Sunday, October 04, 2015

Cat 3116 Tune Up Tools and Procedures


CAT 3116 Diesel Engine Tune Up from John Whelan on Vimeo.


Cat 3116 Injector Adjustment

The video shows how the Cat Tuneup Tool Kit works on a 3116 diesel engine. When the injector is installed I find it's easier to place the dial contact on the injector by feel and then having a look to make sure it's seated properly. In the Cat tune up kit you need the dial indicator, contact point, timing gauge block and magnetic base.

On top of the valve cover is a data plate that has the factory timing spec. This is the reading that you need to stick to when the timing tool is all set up. First of all you need to preset the dial indicator on the timing gauge block and set it exactly to 62.00 mm.

Rotate the engine so cylinder #1 is on the compression stroke. Both valves will be closed and cylinder #6 will be on the exhaust stroke. Injectors 3 5 6 can be set in this position along with 1 2 4 intake and 1 3 5 exhaust valves. (Intake .015 in exhaust .025 in) The injector spec on the valve cover can vary plus or minus .020 mm.

Rotate the engine 360 degrees and adjust the remaining valves and injectors. The Cat tool kit comes with a manual and gives you a detailed step by step procedure for these adjustments. It's a fussy operation but once everything is set these engines run very nicely. Keep the valve adjustment on a regular schedule because of a weakness in the exhaust valve stems that blow apart if there running at high temperature and rpms.

I hope the video gives you a better idea what's involved with injector set up on the 3116. The entire tune up kit is pricey and the last time I checked it was up around $4000.00 Canadian. We had to purchase it however that was in the mid 1990s and we paid much less than that. You can not get away with setting up these engines (except valve adjustment) without the kit.



9 comments :

-CL said...

Hi John! What is the best make model and year of a school bus that can easily be worked on by a non-professional mechanic? I want to learn the basics. In the future, we will be doing some longer group adventures around the US using a modified school bus, and I would like to have a very good understanding of the mechanics prior to traveling extensively. I also want to be using a model whose parts can be easily and less expensively fixed/replaced and that doesn't have a bunch of fancy computer components involved.

Unknown said...

I would find a Thomas or International 2006 or older with a cummins diesel.

Anonymous said...

hey john. I posted earlier on here somewhere but cant find it. I am trying to set the injector timing on a 3116 cat engine. I set the indicator on the calibration block and set it to 62.00. I install it on the injector. not when I do that I have to adjust the injector rocker downwards. is that because I don't have the dial indicator in reverse mode possibly?

Unknown said...

The adjustment should not be much at all if any when checking injectors. The calibration of the dial indicator is important. The manual that comes with the kit will guide you through that set up. It's confusing at first. Once you set the dial indicator using the gauge block and the engine is in the correct position you are on the right track.

mechanic 421 said...

Hey John great Information here, Im a member of the Ohio School Bus Mechanics Association, we have a newsletter called the Mechanics Messenger would you mind if I mention your website in our newsletter im sure our Mechanics would find this very useful, Thanks Chad
cklinge@phpatriots.org

mechanic 421 said...

Hey John great information I am a member of the Ohio School Bus Mechanics Association and we have a newsletter called the Mechanics Messenger. Would you mind if I shared this page with our fellow mechanics in our Newsletter im sure they would find this very useful, Thanks Chad
cklinge@phpatriots.org

Unknown said...

International will be a 466 or 466E. Thomas conventional with Cummins B would work well. Non electronic diesels you would need to go further back in time. Don't rule out gas engines which would be easier to maintain and repair. But..heavy on fuel costs.

Unknown said...

International will be a 466 or 466E. Thomas conventional with Cummins B would work well. Non electronic diesels you would need to go further back in time. Don't rule out gas engines which would be easier to maintain and repair. But..heavy on fuel costs.

Unknown said...

Mechanic 421

Yes no problem sharing this page with your association.
Thanks