engine just that most people have a hard time adjusting timing
gracias por la informacion, justo estoy por ver un 3116 la parte de los inyectores asi que me sirve de mucho este video.
6:06 The term you're looking for to describe the fuel system on 3300's and 3400's is "inline pump".
Are the racks on a 3116 as sensitive as the racks on the old 53, 71, and 92 series Detroit's?
Thanks Sir for a great information . 🖒
I see they have a lot of different horsepowers for the 3116. How to I determine which one do I have?
Man I’m worried from watching video. I have a 2001 D5M XL dozer w 3116. Started having some ruff idling a few weeks ago, would sound a lil skippy just a second after starting, and after 5 seconds it would level right off. Well was running it Saturday and it started losing power Figured it was filters. Changed those today and it ran perfect for 30 mins and slowly would get a lil sputter like air in line when I’d put it under pressure pushing brush piles. I didn’t change water sep yet bc they didn’t have it in. Will in morning. My primer also didn’t harden up like it should’ve, making me think there was a leak before I even started it. Mine has the two fuel filters on top each other, one block w filter on top and bottom. I’ve ran this machine for a year w zero problems. No fuel in oil. Looks like I got a small leak on front of engine above flywheel. Looks to be coming from up high though. Ima pressure wash it in morning and check it out.
Plz let me know if there’s anything simple I should check before pulling valve covers off. Thanks in advance. Glad I found your channel!
I’m having the same issue. What did you find out?
@@isaacjacobs6192 mine ended up being a cracked line. Thankfully I just had to replace line and kept on rolling. I sold machine ab a year back
@@arfarms5711 ok that’s what I was thinking. I’ll be able to steer the mechanic in the right direction. Thank you very much
I am getting ready to buy a 94 chevy Kodiak with the 3116 how urgent is the injector to be fixed and how much would something like that cost
I would get the injector fixed. If the injector gets stuck open it can wash out your cylinder and kill your engine. If you're going to do one I would do them all. As far as cost, just depends on your area and if you get your injectors rebuilt or replaced.
Thanks for the info =)
Thanks Josh. What should one expect for lifespan on a marine application. I'm looking at a 1997 boat/engine with 1900 hrs. survey or walk away?
Best thing to do with a 3116 is replace it with a lighter more powerful 5.9 cummins. Theres a reason you dont see many of these turds anymore.
You failed to mention the biggest 3116 point of failure: water pump belt.
joe blow There’s still quite a few 3116’s out there. They’re a pain in the ass from what I’ve heard but they will run for a long damn time. They’re definitely enduring engines but they do have their problems.
Turds??? We had an f650 with an Allison auto and 5.9 Cummins now that was a weak Noisy turd. Our kodiac with the cat eat it for lunch. Even the old 8.2 Detroit powered c70 with Allison’s out ran it and out pulled it. Everybody hated that truck so bad they just made it a spare the other trucks left with 250+ thousand miles on them the Cummins powered Ford only had 50,000 miles. when they got rid of it and we were happy to see it go. We also had a cab over ford cargo with the 5.9 and a manual that wasn’t any better. Those 2 were the turds.
@@theaveragejoestinkeringand4407 that 5.9 cummins could have been turned up quite easily to give it more power.
so do you have the same problem on the 3125 with the injector sleeve you just explain
Super helpful info at just the right time. Great work! Considering a vehicle with a 3116. Couple questions if I may: 1. If I have injector issues, can I just have a shop re-work the entire head with new stock injectors? Or 2. can I swap the head with a newer style system as on the newer engines to avoid this problem but still keep the 3116 block? Thanks.
I was wondering the exact same thing... If I just have the shop replace all of them at the same time would that set me up for a long time...
I have a mechanical 3116 in a military truck that started knocking when the oil supply line to the governor fractured. The engine was shut down, but a CAT service tech recommended we replace the part, fill it with oil, and fire it up for ten seconds to see if the knocking was in the engine or in the governor. The engine stopped suddenly after 8 seconds. It's not fully seized - we can rotate the engine. Any chance this can be fixed, or is this engine dead?
