cat 250

davekc · May 9, 2003

I tought I would pass this along. Found out that when you check belts and idlers, cat has a new front and back bearing assembly for the water pump belt. Mine were not in bad shape but added the new one since I had the belt already off. Suppose to be more balanced and last longer. I you take care of it a cat will go past 500,000. We have a 92 and it has 803,000 on it. It has had some minor repairs but no major overhaul ect. We currently have it as a spare truck hauling lumber. Took the box off and now its a flatbed. We have had better luck with cat than cummins. We had a cummins 250 in a fl70 and had nothing but problems. Primarily with the a/c compresser,( 5 in two years) and 3 a/c brackets. Not to mention belt and pulley problems. Kinda related. And, that was the engine, the cab was a piece of junk. We woke up and finally sold it and went to a KW. Smartest move we made!!!

Weave · May 9, 2003

Is that 803,000 miles on an original un-rebuilt or replaced CAT 3126? If so, you are the mileage leader as far as I know with that engine! I'll make you a trophy!
Yes, the A/C bracket was a pain on the Cummins B series engine. The only way to keep them from wearing fast was to REALLY beef the mounting and adjusting bolts down to keep things from moving.
The best belt system I have seen so far is on the DDC S60. One short, easy to replace surpentine for Alt, AC, and water pump. 3 heavy duty V belts for the fan. I just keep a spare surp with me.
-Weave-

davekc · May 10, 2003

Yes, this is the original engine. Truck is used a couple of times a month now. Smokes alittle at start up but thats about it. No major rebuild or anything like that. Only major repairs are water pump,injectors,and replaced the turbo. Kinda engine related, had to replace front half of exhaust as it rusted apart. Also had a/c problems but it was with the control and cable assembly. ( Bad ideas from frieghtliner). All in all have been happy or lucky with no major problems. Our KW has a the same engine but newer(99). It currently has 200000 on it with no problems. For what ever it is worth, we do use lucas in both of these engines. Current truck might go longer than 800,000 as our current truck has a generator, thus not having alot of idle hours as the old.

Larry · May 10, 2003

Hey Weave: If this guy really did get 800,000 miles out of his cat 3126, that means I could potentially get another 10 years out of mine!!! Since it has a little over 400,000 now and I will be using it less than 40,000 miles per year!! Darn, that means I'll have to continue working until I am 70.

Drive Safe.

Weave · May 11, 2003

I guess so! Don't count on it.. but it could happen

-Weave-

Larry · May 11, 2003

I would suspect that if one looks closely at the history of this 800,000 mile Cat 3126 that we may find some clues as to its long life. First of all the owner said that he has used Lucas products. I would like to know how often the oil and other fluids were changed? Is the oil analyzed when changed? Secondly, how was this truck used? Was he carrying 33,000 lbs. up and down mountains or was he carrying 24,000 lbs. out in the flatlands? Who was driving the truck; an owner that would keep the speed and rpm's in line so as to not over work or overheat the engine or was it driven by a driver paid by the mile that would wind it up tight, running at higher speeds and get the engine hot on the mountains? I suspect that this truck also has a 6 speed Eaton tranny and not the infamous 7 speed Spicer!!

Drive Safe.

davekc · May 11, 2003

Here is an update. 250 has 804,300 on it today. completed trip to miami and back. Yes we use lucas every change at about 14 to 15000. That number is based on oil test at speedco every 4th time. As for weight, the first 5 years was general expedite with roberts express. average load was about 2 to 4,000 lbs. Now with lumber it is about 10,000lbs a trip. As for drivers, I drove two years, had a team for three and brother hauls the lumber now. No real terrain, TN mountains but flat here in FL. Transmission is a eaton 6 speed. Hope that helps.

Weave · May 13, 2003

I've heard so many people with 3126's ask about using synthetic oil, but maybe the answer to the 3126's woes is as simple as using Lucas additive, much cheaper than synthetic oil. Could the goo nearly double the 3126's life? Maybe.. Most of the major failures in 3126's have been in the cam/lifter/cam bearing area. The Lucas most likely keeps those critical areas from getting dry, especially at startup after sitting for a while. This area takes a little while longer for oil to get pumped up to at a cold start, and will get chewed up quickly without oil. One thing I know for sure, I will continue using either Lucas or STP oil treatments in my engines.

davekc · May 13, 2003

I am sure using lucas has something to do with it. Synthetics would work as well but are more expensive. The 99kw we have should do ok because it doesn't experience cold hard starts with a block heater off the generator. Synthetics might be good here in the dead of winter up north. Be forwarned that you must have good seals as engines with synthetics are more prone to leaks. That info came from our kw dealer. My advise on a 3126 is to make sure you do oil tests, use lucas(or something simular) and change at the right intervals. Oil tests will tell you that. One other thought in the winter is with these additives they put more strain on the system in the winter.(oil is much thicker). If you don't use a block heater you could always cut some synthetic into your regular oil at changing. Shouldn't hurt the engine and should improve the pour point in extremely cold temps. The 3126 with 804000 is used now mostly in the south and it doesn't experience many cold starts.;-)

Weave · May 13, 2003

Seeing that the vast majority of expediter trucks are owned by people in colder northern climates, I really do think the cold starting has a big bit to do with the engine wear. The oil addatives will slow down cold cranking noticeably. I invested in a Coleman 120VAC/12VDC generator this fall, to run my block heater and charge the batteries for a couple of hours before I start the truck, as the lot I park at has nowhere to plug in to. It worked perfectly all winter, even on a morning where the temp was -15 degrees here in Buffalo. But getting out of bed 2 hours early to fire up the generator was a bit of a problemx(
-Weave-