3126 CAt ECM ?

[eagle19952]

life expectancy ?

problems with..

after market programming ...worth it ?

power increases ... max hp ?

other than CAT supplier/aftermarket recon ?

[DoubleEagle]

I have a 3126B in a truck that is 16 years old, with no problems. The horsepower ranges from 175 to 330, but the lower the better for longevity. It has HEUI injectors which are electronically controlled and hydraulically activated using the motor oil. Changing the oil religiously is important because of that. For something under 35,000 gross it does pretty good. It has a deep throaty 5" exhaust. Changes to the rating have to be done by CAT, as far as I know. When I inquired about aftermarket changes a few years ago, I found nothing. It has a mixed reputation for service, some people refer to it as a grenade waiting to go off, but I think those are the people who expect too much, push it too hard, and don't change the oil on schedule. But then, I like the CAT 3208, which I also have in a dump truck, and some people think it is a throw-away engine not worth rebuilding.

[usbusin]

I have a 3126b in my truck conversion and it is a very dependable engine.  Mine is set at 300 hp.  Normal service intervals and 132,000 miles to date.

GaryD

[eagle19952]

Thanks

[luvrbus]

The 3126 E was the better of the 3126's,the C7 was a good engine just the updated 3126E 

[opus]

The 3208 wasnt much of anything but it wasnt "bad" by any means.  If you just drove it, they were fine.  The problem was, people wanted 3408 power out of them.

[eagle19952]

The 3126 E was the better of the 3126's,the C7 was a good engine just the updated 3126E 

Someone told a friend that the ECM was only good for 4000 hours...and was PM item...

[luvrbus]

The ECM is not PM but the HPOP (high pressure oil pump) for the HEUI last about 4000 hrs or 200,000 miles if you are lucky,the C-7 doesn't use the HEUI,lol Cat let International have that system

[TomC]

3116 was a mechanical engine with similar injectors as a Detroit 2 stroker. 3126 has HEUI (Hydrualic Electronic Unit Injectors) that work off the engine oil pressure pumped up to around 1,500psi, with electric accuation-that allows the engine to start without oil pressure. Available from 190-330hp, 520lb/ft-1,000lb/ft torque. Up to 500,000mi before overhaul. Good medium duty engine. Good Luck, TomC

[usbusin]

Yes, a good medium duty engine.  Mine was spec'ed by Rick Musselman at Bakersfield Truck Center.  Had the most torque available for the engines that would work in my rig when it was built.  Yes, a 500,000 mile engine, not a 1,000,000 mile engine; but very satisfactory for the job it was designed for.
GaryD

[Geoff]

How do you test a 3126 Cat if it won't start?

--Geoff

[eagle19952]

How do you test a 3126 Cat if it won't start?

--Geoff

.... give it an oral exam ?