I have a '92 3116 (120K miles) in a Gillig Chassis HMC RV. Just had the turbo rebuilt, valves adjusted and they did the rack. I am concerned about the lubricity of the ultra low sulfur fuels and wondered if you believe I should add anything to the fuel, like a cetane booster. I normally purchase my fuel in Nevada while driving between CA and NV.
Many thanks for the video, keepem coming bro.
hello the 3125 marine engine does it cary a Oring inside the chamber for the injector sleeve cup .need your help here ASAP my coolant is mixing with oil await your reply thanks
I have a 3116 in a topkick that has been fighting me for a while now.. started to lose power and then wouldnt start at all. There is a tube covering the linkage between the head and governor. I slid the tube into the head and moved the linkage manually. The engine fired right up. The Diaphragm and line to it hold air. Would low oil pressure cause the governor to shut the fuel off? Or is that oil line just for lubrication?
could be junk into oil passage and it wont open levers
Mine is not running worth a shit either...changed the electric fuel pump and it helped a lot but still runs rough at times
Hey Josh what's involved in replacing the injectors on a 3116 HEUI? It looks like the injectors are under the rockers? Can I remove them and re-install them without special tooling?
I too want to know this
Can the fuel shut-off solenoid stick to the governor and prevent startup after a month not using it ? I have one acting like the solenoid on the pump isnt good. But it click very nicely and Ohmed out perfectly. Just wondering if a governor can stick after leaving it for a month. Ran good prior. It's a marine 3116
Great info but what if my marine engine is blowing black smoke,what would be the issue there?
The problem o have with mine is that no one here has the tools to work on these engines..
I have a 1993 top kick with the 3116 that was running rough at a idle when it cold but then would straighten out when warm. We drove it about 300 miles pulling some equipment and it ran fine we shut it off and now it won't run. Seems to be no fuel. We went thru the basics but we are having a hard time figuring put what is wrong any ideas? Any info would be great
they are still out there...........in old school buses and wrecked medium trucks. So the MUI version operates almost like a GM Detroit 2 stroke.............rack controlled, camshaft driven unit injectors............except that the GM injectors are pretty simple and the CAT version is a nightmare.
Could I Fit This Engine In A 94 F350
Yes. But they suck. Like a huge level of suck. If you really want your truck to suck, and only need a couple hundred hp, get a perkins. It'll be cheaper, more reliable, and you will still be different than all the guys with a Cummins 5.9.
Of course, *they'll* all be passing you. But you'll be unique.
Thanks so much for that video it really opened up my eyes on what I have in my truck I have one injector that's bad I was wondering should I just change all of them which I know that it will be expensive but I should have a good motor
Thanks for the video I have a 3116 cat motor on a drill rig where i work and it's pushing black smoke would you have any experience on probable causes
check air restriction first
then rack adjustment
hallo mister van hou tell me of There is a break in protocol after putting new cilinder sleeves and pistons It.
and white i can find It on sisweb
Hi, great info and thanks for all your tips. We have a 3116 on a wheel loader and the no3 injector rod has a bad habit of slipping out. Changed afew rods already. Any idea on what might be the cause. Doesn't happen to other injectors. Also fuel timing tool not available where I am. Many thanks.
Experts! Question just bought my first. 1991 gmc topkick with the 3116 5 speed hi/lo issues is the truck will just randomly shut off. While driving, warm or just idling warm or cold. Any suggestions?
I have a Marine 3116 rated at 350hp....it suddenly lost a lot of power after picking up bad fuel in the Bahamas. The tanks are now clean, there engine starts and runs well but tops out at 1200rpm. All boost hoses are in tact and there is is no black smoke and there are no air bubbles in the return line . Does the governor in the transfer pump have to open up from oil pressure or boost pressure?......late model mui injectors
I found a piece of steel , like a flake of rust in the bilge area,......when I searched it came from the intercooler and left a hole, ...therefore no boost pressure....I found the cause .
We are having trouble with our twin 3116 Cats on our 31 Cabo. One of our engines will no longer reach rpm, there is also quite a bit of diesel exhaust staining the back of the boat. Any ideas?
