3208 CAT Engine Problems (Won’t Start, Fuel, Injection Pump)
CAT built this engine for roughly 20 years and over that production run, they made a lot of engines. It stands to reason that the 3208 will run into some problems that will affect every engine. But those problems were fixable.
These engines were originally called throw-away engines because the earlier versions came without cylinder liners. But you could re-bore those cylinders and add oversized pistons and rings to solve this problem.
To learn more about this engine and its problems, just continue to read our article. It has the information you want to know about so you can decide if the 3208 you want to buy or own is worth owning/ repairing or not.
Common 3208 CAT Engine Problems
This engine, while a very durable motor, is not looked upon favorably. One owner described it as a terrible motor that a sloth could outrun. While that assessment is not fair, the 3208 did come with some problems that helped ruin its reputation.
1. A throw-a-way motor- that is how Ford and Caterpillar designed it. This engine was a joint project between Ford and CAT and for some reason, they decided not to give it all the components it needed to be a top diesel engine.
If it broke, it was easier and cheaper to throw it away and replace it with another better motor. Yet, despite the attitude behind its creation, the 3208 is still considered a workhorse engine that has several thousand miles left in it if given the proper care.
2. Age-related wear and tear- this is a common issue for all engines. It is just that the 3208 is older than dirt now and you can expect to find issues due to their age.
Gaskets, hoses, and belts would be the most common components that would wear out first.
3. Transmission integration- this was a major common problem as this engine was paired with a variety of transmissions over the years. With the wrong pairing came power delivery issues.
The problem may be more with the transmission than the engine.
4. Excessive smoke- if the color is blue then the engine was burning oil, and if the smoke was black, there was a combustion problem. The sources for this excessive smoke are worn cylinders, rings, or even fuel system issues. To name just a few sources.
5. The turbocharger- if the oil was contaminated or there were worn bearings, then the turbocharger would have problems. There may be other sources for the failure of the turbocharger to perform as expected.
Good maintenance is the best repair for this problem unless the turbocharger is bad and then you would need to replace it.
6. Oil leaks- the rear engine seals or the front gear cover gaskets were the main sources of this problem. If the seals or gaskets are worn out, then expect to lose oil rather quickly.
To find these issues before they become bad, you need or need to do some inspections to spot problem areas and fix them quickly.
7. Overheating- the 3208 was not immune to this problem and when it overheated, you had to wait a while before running it again. The sources for this problem were a lack of coolant, a blocked radiator, or a bad water pump.
To fix the problem, you had to add coolant, free the radiator from the obstruction, or replace the water pump.
8. Fuel injection- here the 3208 suffered from problems with the fuel transfer pump and injectors. What tipped you off to these problem parts was the low engine performance, high fuel consumption, or hard starts.
The best thing to do is replace the bad parts or clean them up some. Don’t forget to check the glow plugs.
3208 CAT Engine Won't Start
Just because the motor model changes does it mean that the problems will change. The 3208 is vulnerable to a variety of sources that plague other engines when trying to start them.
1. Electrical issues- this can vary from the battery to the alternator. If the connections are bad or the latter fails to recharge the former, then your engine won’t start.
Or the problem may be as simple as a loose wire or corrosion on the terminals. Check to make sure your battery is full of power before moving on to other possible sources.
2. The fuel filter is clogged- it happens especially when you do not replace it in a timely matter. In this case, cleaning or replacing the fuel filter will be your best option.
While you are at it, you should check to see if the fuel line is clogged or not. If it is then you should clear that as well.
3. Air in the fuel line- once you have this happen, then your engine may not start. You would have to remove the air from the fuel line to get the fuel flowing steadily to start the engine.
Also, check the fuel pressure at the injectors. If it is low, then the engine will not start either. A mechanic can help with that repair or you can do it yourself by loosening the nuts at the injectors a quarter turn.
Then turn the engine over till you know that the air has been pushed out. If there is still some air in the system and you need to repeat this process. Do one injector nut at a time.
4. Misc. Parts- the problem could be with the solenoid or your air filter is too dirty to let air through. Check the miscellaneous parts to see if they have problems.
Don’t forget to check the starter. If it is failing or is damaged, then the engine won’t start. Replacing the starter is your only repair here.
