Hello all, i am currently looking to purchase an older quality motorhome. I found an older Beaver with a cat 3408 and was wondering if anyone has any input with regards to this motor. Also attached is a pic showing some sort of oil leak, dosnt look serious but I have no knowledge of this motor. This is on an 89 with under 60k. Any thoughts?
anyone have experience with a cat 3408
- Thread starter cat3408
- Start date
For starters, I'm pretty sure that is a 3208, 3408's were massive 18 liter 500 hp plus monsters. The 3208 was a 10.5 liter V8. Some were turbocharged (3208T) while others were not. The engines developed anywhere between 170 and 250 hp depending on the year and the configuration. They were reliable but unimpressive when it came to fuel consumption or power, however to be fair, these engines got put in a lot of applications that needed more power than the 3208 could provide. Parts are readily available from any CAT dealer.
I have only had experience with 5 3208 CAT's and never really had any big issues with them other than you don't get much power out of them for the size and fuel consumption, but they were very reliable!!
I have only had experience with 5 3208 CAT's and never really had any big issues with them other than you don't get much power out of them for the size and fuel consumption, but they were very reliable!!
greg334
Veteran Expediter
I don't know much about the engine, but I know that when ever you look for a truck or even an RV, you should always get an oil analysis (OA), have the thing run on a dyno to see what shape it is in and have the ECM dumped and printed out (this doesn't apply to your situation). This is beside having a good mechanic look at the engine and drive train.
The Dyno and OA will tell you about the condition of the engine, specifically looking for problem of metal in the oil, etc. The dyno will measure the power it has but more importantly what is called Blow By which is a measure of wear of the cylinders.
I just went through this for a freind, looking at a truck with a C15 engine in it for him. The owner claimed that this and that was done on it (even hasd paper wpork from a dealer in Texas) but the OA revealed that the bottom end was falling apart and the dyno was no where near 60% of the rated power with higher than normal blow by.
Most of the time this costs about $200, and it is worth it if you don't want to get stuck on the side of the road.
OH and dont forget the mechanic. If he says not to bother getting those things done, find another mechanic.
Piper, your too quick
The Dyno and OA will tell you about the condition of the engine, specifically looking for problem of metal in the oil, etc. The dyno will measure the power it has but more importantly what is called Blow By which is a measure of wear of the cylinders.
I just went through this for a freind, looking at a truck with a C15 engine in it for him. The owner claimed that this and that was done on it (even hasd paper wpork from a dealer in Texas) but the OA revealed that the bottom end was falling apart and the dyno was no where near 60% of the rated power with higher than normal blow by.
Most of the time this costs about $200, and it is worth it if you don't want to get stuck on the side of the road.
OH and dont forget the mechanic. If he says not to bother getting those things done, find another mechanic.
Piper, your too quick
The motorhome is a 1989 but often the chasis are built a year ahead of the rv. So probably 1988. If you click on the small picture it will give a larger view. Was hoping someone here would know what the bolted on part that is leaking the oil is. Im not sure if it hydraulics for the jack system or like air for the air ride and brake system. Looked for schematics online for the 3208t but cant find any.
nightcreacher
Veteran Expediter
if its a 3408,and in the pic it apears to be,fuel mileage wont be your friend.The one I had in a 1973 Pete,could pass evrything but the filling station
Doggie Daddy
Veteran Expediter
Without getting a better look,and not having any knowledge of this particular engine,it looks to me as if it is the air compressor that is leaking the oil.
That should not be overly costly to replace it with a reconditioned unit.