Awesome video. For the last 3 months I have started my own venture and have been working on school buses and seeing a lot of 3126 hoping you'll put out a video on those and common failures and most importantly a detailed how to diag a bad heui pump.. I mostly specialize in Mack and Volvo motors coming from the dealer myself.
Great video as always. Are you familiar with the 3408, my Grandfather's W900A had one. How long was it available OTR. Was it always mechanical or become electronic in later years. I've not found much information beyond marine applications. Thanks for sharing.
Have you ever had one race to the point it bent both pushrods on the same cylinder. Less than 30k miles but has been sitting. Ran fine. Gave it throttle. Fourth time on throttle it ran away and wouldn't cut off. Questioning governor or rack.. i have worked on diesels, but as you mentioned mechanical injector in a 1991 topkick. Never had one take off before like this.
Muchas gracias!!
I have a 3116 in a 94 triaxle dump truck gross weight 56000 pounds jus trying to figure out the horsepower in this engine
Old 71 detroit man are good at this
How much power can be added/upgraded on the mechanical versions? What’s the best all data type software/book to get for maintenance?
Hi, I was planning on buying a LMTV for a long trip from Alaska to Argentina and has this engine (3116). So, what do you think, is this a good truck for the job? And if I get a problem like that, how expensive and easy to get parts would it be? Thanks for your vids!
Thanks so much for the informative videos. I'm looking at a boat with a 2000 model Cat 3116 engine. Around 1900 hours. Should I consider not getting this boat due to the 3116 engine in it?
Correct me if I wrong but the 3508 and the 3512 first series had this set up to i remember seeing a rail with a small chain connected to the injector on 773b or 777b dump truck water cart I use to work on in the most mines
3500A and Early B models used this fuel rack setup
Good ,ok tamks
I have a 98 GMC with a 3116 CAT and I have bubbles in the return fuel line. Would that be a bad injector cup? Thanks
Same problems with the heui model?
I only subscribed because the dogs asked me 🤣
I have a question!
I have a 3116 in a 1995 Chevy Kodiak.
Problem I’m having now is that it sputters out like it’s out of fuel, but tanks are full! I’ve changed fuel filter, cleaned tanks and still the same. Also have a GMC Topkick doing same thing!!! It seems like it is starving for fuel!
My 1977 Ford with the Cummins runs like a champ!!
Is there anything I could try to fix the problem?
Great video! Do you know anyone in the Atlanta area who can repair the 3116 besides CAT?
Tekel Gayle did you find someone to repair you 3116? I may need someone as well
I live in the Atlanta area with the same engine. Man it's hard to crank this thing when it's cold.
I have a 94 Kodiak with the 3116 I’m removing the under cab exhaust and muffler to vertical exhaust will I need a muffle to have (back pressure) on the turbo in order it to spoil up properly I have been told the truck will have no power if it’s a straight pipe. The truck will be used for farm use not highway use
Install a straight pipe exhaust if you wish. The turbo will spool up even if there is no exhaust pipe or muffler, because it is mainly the exhaust flow out of the exhaust manifold that determines the turbo rpm.
Chad Jessup ok thanks any down side to the straight pipe. The purpose of doing a vertical exhaust is to send the fumes up and out instead of down and out
The only downside for a straight pipe would be on a human level and that being the greatly increased noise.
My problem is the 3116 is a good engine but the over head rack and injector when you shot down the engine during stating it can't start until you return the rack before the engine can start again please should I do ?
My 3116 cuts turbo shaft in 20mins after installation , what can I do to rectify this problem
I have a cat 3116 on the way and it has the huei pump is this good because you said it is rare
If I were to buy a 1998 truck, is it safe to say that it has a heui system? Looking at a gmc bucket truck.
I have a no start condition on a 3116 that I cant figure out. Can I pay for your expertise?
Pull the valve cover off and make sure the rack moves to the fuel on position when you turn on the ignition
ADEPT APE what would be a good replacement engine to replace a 2002 3126, in an F650 what would have higher rev line more power an be more durable then an 3126
Butch Cassidy cummins