Cat 3196 TA engine after cooler issues

That problem is well known. I'm told that: You need to have the most recent aftercooler update and then do oil analysis at every oil change to keep an eye on things.

I would encourage you to have a Caterpillar authorized dealer survey these engines for you. In addition to a full inspection, oil analysis and sea trial, They can run the serial numbers and hopefully tell you what has been done. Don't skip any steps in the survey process.

Just sent you a pm with my contact information we just went through this last week on a boat I was buying for the boss

Not Cats best marine engine... get the best engine surveyor that can borescope the aftercooler for signs of raw water leaks and damage to valves and cylinders plus check the turbo's. Do the oil analysis as recommended above. Cat recommends replacing the AC core every 6 years. I used Tim Caruso in Stuart, Fl. If anything is wrong he will find it... spends two days on engine surveys. Money well spent. Tim found serious problems that a normal Cat survey does not reveal.

3406's are great engines aside from the aftecooler issues. They are now known as the c18. With the updated aftercoolers they're very solid motors. Cat is now recommending changing all aftercoolers every 6 years throughout the line.

Capt J he is asking about 3196's.

Bobby,

Get the oil sample results from the owner. He should have pulled samples at least once per year. That will tell you a lot.

+1 on Tim Caruso.

Yes the 3196 is a risk due to after coolers, but they are a good motor if you do not have a bad cooler.

There are check valves that are supposed to open to let condensate water escape the manifold after you shut down. Sometimes they get stuck and water can get drawn into cylinders causing rust. Had that happen to me. Thought it was cooler issue but wasn't.

Must pressure check those coolers and oil sample each year. Sample twice a year if you can. If you see Sodium (NA) going up check coolers ASAP.

Motors are solid with a very good design except for cooler weakness that some other CAT motors are having as well.

Bobby,
I did not mention that we were surveying Cat c12's which are basically 3196's. Tim Caruso scoped the aftercoolers and found signs of raw water damage on both engines. He could scope risers and turbo's because plugs were rust welded which told him they probably had never been removed. Now, these were engines that were supposed to have had open check book maintenance. The stb was the worst and needed an o/h the port was suspect and would require pulling coolers for cleaning and testing to further inspect the valves, if they show rust and pitting then pull head to check cylinders if needed. The oil analysis confirmed Tim's concerns with high metal in the stb, the port was within spec but had rust in the dipstick tube which is a sign of high sodium in oil , it needed further investigation. During seatrial readings on both engines were within spec. My point being you cannot just rely on hooking a computer to the engine taking readings. Make the broker get all invoices for maintenance before spending money surveying. If no invoices...it did not happen. Had I hired the engine surveyor the broker wanted me to hire...maybe as much as $80k surprise. Good luck...hope all goes well.