3208 CAT Engine Fuel Problems
We have talked about a few fuel issues already but they do bear repeating. If your fuel filter or line is clogged, then those two issues will prevent your 3208 from performing up to expectations.
Also, you need to check the injectors to make sure there are no clogs there and to see if any air is in the fuel lines. You have to remove the air to get the engine up to speed. It is a simple process that only takes time to do.
Another fuel problem, not already discussed, is the fuel itself. If the diesel has gone bad or is contaminated, then you will have engine problems. The fix is to empty and clean the fuel tank before putting new fuel inside.
This can be a costly repair as you usually have to drop the fuel tank to get the work done. Don’t forget to check the solenoid if the engine is not working right or even starting, it may not be a fuel problem.
The good news is that there are a limited number of sources when it comes to fuel problems. It should not take that long to figure out what is wrong and get the problem resolved.
CAT 3208 Injection Pump Problems
This is a major concern for if you do not address the problem quickly, then you may develop some expensive and long-term damage. One of the major sources for this part having problems is air.
It is possible for air to leak into the pump once in a while and the air leak may come from the fuel injection pump being bad, or the nuts are not tight enough.
But if those are not the problem then the leak may be very tiny.
One owner found a pin hole leak in a fitting. It did not leak any fuel, but it was just large enough to let air inside. You would have to inspect all the parts connected to the injector pump to see if this is the same problem for your 3208.
Also, the air bleed valve may be bad. This is a part that you can only replace if it is bad. Finally, the fuel injector pump may have broken down on you or some of its gaskets or seals have worn out.
Do not forget to check the pump for these possible sources when you are trying to figure out what is wrong. Replacement may be your only option here as well.
Is The CAT 3208 a Good Motor?
This depends on who you talk to. There will be many people who think this engine is nothing but junk. They do not like it and they may or may not have valid reasons for their opinion.
Other people have an opposite opinion. They feel that it is a top-notch heavy-duty workhorse engine that is reliable and durable. Its many applications and low failure rate seem to support the pro 3208 opinions over the negative ones.
Of course, some of those negative opinion owners probably bought a lemon and had to make more repairs than they wanted to. Those situations tend to influence their attitudes about this motor.
However, with good maintenance, the engine is one that you should not throw away. It should last a long time, with or without a lot of speed. Of course, how the engine is used is going to determine if it will be a good engine or not.
How Long Will a 3208 Cat Last?
There are several factors involved in judging its longevity. One, if the motor is in a boat, then you can expect up to 5000 to 10,000 hours of use before it will need servicing.
Depending on how often you use your boat, that total could take a long time to reach. If the application was in a large truck, then you could expect to see between 300,000 to 500,000 miles if the HP level was below 250.
Higher HP may shorten that lifespan a little. Keep in mind that if you do not use the boat or truck that often, there is still rust that will shorten the lifespan. There are just too many variables that play a role in how long this engine lasts.
With good maintenance and proper operation, the 3208s have been lasting over 20 years since their final production run. Now, these time frames are just till you need to rebuild the engines.
After rebuilding them, you can still get thousands of hours or miles out of the engine. They are not a disposable engine as their reputation indicates. How long yours will last will depend on these and other factors.
CAT 3208 For Sale
Despite being called a throwaway motor, there are still plenty of 3208 engines for sale today. A good local internet search will provide you with enough listings to find a good one for sale.
The price is what should concern you the most. Even rebuilt models are being sold at higher prices than one would expect. A couple of companies that have this engine for sale only say to call for the price.
That tells you that the price is not going to be a bargain. Unfortunately, one company that did list its 3208 prices lists the engines in Spain and England. But their price tags should give you an idea of how much this motor will cost. The price ranged between $6000 and $12,000.
Depending on the application, you can find some 3208s for below $4000. We cannot guarantee the shape they are in or if they will run well or not. That is something to talk about with the owner.
Some Additional Words
The CAT 3208 is just like any other engine ever made. As long as it has moving mechanical parts, there will be problems. Or as long as an engine needs fuel, there will be problems.
The key is to check to see if the engine has been well-maintained or not. If not, then it might be best to move on to the next engine on your list. It is a durable motor and one you can rely on.
