3176 Cat Good or Bad

[alex g]

My brothers are looking at a truck for local float work. It has a 3176 Cat in it. It's a 1995 Aeromax. Anyone have any input on these engines. Thanks

 

[dogg rescue]

I test drove one in a freightliner once, maybe it wasn't running right, but it seemed really short on power. I think they do hang together o.k. 

[gearhead204]

if memory serves me right same as cat 950f power plant, good service, not a power house, modified Detroit diesel fuel system- but only cat has the tooling to set the rack.   

[kscarbel2]

The B was a better engine than the first which was a problem, but the C was same as the C12 block. The early 3176 was built where the crankcase was cast iron and there was a aluminum block bolted on top of the crank case and it was what held the liner and pistons. It was a source of oil and coolant leaks. And when you replaced the liner you had to pull the aluminum spacer of to replace the gaskets. It took too much time to over haul.The c came with the one piece block and crankcase like a real engine and better electronics. But still 10 liter engine. The problem with the engine was it was a oil leaker in the front around the front cover and most had the air compressor shaking lose. The good part was it was a light weight and could have good power. The C12 took its place and was a almost 12 liter engine.

The first engine had a ECM on it like a 3046 PEEC. It had some sensors in the wrong places. You could not get to the boost sensor witch was stuck in the ECM and it was down low with a hose running from the air intake to it and water would from in it and steel in the sensor which was lower. This would stick the sensor and in most case in the low boost mode cause no power.Later engine was changed some.

Being this is a 94 year it will have the later model engine but still is not a C12.

Glenn Akers

[theakerstwo]

What he said plus another thing bad about it is when you replaced the piston and liners and pulled the spacer plate you have to pull the rad out to get the cam out.

[JKuhl]

I'm a Cat man for a living, with all the tooling and information needed.

i would pass myself, parts are available, but electronics are costly and there are less and less people left that can work on them.

The 3116 is the engine with a "Detroit" style fuel system. I love those lil guys, a true mechanics engine.

[41chevy]

Grandson worked for HO Penn and now   works at Carter Caterpillar in  Fishersville, Virginia,  here's what the "old" timers there  said of it , for what it's worth.  
Dependable but wait for parts. Common problems with 3176 B or C
 oil leaks= front cam cover gasket can be a big leaker(must pull cam and front cover)
oil seepage= Aluminum spacer deck under cylinder head.
noisy air compressor drive= wear in splines of air compressor and gear in front cover(annoying mostly)
water pump weep hole can plug= put coolant in oil, IF water pump seal fails
Cam followers (mostly injector cam followers) can have a bushing failure and ruin the cam(somewhat of a big job)
If the front support bracket, on the upper, left side comes loose(supports front cover) and is neglected, then the front cover can break and cause oil leaks. Its repair is almost the same as a ruined cam.
Head gasket can seep coolant into oil pan, but many improvement have been made over the years.
These engines, do run copper sleeves, in the cylinder head(that the injectors seat against), and they can loose their "seal"  against the cylinder head and allow fuel into the cooling system, too. 

Occasional rear head bolt failures.

[alex g]

Thanks for all replies. Sounds like any they have there issues. I'm gonna give it a good going over for oil leaks etc.

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[theakerstwo]

That is true .I worked on them untill they converted over into the C12.Then they had alot of problems.