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Caterpillar 3196

Discussion in 'Engines' started by islandlure, Feb 3, 2017.

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  1. islandlure

    islandlure New Member

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    I have a 45 Hatteras with 2002 Caterpillar 3196 engines. What is the proper load to run under? Im not in a hurry and usually run at 50% load but was told that I should run at 70% load. Any advise
  2. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    I m guessing The guys telling to run at 70% load are not the ones paying for the fuel... or the maintenance

    What speed do you get at 50% ? As long as the boat is fully on plane, or the engines are running at operating temp, they're fine
  3. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Caterpillar recommends running them at 80% load. From what I've seen on most all CAT powered boats, the Gallons per mile from 1650 rpms up to 80% load stays virtually the same.
  4. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Maintenance intervals are given in hours or gallons burned. The more fuel you burn the more maintenance...

    As to fuel burn, the faster you go, the more fuel you burn per mile. For instance we can get as low as 3.05 gallon per mile at 18.4 kts (1500 rpm, 36%) to 4.3 GPM at 23kts (1850, 56%). I didn't even write down the exact numbers at 80% but it's about 5 GPM (about 125gph for 25.5/26kts).
  5. ESSRTEE8

    ESSRTEE8 Member

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    400 off the top is the cruise RPM. 300 of the top is the high cruise.
  6. islandlure

    islandlure New Member

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    Thanks for advise. I run at about 9 knts at 50 % and before I enter harbor I run them up to about 75% for abut 15 minutes.
  7. ESSRTEE8

    ESSRTEE8 Member

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    Watch those 3196's closely, do not be afraid to check your oils twice a year looking for sodium increase.
  8. Continental

    Continental New Member

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    What temp do you run at cruise I'm about to purchase a searay 480 motor yacht with 3196's they are running at 200 at 2100 rpms diesel mechanic says they should be at 185
    Thanks in advance for any input
  9. RER

    RER Senior Member

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    In my experience the CAT 3196 runs at just above 200 ...with the CAT analog instrument panel that's right at the edge of red zone for temp! But that's where they run.
  10. Continental

    Continental New Member

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    That's where these are rumming right at 200 how long have you been running them at that temp
  11. bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

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    Recently surveyed a boat with C12's (3196's). The engine surveyor was adamant about oil samples for sodium and aftercooler maintenance for the 3196/C12 Cats. He also said they run hot... 200 plus a little.
  12. Continental

    Continental New Member

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    Thanks for the help from what I've seen they run at around 200 just wanted to confirm before I bought the boat. I've heard a lot about after cooler problems aperently the boat I'm buying had them serviced last year.
  13. bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

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    If not already done, get a copy of the invoice to confirm the aftercooler service...
  14. Continental

    Continental New Member

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    I just emailed the broker asking about receipts for work done.
  15. bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

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    Good, Cat recommends servicing every 13000 gal of fuel, or 1000 hrs, or 2years which ever comes first and "replacing" the aftercoolers every 6 years.
  16. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Yes, this is a fairly recent CAT mandate or recommendation, before it was just service them every 1000 hours and never a provision for replacement.

    What I don't understand is back in the old DD 2 stroke days, I don't remember having any issues with aftercoolers on those engines.
  17. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Because back then nobody cared about the weight of these things...

    I m about to pull 325hp 8V71Ns with Allison gear and put in 450hp cummins C series with ZF... weight difference is over 3000lbs
  18. bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

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    Yes, and probably many still think 1000hrs. regardless of calendar time. Think Cat changed last year... I as told because of warranty's. The same for 3406's, not sure about the other models. There are a lot of Cats out there that would require new aftercoolers... Owners not very happy! I was also told the 3196 aftercooler was cuprous nickel which you think would last last if serviced regularly. Speaking of old DD's... had a pair of 453n's and 671tib's... don't recall any aftercoolers.
  19. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    453N, N or NA for Natural Asperated- no turbo or air cooler (aftercooler).
    671TIB, TIB or Turbo, Intercooled, Bypass. Turbo air intercooler between the turbo and the blower on the (top) side of the blower.

    No room in an in-line block for an aftercooler, after the blower. They just barley fit in the V block valley.
  20. bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

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    Ralph, I thought you would know about the DD's. My understanding is intercoolers/aftercoolers do the same thing...