Caterpillar 3412, any Expert here?? ...(or in Italy..:))

[OddvarH]

Hi, anybody With knowledge of Caterpillar 3412 marine engines With 1350 hp from 1997?

Will probably need new turbos, or turbo parts, alternators/pully...and exhoust ricers...for a start....The boat is in Sardinia, trying to find out where to look for new engine parts at resonable prices...(e.g. Less than from original Cat dealer and prices)

Any suggestions will be apprichiated..?.

Also, Would be greate if someone have some experience to share....

 

[rafiki_]

You could look where this engine is used in a non-marine application. I have Cat 3126 engines, and these are also used in buses. Any supplier to this trade will be cheaper than marine. MapisM has more local knowledge in Sardinia, so he might be able to help?

 

[OddvarH]

Thanks, You mean a truck dealer or generator supplier..hmm..might be possible, if same parts marine grade... Have also seen a lot on e-baby/amazone and similar...but, its a but....chinese..or too-good-to-be-true offers, or are there serious dealer out there that anybody have used previously?

 

[MapisM]

Hi there, is the boat a Sanlorenzo 72, by chance?

Generally speaking, the Cat 3400 series has a legendary reputation.
Anyway, as rafiki says, my home port is in Sardinia (where I am also at the moment), and I can speak a decent Italian, so I'm happy to help if I can.

Time being, based on what you told us so far, the only suggestion I can give you is that "reasonable prices" is a concept you should forget, when talking of marine engines - or of any other boat equipment, for that matter.
Trying to save money on parts and labour, when doing complex jobs on any big V12 marine engines, normally is just a recipe for spending much more, rather sooner than later.

To my knowledge, in Sardinia there are two official Cat dealers in the south (one of them is my usual yard) and three in the north, but I would avoid like the plague one of those.

 

[rafiki_]

Thanks, You mean a truck dealer or generator supplier..hmm..might be possible, if same parts marine grade... Have also seen a lot on e-baby/amazone and similar...but, its a but....chinese..or too-good-to-be-true offers, or are there serious dealer out there that anybody have used previously?

Generally the core and serviceable parts will be common to marinised and other applications. Fuel and oil filters, belts for example will be the same for marinised and non-marinised engines. These parts I try to source from non-marine dealers. The cooling system will be unique to the marinised engine. Not much else.

 

[Phildorset]

Generally the core and serviceable parts will be common to marinised and other applications. Fuel and oil filters, belts for example will be the same for marinised and non-marinised engines. These parts I try to source from non-marine dealers. The cooling system will be unique to the marinised engine. Not much else.

Good info Paul, I'm able to do the annual service items myself, oil, filters, belts, coolant... are you happy to share the name of your supplier for these bits? Perhaps by a PM if best...

 

[OddvarH]

...yes, might be similar parts.. but take some time to get to know the area... will prefere originals but might be worth checking around, different dealer might have different prices...

MapisM, not san lorenzo, but there is one in the yard in Cantieri di Olbia..You are still in Carloforte, i presume?

 

[Hardmy]

It is also quite easy to source original CAT parts overseas (for my 3208TA's). You just need the part# and google around. You will find out that shipping them from the US is far cheaper than buying in Italy or Greece.

 

[crossy]

Good info Paul, I'm able to do the annual service items myself, oil, filters, belts, coolant... are you happy to share the name of your supplier for these bits? Perhaps by a PM if best...

Phil,

Not sure whether you’re CATs use those pencil anode types but I’m about to order a load from boat zincs in the US if you want to double up and save the postage. A fraction of the cost of Finnings.

Andrew

 

[OddvarH]

Yes, pm me also??

 

[OddvarH]

It is also quite easy to source original CAT parts overseas (for my 3208TA's). You just need the part# and google around. You will find out that shipping them from the US is far cheaper than buying in Italy or Greece.

...excactly what i thought, but who is reliable...

