I'm in the process of purchasing a 2001 Horizon with CAT 3412E engines, 9KS series, I believe. Pantropic was out for a survey today, which generally went well, but there are a few things that will need to be addressed, e.g. new belts, one engine needs new thermostats, etc. Being a guy who likes to wrench on things (while knowing my limits), I'm looking for a high quality service manual, preferably factory, so I can see what's involved, follow the correct procedure, torque settings, etc., for those items I might choose to do myself. Searches of both this forum and the web don't seem to turn up much. Is this something that I would just go directly to Pantropic or CAT to purchase? Any third party manuals available? Thanks.
Sorry Pantropic was involved. Order a fresh manual with updates from Cat. Offer serial numbers and they can offer build data.
Thanks, Ralph. I've read the not-so-good stories about Pantropic, but I was under the impression that they are the only local (Ft Lauderdale) CAT-certified source for technicians. I figured that they are mostly just plugging in their CAT laptops with CAT software to generate a CAT report. I guess we'll see... Thanks for the pointer to go directly to CAT. Do I just call them directly at HQ in Deerfield, or go through a dealer? (I assumed that a dealer would rather sell me services than a manual.)
Contact a local (REAL) Cat shop parts dept directly with your serial numbers. Parts are parts. Ring power has locations in Sacramento and two in S FL. or https://parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/PartLookup
Got it, thank you! I think that Holt is another dealer close to me at home. I'll give one of them a call once I extract the serial numbers from the engines tomorrow. Glad I found this forum!
If the boat was surveyed, the serial numbers should be included. BTW, I think we speak for most of us; We luv 3412s.
Yup, survey is in-process (haul-out and sea trial tomorrow). I just need to grab the SNs then, rather than wait for Pantropic's report in a few days. I like that engine, too, more so after seeing them cold-start this morning: maybe 10s of slightly gray smoke, no oil or fuel on the water. Sea trial tomorrow will complete the story... hopefully with a happy ending.
Currently on ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/CAT-CATERP...422b968a3ef080a79198|ampid:PL_CLK|clp:2334524
I know nothing about Pantropic, but I wouldn't be happy to pay an engine survey to anyone who would only connect the laptop and look at its report. If he doesn't go down in the e/room with an IR gun and a laser tacho (at the very least!) to cross-check the instruments data, take oil samples, visually inspect for any leaks etc., well, he's not doing his job as he should, imho.
He did all of that, took off filters to inspect the turbos, took detailed pictures of everything, numerous recommendations, oil and coolant samples, etc. It's called their Engine Performance Evaluation and it was pretty complete - 17 pages for each engine + additional documents with all the downloaded and monitored sea trial data, videos of the exhaust, videos of the engines, etc. I wasn't unhappy with the process or results.
Engine survey should include condition of all hose clamps, raw water hoses, coolant hoses, fuel hoses, and exhaust system. Engine mounts too. Check on aftercooler replacement, there was a post by Pascal having to replace ac's on 3412's at a considerable expense.
Agreed, and these were all part of the reports I received. Fuel hoses were noted as being old an in need of replacement. I'll take a look at Pascal's thread on the ACs... thanks!
Agreed. Ring is up near Melbourne as well and has a marine division that responds out of Daytona, I believe. You don't need to use a marine Cat outfit to order parts. I've purchased plenty from the earth equipment guys.