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Caterpillar 3126 crank no start

mattyt1984

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2011
Messages
435
Location
New York
I have a Caterpillar 3126 crank no start once in a while it will try to run for a few seconds and dies out. At times it has smoke then at other times you can crank and get no smoke at all. I have fuel coming back from return line with no bubbles. Anything else common on these? I also tried connecting a high pressure electric pump to feed the fuel system but does the same thing. Engine family number is 5CPXL07.2HSL ARRANGE 198-3456 SERIAL BEJ14497
 
Joined
Oct 19, 2025
Messages
12
Location
Rocbester mn
I have a Caterpillar 3126 crank no start once in a while it will try to run for a few seconds and dies out. At times it has smoke then at other times you can crank and get no smoke at all. I have fuel coming back from return line with no bubbles. Anything else common on these? I also tried connecting a high pressure electric pump to feed the fuel system but does the same thing. Engine family number is 5CPXL07.2HSL ARRANGE 198-3456 SERIAL BEJ14497
Sounds like injectors are worn out I have the tooling to set up and replace injectors on MUI Engines, Im located in Mn
 
Joined
Oct 19, 2025
Messages
12
Location
Rocbester mn
I have a Caterpillar 3126 crank no start once in a while it will try to run for a few seconds and dies out. At times it has smoke then at other times you can crank and get no smoke at all. I have fuel coming back from return line with no bubbles. Anything else common on these? I also tried connecting a high pressure electric pump to feed the fuel system but does the same thing. Engine family number is 5CPXL07.2HSL ARRANGE 198-3456 SERIAL BEJ1449

How do I confirm the injectors are faulty?
Put thin pair of vvice grips on rack bar ans while cranking move to fuel on and see if it starts, if it does the injectors have to much. Leakage at idel dlont put vce grips next to rack mount ,any adjustment screws , have u checked fuel preszure, how abt shut off solenoid ?
 

mattyt1984

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2011
Messages
435
Location
New York
Just getting back to working on it. It almost fires and but not quite. How do I determine if the injector coils are bad or if it's mechanically something wrong with an injector or injectors?
 

Simon C

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2015
Messages
2,993
Location
Rocky Mountain House , AB., Canada
Occupation
Heavy Equipment Mechanic
Could try pulling the air filters out after first cleaning the housing with air, then try blasting quite a lot of WD40 into it to see if it starts up any better. If the fuel pressure is too low it probably won't make any difference, if it does it would indicate an sudden increase in compression helping to start.
Not sure how much fuel pressure you are suppose to have. Is the cranking speed around 250 RPM is another thing to consider. Not sure what is exactly controlling the fuel pressure as the desired is 10.5 psi low. It might just be too much for it to go. How many hours on the unit, is it just worn out or have all the fuel filters and banjo fitting screens been changed if it has any.
If forcing air into the tank while cranking helps it to start, it would indicate either bockage of the fuel or wear on the fuel system charging circuit.
Simon C
 
Joined
May 17, 2026
Messages
20
Location
Anchorage AK, United States
I have a Caterpillar 3126 crank no start once in a while it will try to run for a few seconds and dies out. At times it has smoke then at other times you can crank and get no smoke at all. I have fuel coming back from return line with no bubbles. Anything else common on these? I also tried connecting a high pressure electric pump to feed the fuel system but does the same thing. Engine family number is 5CPXL07.2HSL ARRANGE 198-3456 SERIAL BEJ14497
Since you already verified fuel return and no air bubbles, I'd start looking at the HEUI side. On the 3126, low injection actuation pressure is a pretty common no-start cause. The fact that it sometimes smokes and sometimes doesn't makes me think ICP sensor, IAPCV/IPR valve, high-pressure oil leak, or even a weak HEUI pump. I'd also hook up Cat ET and watch cranking RPM and injection pressure while it's acting up. Fuel supply sounds less likely if you've already tried an electric feed pump.

If you don't already have the service manual for that arrangement/serial number, the troubleshooting section can save a lot of guessing. You can usually find Caterpillar manuals at ManualsKart.
 
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