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3412e aftercooler maintenance

Discussion in 'Engines' started by TahoeJohn, Feb 18, 2021.

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  1. TahoeJohn, Feb 18, 2021
    #1
    TahoeJohn

    TahoeJohn Member

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    As part of a slightly overdue 3000 hr maintenance, I've pulled the aftercoolers out of my 2001 Cat 3412e engines. I had read that they should be taken to a radiator shop for cleaning and pressure testing, but the first shop I tried this morning said that he couldn't boil them since they were aluminum. (I will add that he's never see an AC previously so he was hardly an expert.)

    I'm looking for exactly what I should do at this point... thanks!
  2. BigChief, Feb 18, 2021
    #2
    BigChief

    BigChief Member

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    I have 2008 c12 cats, with aluminium aftercooler cores. Cat says every six years replace them. They get thin over time with salt water, boiling them removes more metal and makes it more susceptible to leaking water into the intake of the engine. Then Boom your done....
    A cat dealer can give you the recommended replacement interval for your engines
  3. Capt Ralph, Feb 18, 2021
    #3
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Lots of Cat AFs post here on YF.
    Please do some searches.
    If they are original AFs, Replace them.
  4. TahoeJohn, Feb 18, 2021
    #4
    TahoeJohn

    TahoeJohn Member

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    Thanks, but my older engines are fresh water cooled and I don't think (could be wrong) that they have the same replacement schedule. The Cat maintenance schedule specifically calls out replacing saltwater cooled (SWAC) units every 6 years. Hopefully someone with experience on my "separate circuit aftercooling" (SCAC) units might pipe in.

    I have searched, but all I seem to be able to find is discussions about the newer "C" engines and the problems associated with ACs on those models. I do apologize if I missed something specific to my engines.
  5. NYCAP123, Feb 18, 2021
    #5
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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  6. BigChief, Feb 18, 2021
    #6
    BigChief

    BigChief Member

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    Are you a Member over on boat diesel?
  7. Capt J, Feb 18, 2021
    #7
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Given the age (years) of the aftercoolers, they haven't made a 3412 since 2003, just replace the **** things.
    BigChief and CaboFly like this.
  8. Pascal, Feb 18, 2021
    #8
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    The 6 year replacement schedule doesn’t apply to the 3412s
  9. TahoeJohn, Feb 18, 2021
    #9
    TahoeJohn

    TahoeJohn Member

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    Good pointer, thanks. I found what I needed over there. Cheers!
  10. Capt J, Feb 18, 2021
    #10
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    No it doesn't but on their best day they're 18 years and over 3000 hours old......A little PM goes a long way. Everytime they're cleaned they lose metal......
  11. bayoubud, Feb 19, 2021
    #11
    bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

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    Most a/c's were probably serviced at 1000 hrs maybe 5 or 10 years, not every two years. The h/e's would go thousands of hrs and years before pulling and cleaning also. If I were buying a boat with 3412's it would be time to to service ac's and a good inspection of the he's if not recently done.