WVO in a Cat 3208? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

diesel don · #1 10-17-2006, 09:14 PM

Does anyone have an opinion about running filtered WVO in a diesel pusher with a Cat 3208 engine?

Seems like the old school engine might do ok on it?????

I sure like the stuff in my MB's

Thanks

Diesel Don

rwthomas1 · #2 10-17-2006, 09:32 PM

Last week on a local TV channel news they did a piece on a guy that bought an RV out west, had it converted to WVO in Oregon and drove it all the way home to RI on grease. No real details on the complete system but it appeared to be capable of sucking up grease right from the dumpster, filtering it and pumping straight into the tank. Pretty cool, a completely self contained system. Obviously RV's have the space for this setup. Oh yeah, during the piece you could see the engine, yellow Cat in a pusher configuration..... RT

#3 10-17-2006, 09:36 PM

The Cat 3208 is a well built beast. It and the Detroit 2-strokes are the only V-type diesels I like.

I'd do it.

Wasuchi · #4 10-17-2006, 09:43 PM

Sounds ok to me, lot's of info here http://escapees.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/564607761/m/3061093991

and you might also find other useful info in here http://escapees.infopop.cc/eve/ubb.x

kerry · #5 10-17-2006, 10:31 PM

I would think it should be ok. How do you like your CAT? I've got one in my Bluebird Wanderlodge and like it. I get about 7.5-8mpg pulling a 4dr Suzuki Sidekick.

DR.DIESEL · #6 10-18-2006, 01:07 AM

I worked on a 3208 Training engine for diesel students that would run on
straight veg oil from Costco or waste engine oil mixed with gas in a
1 gal gas : 2 liter waste motor oil ratio. It ran fine.
It would have run on anything we could find, mind the smoke though.

diesel don · #7 10-18-2006, 10:16 AM

Wow:

Thanks for the quick replies:

Kerry: Love the pusher and the CAT seems to do very well. I range from 8.2 to 10.0 (12k miles so far). Its a 40' Holiday Ramble on a Gilag (sp?) chassis.

Dr. Diesel: Are you kidding? You could go up to a near 30% mix of filtered, used motor oil? Wow, that is good news. I know that Ryder Trucks used to do a 10% deal.

Appreciate the help you guys

dp

#8 10-18-2006, 07:08 PM

It will run fine, but running used engine oil through the fuel system in large mixtures is not good for the injection pump.

DR.DIESEL · #9 10-20-2006, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diesel don

Wow:

Dr. Diesel: Are you kidding? You could go up to a near 30% mix of filtered, used motor oil? Wow, that is good news. I know that Ryder Trucks used to do a 10% deal.

dp

We did it as a display to show that diesels can run on darn near anything.
If there had been some Cheap Booze nearby, That would have gone in as well.
Not recommended for actual useage. This 3208 was wore out and mounted
on a stand. Biodiesel would work spiffy though. Most of our heavy utility
trucks and even our ferry boats here in Seattle are running some kind of veggie oil.
WM's garbage haulers never smelled better.

diesel don · #10 10-22-2006, 10:24 AM

Dr. Diesel:

I've heard differing opinions on the 3208. Some say its a 'throw away' engine and others like it.
What's your take?

thanks

Diesel Don

kerry · #11 10-22-2006, 10:39 AM

I believe that technically the phrase 'throw-away-engine' simply refers to the fact that the block does not have replaceable cylinder liners.
Compared to its competition (Detroit 8.2 and Cummins 555) I think the 3208 measures up pretty well.

diesel don · #12 10-23-2006, 11:36 AM

Kerry:

thanks for the technical thot.

i talked with the cat dealers at the Midwest Trucking Show last year in Louisville, KY and heard the same terminology. i thought at first it meant junk, but the engine is performing very well for us.
have only put 13k on it, but that involves lots of mountain grades and long trips and relatively good mpg (9-10)

how many miles have you put on yours?

dp

DR.DIESEL · #13 10-23-2006, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diesel don

Dr. Diesel:

I've heard differing opinions on the 3208. Some say its a 'throw away' engine and others like it.
What's your take?

thanks

Diesel Don

I think any CAT is a great engine. I took care of a 64' boat with 2 3208's.
Never any fuss or trouble. Always started. would run on cruddy fuel.
Rev quick when cold. Sounded good too. I think V-8 diesels have a neat
sound to them that you just can't get from a I-6. Detroits sound better thought.
Yes the block can't be sleeved, but you are talking 300k+ miles out of the block. I think the diesel pusher chassis would be falling apart by then.

Also, you could have those cool Cat Powered mud flaps!

Regards.
DR.D

kerry · #14 10-24-2006, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diesel don

Kerry:

thanks for the technical thot.

i talked with the cat dealers at the Midwest Trucking Show last year in Louisville, KY and heard the same terminology. i thought at first it meant junk, but the engine is performing very well for us.
have only put 13k on it, but that involves lots of mountain grades and long trips and relatively good mpg (9-10)

how many miles have you put on yours?

dp

I've put about 5k on mine so far. It is the 210hpNA with an aftermarket turbo. Not the ideal setup but adequate. Mine has about 30k on the engine since the first motor was replaced when it put a rod thru the block. I have no idea what caused it. I've read a fair amount on the net about the 3208. The dominant opinion seems to be that if the motor is not turned up like the 435hp marine version, it should last a long time.
I do like its sound. Mine is a puller so the sound is up close and personal, although quieter than the gas 413 in my Travco.

captainmonk · #15 10-24-2006, 01:34 AM

oh so many years ago when i was young a 3208 block was called a 3160 in boats and lasted forever 160 HP Now they push them up to 435 HP and your scared to start them
I had a 3406 in my Peterbuilt in 1982 best diesel i ever owned 3306 in a couple of boats But my 71 series Volvo has been going and going and going since 1986 with over 30000 hours