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Cat 3412e

Discussion in 'Engines' started by golden_fox, Nov 11, 2007.

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  1. golden_fox

    golden_fox New Member

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    Sep 25, 2006
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    Location:
    Maldives
    I am looking at purchasing a pair of CAT 3412 E engines of 1200 hp @ 2300 RPM (D Rating) each. Has anyone had any experience with this engine model? If so, were they 'good'? The reason I am asking this is because the dealer has told me that CAT is discontinuing this engine model by the end of 2007, and I was wondering what's the reason behind this. Is it maybe because this engine has had a 'bad' track record?

    Thank you! :)
  2. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    The 3412 was not a bad engine till the ramped up the output to over 1200hp.

    They are being replaced by a C32 Engine just as the 3406 was replaced by the C18, These are a new series of engines with improved fuel and combustion figures to met the Tier 2 regs that have come into force.

    I am running 3 x 412 ekW C 18's as Gensets and am very happy for the most part.
  3. golden_fox

    golden_fox New Member

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    Thank you for your input K1W1.
  4. nas130

    nas130 Member

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    Location:
    florida
    I have 1400 hp 3412e's with 2300 hours on them. I took over the boat in June and have put 400 on since with zero problems. Cat told me to stay away from the Rotella and stick with Mobile dextron, mx 15w 40. Modern Diesels smoke and polute less and burn less oil. If it were me Id get the modern ones

    Good luck
    Nicholas
  5. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    Nas130, There is a good reason that CAT say stick with the Mobil product.

    When you buy CAT lubricants in a CAT Barrel you are actually getting Mobil refined and produced product. (I got this from a good source and have since had it confirmed elsewhere)Get a spec sheet for CAT oil and get one for the Mobil equivalent, look on the reverse side with all the text saying how good it is for your engine the only difference on many is the name Mobil changed for Caterpillar otherwise they are identical.

    I have also found that often when buying in bulk genuine CAT Product is cheaper than the Mobil packaged equivalent and there was no deposit on the drums up till the last time I bought it this way in 2002.

    I had a lot of experience on a pair of 3412's pumping out 1350 Hp at 2300 RPM in a Magnum 56 and they were far from reliable engines with a number of Exhaust Valves falling off, a piston skirt coming adrift, a Governor failure in the Mona Passage on a windy day was another unpleasant experience.
  6. golden_fox

    golden_fox New Member

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    it was reassuring to read your experience nas130 but it appears that you have had some unpleasant experiences with the higher horsepower blocks, K1W1. I guess, it really is squeezing a bit too much out of the block and will certainly not go above 1200 bhp for this block in my buying decision. And will stick to the CAT products and i have also found them to be good in my past experiences with CAT.
  7. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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    Hi,

    I don't know where you are buying your engines from but you will find in different locales you get different engines. It is all to do with emissions. I am sure that you can still buy CAT 3300 series engines in some locations where environmental concerns are regarded was Western Mumbo Jumbo.
  8. Dhowdodger

    Dhowdodger New Member

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    Arabian Gulf
    Hi,

    Ive been running cat 3412e's 1450hp as main engines and have had no issues with them (touch wood), am now above 1 thousand hours.
    Last week I met up with a captain who has a yacht from the same yard as mine, 2ft longer, bit heavier but with the new C32 cats at 1500hp, his fuel consumption seemed to be about 15 - 25 % better than mine.
    Ok the traditional cat yellow is a nice colour on the 3412's but id push for the C32's white paint and all.
  9. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I agree that the 3412's are good engines if they're not over 1200. However buying new I would skip both the 3412's and c32's (they had a lot of teething problems with a new block design and overhead cams), and go to the C30's. They are near bulletproof and have a great track record. They are a step below the c32's at 1500hp