Cat 3406e Oil Pump

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by sailboatjim, Nov 25, 2014.

  1. sailboatjim

    sailboatjim Light Load Member

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    Are the Cat 3406e oil pumps rebuild-able?
    Do they sell rebuild kits fir them if they are?
    Where is the best place to get parts?

    It appears on my truck that oil pan is easily removed and I would think that would give me easy access to the oil pump if so.
    Built a many drag racing motors for cars and trucks so I've been in a few motors but nothing like this.

    My oil Pressure is 49-50 lbs hot at anything above 1300 -1400 rpm and goes no further. 25 hot at idle (600 rpm)
    The truck was in-framed over a year ago and a new head put on it but not run.(for reasons not stated here) It's got less than 300 miles on it now and has never pulled a load yet.
    I moved it to it's new location where I will start working it yesterday and noticed the lower than normal oil pressure. Looked in the records and the guy that did the in frame didn't do anything to the oil pump.
    I don't think anything is wrong with the motor. It runs really good now.
     
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  3. Superhauler

    Superhauler TEACHER OF MEN

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    yes they are but before you do that make sure that is the issue. could be some thing as simple as a bad o-ring on the sump and supply tube on pump.or a restricted oil filter, or something major.
     
  4. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    Apple and oranges here I think.

    I had a similar issue with my BXS ACERT.

    Turned out it was just the sending unit. I now read a steady 30 PSI at idle,.. and anywhere from 65 - 75 PSI under a load at 1450 RPMs.

    Hurst:smt111
     
  5. beltrans

    beltrans Medium Load Member

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    I owned 3406e for more than 8 years. It is a reman engine and an oil pressure never exceeded 45 psi@1400rpms fully warmed up. So it very well may be normal...
     
  6. Superhauler

    Superhauler TEACHER OF MEN

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    one trick you can do is shim the spring in the oil pump to raise oil pressure with washers. but only after ruling everything else out. I like to see about 60 to 65 when at running temp.
     
  7. sailboatjim

    sailboatjim Light Load Member

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    I will put a manual gage on it and check first. I read somewhere that 40 psi hot @ 1500 was the low spec. This will be down to 40 in the heat. On my ISX that's great oil pressure but I'm not so sure about the Cat.
    Are my assumptions about this being a quite easy and simple job correct?
    It appears there is nothing in the way of the pan and it looks quite simple and quick to remove with the exception of god knows how many bolts.
     
  8. Superhauler

    Superhauler TEACHER OF MEN

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    yep pretty straight forward. maybe a little messy with the oil drippings.
     
  9. JohnP3

    JohnP3 Road Train Member

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    Do not play with it, put in a remand, file the preasure pipe to the block connection flat Use synthetic oil to install the pipes, on the "O" rings
    The specification for oil preasure is 15 at Idle and the Max allowable is 88, minimum at above 1200 is 40 PSI, is minimum
    You want to buy a set of main and rod bearing, check the end play, you do not need to buy thrust bearings if they are OK, you want to check all the piston cooling nozzles for damage, positioning, and torque. Boosting the oil preasure above specs is BS all it does is increase the friction HP, it puts excessive stress on the oil cooler and filter, you really want to look at the pick-up piping and collector. looking for cracks
     
  10. sailboatjim

    sailboatjim Light Load Member

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    The mains, rods are cam bearings are brand new. Less than 300 miles on them. See the original post. It's got less than 300 miles on it (since the overhaul/in-frame a year ago) now and has never pulled a load yet.
    I'm getting it ready for next year. The oil pump was not touched at overhaul time and I guess that's my fault as I thought that would be part of the overhaul. I used a guy that I've never used before because of the location the truck was at. Cold or anything much above cold (150F) it's 55 to 60 @ say 1000 rpm but never over 60 and of course it drops when the oil gets hot. I don't think it's a clearance issue because of the way the pressure goes up and down with engine speed. I think it's the worn pump. I've seen racing motors with bad clearances and the pressure does not follow the pump as engine speed increases and decreases very noticeable when hot. This goes from 25 to 50 from 600 rpm to 1200 rpm.
     
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2014
  11. Superhauler

    Superhauler TEACHER OF MEN

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    why not play with it? didn't say to raise oil pressure over spec. it is a very simple pump to work on. even cat will shim one if the rest of pump is inspected and checks out. the spring gets weak with age. or better yet replace the spring. checking the piston coolers not a bad ideal while your in there. never ever had a cooler failure due to increasing pressure with in the specs. replace with a reman would be quicker but more expensive. and we all know how well cat reman parts have been the last few years! shessh!
     
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