 

[rafiki_]

Phil,

Not sure whether you’re CATs use those pencil anode types but I’m about to order a load from boat zincs in the US if you want to double up and save the postage. A fraction of the cost of Finnings.

Andrew

BoatZincs is a great supplier. I use them where it makes sense.

 

[rafiki_]

...excactly what i thought, but who is reliable...

You need to consider that Cat does not make filters/belts/starters/alternators etc. They design, develop and test the engines. They manufacture the 5 C's, Cylinder block, Cylinder Head, Crankshaft, Camshafts, Con Rods, and assemble to engines. Pretty much everything else is bought in. They buy filters etc and have them sign-written Cat, adding a significant mark-up. Nothing wrong with non-branded parts as long as you understand the specification, and ensure compatibility.

 

[MapisM]

MapisM, not san lorenzo, but there is one in the yard in Cantieri di Olbia..You are still in Carloforte, i presume

Yup, but the Cat 3412 powered SL72 I had in mind is actually in another yard, though not far from there.
And I don't think there are others around, 'cause they were normally powered by MAN engines (or MTU in more recent years).
Actually, I don't think there are many 3412 powered boats in general, anywhere in IT - let alone in Sardinia.
The only other one I can think of is an Akhir, which btw was repowered - as maybe also that SL72 was, not sure.

Anyway, +1 to US sourcing, for OEM Cat parts.
That's what I did for most normal service items in the last 16 years that I spent with a Cat powered boat, and the difference with any EU prices (UK included, I'm not talking of IT only) is normally well worth the tax and freight costs on top.

A turbo replacement is something I'd rather have properly done by a Cat official engineer, though.
Exhaust systems are normally another matter, because they must be adapted not only to the engine, but also to the boat.
Cofeme is the leading supplier in IT for that sort of equipment, but again, that's a job involving much more than unscrewing an oil filter and replacing it with the new one...

 

[Portofino]

I,ve seen older Pershing s say 60 ,s ++ CAT powered , with this unit .
That engine along with the later C32 is notorious for corrosion of the cooling ( bolt on as per rafiki ^^ ) .
In some instals after shutdown the sea water runs back below the zincs so they hang in air but enough left touching the metal(s) lower down = not so good Protection

Has the turbo worn or is its body corroded ?
Has the boat been used regularly ?

 

[Phildorset]

Phil,

Not sure whether you’re CATs use those pencil anode types but I’m about to order a load from boat zincs in the US if you want to double up and save the postage. A fraction of the cost of Finnings.

Andrew

Thanks Andrew, great offer, I'm not sure, I'll check and get back asap either way.
Phil

 

[MapisM]

Don't take my word for it, but I would bet that pencil type anodes are used also in your C12s.

 

[MapisM]

I,ve seen older Pershing s say 60 ,s ++ CAT powered , with this unit

Correct. I can remember to have seen a 3412 powered P65 advertised somewhere.

For some reason, when speaking of large boats with big engines, my mind always goes to proper f/b boats, rather than those Med toys meant to show off, regardless of whether their hull is silver or blue...
...I'll get my coat!

 

[OddvarH]

I,ve seen older Pershing s say 60 ,s ++ CAT powered , with this unit .
That engine along with the later C32 is notorious for corrosion of the cooling ( bolt on as per rafiki ^^ ) .
In some instals after shutdown the sea water runs back below the zincs so they hang in air but enough left touching the metal(s) lower down = not so good Protection

Has the turbo worn or is its body corroded ?
Has the boat been used regularly ?

...the boat has not been used for some years, the engines started quite well, wery litle smoke..and sounds good, However...have removed the turbos as the mecanic ment there was some problems, and yes...one is stucked compleatly...the other ones seems to be corroded, pitting corr. in the housing and inside parts...but repairable he ment...full rebuild, dismonting/monting around 20.000 e...With new turbin wheels, bearings, some piping...etc...

...corrotion...cooling...what is that.. hehe...sorry, just a joke.??

 

[OddvarH]

BoatZincs..great, also need complete new sinks??