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Random Quote: An angler is a man who spends rainy days sitting around on the muddy banks of rivers doing nothing because his wife won't let him do it at home. ~Author Unknown
Our stbd main engine, a CAT 3516B HD long stroke rated @ 2575hp at 1600rpm had a crankcase explosion and through a rod threw the block. The parts on the table were found throughout the engine room and that hunk of metal is what is left of the piston.
The engine is a total loss, there is no way to repair the block. Its less then 2 years old with only 8400hrs on it. The warranty just ran out in July so the company has to eat a $550,000 engine plus all the lost work time and labor costs.
I've never seen a cat do that, and I've owned a bunch of em in heavy equipment. But none of mine ever had 2500 hp either. Were you running wide open when
she blew. Usually when a cat lets go, you just get a shower of sparks out the exhaust. 8400 hrs on a cat engine that sees high rpms and load everyday is
pretty good though. That's about the average for a cat machine engine that works hard everyday. What type of boat was it in? A tug?
The engine was running @ about 1550 rpms and 84% load when it let go. The 3500 series are industrial rated this model is a B series with a MCR that allows it to be run @ 100% load and or rpm for 85% of the time. Not sure about the sparks but it sounded like someone threw a toolbox against the wall from the engine control room. 8400 hrs on this isn't much time at all. they are due for top end rebuilds @ 1200hrs, you can go 50% longer but performance and effiecny will suffer and the bottom end should be good til about 32000hrs. They are design to run 24/7 and they do. We have 3 of these engines for main propulsion and they are in a 390ft ship.
I bet Cat will be interested in finding out why this failure occurred. Have you contacted them? Cat is pretty good about MAJOR failure just out of warranty.
I bet Cat will be interested in finding out why this failure occurred. Have you contacted them? Cat is pretty good about MAJOR failure just out of warranty.
Glad to hear noone got hurt. My father's co. had a 3412 go that was out of warranty. Someone from G&R came out and CAT actually bought the engine back for analysis and if memory serves correct, new engine was @ 60%+ discount. Dont know if G&R works with these big'uns though... I know they have a shop in Atlantic City.
That's the first time I've ever heard someone say "ONLY" 8400 hrs!
And in only 2 years. Did you ever shut them down? Heck thats 12 hrs a day 7 days a week.
Thats one heavily used motor, if they warranty it I'd be very surprised. Glad no one got hurt and keep us posted if they can find the cause I think we would all like to know.
that engine did not play around when it committed suicide! thats like taking 2 bottles of pill and shooting your self in the head while jumping off a bridge with a noose around your neck!
__________________ 18.5' Winner CC
35' Contender twin 250's
When a CAT commits suicide 
