Volvo or catepillar

[Niklas]

Hi

Someone who has experience and knows the fuel consumption of the Volvo D12 and Catepillar C12. and which machine is the easiest to maintain, and common errors.

Best regards Niklas Sweden

 

[volvopaul]

I have serviced both makes on a regular basis, tell me what boat there in and I will give you my opinion.

 

[Niklas]

hi

The engines are in princess 50 that we intend to buy.
Today, we have Cat 3116 from 96 that go nicely and is easy to maintain.

Fuel consumption is not everything, but as simple and reliable machines as possible.

which would you choose and why?

Best regards Niklas

 

[volvopaul]

hi

The engines are in princess 50 that we intend to buy.
Today, we have Cat 3116 from 96 that go nicely and is easy to maintain.

Fuel consumption is not everything, but as simple and reliable machines as possible.

which would you choose and why?

Best regards Niklas

The D12 has more filters, less anodes and same amount of oil give or take a few litres. Requires a coolant change every two years.

The Cat has less filters to change, from memory 4 more anodes, it has a walker airsep style air filter so lasts years and just needs a clean, impellers more than twice the price of the Volvo as its a Sherwood pump compares to a jabsco on the Volvo.

Princess 50 has a good engine bay and can be serviced without lifting the main saloon floor.

The only question I ask is are you sure its D12 as most had D11 motor which has different air filters to D12 and cheaper in the long run .

I have done pre purchase sea trial this year on a P50 with D11 motor, very nice set up.

Henryf on here owns cat engined P 50 so can comment on shortfall if any and servicing prices, which from experience and feedback from cat owners that have to use our UK dealer Finnings don't have a good word to say about there pricing structure and attitude to them, basically eyewatering prices especially in the traveling to site dept I have been told on numerous occasions when visiting cat engined boats.

If the future of servicing is of a main concern I would do your homework and talk to dealers before you buy on the pricing.

 

[Latestarter1]

hi

The engines are in princess 50 that we intend to buy.
Today, we have Cat 3116 from 96 that go nicely and is easy to maintain.

Fuel consumption is not everything, but as simple and reliable machines as possible.

which would you choose and why?

Best regards Niklas

You do not mention ratings however assume 700 hp.

CAT C12 is lighter about 250 kg an engine, possibly smoother.

Volvo D12 is slightly better on full load curve better 1.5 litres/hr at WOT, on propeller law curve difference at cruise would be lost in the noise.

Tough call

 

[LionsDen]

My initial gut reaction is that I would go for the Cats as I am aware that Volvo D12's have had various problems in the last few years with a few engines injectors disintegrating resulting in the valves smashing the cylinder / block - Google problems with ...
Also ask to see the full service history including any warranty work undertaken etc.

I understand that you can no longer speak to Volvo UK and all queries are now dealt via email :distress:

 

[Boatbore]

I had a Cranchi 50 with D12's 715HP, and they were brilliant. The only niggle i remember is that they always felt expensive to get serviced, and Volvo cunningly built in some software that needed updating after 5 years (at great expense) and so I lived with a flashing oil light !!!

Now I have a Ferretti with caterpillar engines. Everyone tells me they are brilliant, but I cannot get hold of a caterpillar mechanic in the south of France at all! Which is a bit of a problem.

I'd probably vote for the Volvo's....

 

[Latestarter1]

My initial gut reaction is that I would go for the Cats as I am aware that Volvo D12's have had various problems in the last few years with a few engines injectors disintegrating resulting in the valves smashing the cylinder / block - Google problems with ...
Also ask to see the full service history including any warranty work undertaken etc.

I understand that you can no longer speak to Volvo UK and all queries are now dealt via email :distress:

Googling a certain engine for problems often turns up misleading often much undatabased rubbish.

A year or so Googling CAT C12 would bring up 'catdefect.com' which was taken down as a condition of settling a Class Action law suit over 3196 and C12 'Modine' charge air coolers which cost CAT big $$.

On the subject of injectors C12 uses Lucas Delphi injectors which are assembled in house, D12 dependent on rating uses the same Lucas Delphi injector as CAT C12 or Bosch (Detroit DEDEC) pattern injectors. Both Lucas and Bosch injectors have proved to be super robust and durable in service.

CAT C12 has its roots in the troubled smaller displacement CAT 3176 and evolved from 3196. D12 was a massive redesign of Volvo TD122 pretty much an all new engine with the exception that early D12s still had cam bore gallery from the 122 cast in the block. Known D12 issues are camshaft spalling mainly in constant speed (1,500rpm) G drive applications. D12 Overhead cam design made single injector servicing a pain, and early Volvo diagnostic software was way inferior to CAT making troubleshooting difficult.

Around 1999 Volvo switched to a heavier block to cope with higher outputs and eliminated the historical camshaft gallery.

Historically Volvo D12 has sold in far larger numbers than CAT C12 and is viewed in all applications as a solid motor, from a purely subjective point of view a little heavy and clunky. CAT C12 has left most of its baggage behind, however production numbers have plummeted since CAT failed to meet EPA on road emissions regulations and exited the U.S automotive market. I would have no reservations owning a vessel with CAT C12's and they are lighter, package better and once again from a purely subjective point of view have more sparkle than equivalent D12 rating.

Yer pays yer money..............