cat engines

Apr 23, 2017 at 11:07 PM CST - 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. here we go folks our 3406 E just eat the 3rd head gasket on two year time im tired off this cat local shop work on it last dont make a diference

Replied on Mon, Apr 24, 2017 at 11:34 AM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. 3406e was one of the better cat motors. If you keep going through head gasket's you have problem with low liner protrusion. It should have.006 protrusion. I am guessing that the engine coolant has been neglected for too long, so you have liners sinking down into the block, due to cavitation caused by electrolysis. Once that happens the only way to correct the problem is by replacing the faulty liner. This is why it is critical to test the ph of the coolant every time you change oil. A decent cat shop should have checked the liner protrusion before replacing the head gasket.

Replied on Mon, Apr 24, 2017 at 11:34 AM CST

+ 1

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

3406e was one of the better cat motors. If you keep going through head gasket's you have problem with low liner protrusion. It should have.006 protrusion. I am guessing that the engine coolant has been neglected for too long, so you have liners sinking down into the block, due to cavitation caused by electrolysis. Once that happens the only way to correct the problem is by replacing the faulty liner. This is why it is critical to test the ph of the coolant every time you change oil. A decent cat shop should have checked the liner protrusion before replacing the head gasket.

Replied on Mon, Apr 24, 2017 at 01:36 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Cat replaced 3 head gaskets on my c 16. they always had a different reason. Third time they replaced the head and never had a problem again. The shop knew I wouldnt have a probelm after they replaced the head also.

Replied on Mon, Apr 24, 2017 at 09:55 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Well last time they did it all liners got replaced to and it only last 6 months if u got to a cat dealer for engine work they way they charge u expect better work rigth

Replied on Tue, Apr 25, 2017 at 06:35 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Good morning I'm feeling you fellas seems like any shop I've been in lately I've been having problems after it comes out no matter what engine is it some are better than others, pay a lot and get a little , another beer for another day Keep On Truckin peace

Replied on Tue, Apr 25, 2017 at 07:31 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "Well last time they did it all liners got replaced to and it only last 6 months if u got to a cat dealer for engine work they way they charge u expect better work rigth" Well if they replaced all the liners then they did a rebuild, and it should be under warranty. That said it never should have come to this in the first place, especially at a certified cat shop. They're technicians all receive certified training annually by the factory to make sure they are qualified. Do you know if they cut the counter bores when they installed the liners?

Replied on Tue, Apr 25, 2017 at 07:31 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Quote: "Well last time they did it all liners got replaced to and it only last 6 months if u got to a cat dealer for engine work they way they charge u expect better work rigth"

Well if they replaced all the liners then they did a rebuild, and it should be under warranty. That said it never should have come to this in the first place, especially at a certified cat shop. They're technicians all receive certified training annually by the factory to make sure they are qualified. Do you know if they cut the counter bores when they installed the liners?

Replied on Tue, Apr 25, 2017 at 03:06 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. If your having this problem from the same shop I'd be looking for another shop ! Sounds like glorified parts changers not true mechanics. Your comment said cat shop ? Go to a Genuine cat shop not a truck dealer. Seems like dealers think cats are antiques and will try to tell you they can't get parts.

Replied on Tue, Apr 25, 2017 at 05:22 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. dealers dont get paid the same rate for doing warranty work as they would if you were paying for it, thats cat or a truck dealer. I would only go to a cat dealer, and if they are messing up find a new one. Try not to bounce around, when my third head gasket started to leak , a cat dealer told me it was a bad radiator cap, couple months later same dealer different shop told me warrenty was no good, drove truck to long with bad gasket. Well after some harsh words, they checked their computer and seen it was in, they had to cover it. Just because they are cat doesnt mean their truck engine mechanic is any good.

Replied on Tue, Apr 25, 2017 at 05:22 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

dealers dont get paid the same rate for doing warranty work as they would if you were paying for it, thats cat or a truck dealer. I would only go to a cat dealer, and if they are messing up find a new one. Try not to bounce around, when my third head gasket started to leak , a cat dealer told me it was a bad radiator cap, couple months later same dealer different shop told me warrenty was no good, drove truck to long with bad gasket. Well after some harsh words, they checked their computer and seen it was in, they had to cover it. Just because they are cat doesnt mean their truck engine mechanic is any good.

Replied on Tue, Apr 25, 2017 at 09:50 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Cats recommeded procedure on E models now is cut the counter bore on each cylinder or plane the block. $ 1300 to have them cut all 6 counterbores. Problem is if you just stick new liners in without cutting the bores you might get the right protrusion but after it runs awhile it will conform to the block and ultimately blow the head gasket again. Also be sure to replace the spacer plate and they recommend using new head bolts. I have had E models since they started building them and have had a lot of head and liner troubles.

Replied on Tue, Apr 25, 2017 at 09:50 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Cats recommeded procedure on E models now is cut the counter bore on each cylinder or plane the block. $ 1300 to have them cut all 6 counterbores. Problem is if you just stick new liners in without cutting the bores you might get the right protrusion but after it runs awhile it will conform to the block and ultimately blow the head gasket again. Also be sure to replace the spacer plate and they recommend using new head bolts. I have had E models since they started building them and have had a lot of head and liner troubles.

Replied on Tue, Apr 25, 2017 at 11:05 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. just got a call back today radiator is plug up the say o yea is weird it over heat and run good for a week and does it again head gasket was leaking like two weeks afther come out the shop and yes its a cat dealer so far no good.