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Old 04-17-2021, 05:04 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Southern Indiana
Posts: 22
Year: 2004
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All-American FE
Engine: Cat3126 (Manufactured to '03 EPA standards)
Rated Cap: Mid-size, 9/10 window
3126 Oil Capacity

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I have a 2004 Bluebird FE with a Cat3126 "manufactured to 2003 standards." Bus runs great and has no visible problems. I spoke directly with the School District mechanic before we purchased and was at peace with historical maintenance. I do not have a manual specific for this motor, but several good references for comparable models and years. I just performed my 1st oil change, largely because I am starting and stopping the engine frequently during wiring removal. What I've been able to find suggested an oil capacity of 30 quarts with filter. Oil was a bit low before drainage, and I got about 20 quarts out. I checked level during filling and I am spot on the dipstick "full" mark with 21 quarts new oil (with filter). This is following a good test drive to get at operating temperature and highway speeds. Oil pressure was great, temps were good, oil still looks good after about the 30 mile test drive. Is my 3126 engine capacity 20 quarts? Thanks in advance.

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Old 04-17-2021, 05:56 PM   #2
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 18,758
Year: 1991
Coachwork: Carpenter
Chassis: International 3800
Engine: DTA360 / MT643
Rated Cap: 7 Row Handicap
if I remember right theres 2 oil pans offered for the 3126 a deep and shallow.. deep pan is 30 qt and shallow is 23 (i think) which includes filter and HPOP...
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Old 04-17-2021, 05:59 PM   #3
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Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Long Beach, CA
Posts: 1,075
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC2000, 40' MPV
Engine: 5.9 Cummins/B300 trans
Rated Cap: U/K
Cat has on-line PDF files

https://www.cat.com/en_US.html

From my brief search it's between 19 & 21 quarts
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Old 04-17-2021, 09:10 PM   #4
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Southern Indiana
Posts: 22
Year: 2004
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All-American FE
Engine: Cat3126 (Manufactured to '03 EPA standards)
Rated Cap: Mid-size, 9/10 window
Quote:
Originally Posted by cadillackid View Post
if I remember right theres 2 oil pans offered for the 3126 a deep and shallow.. deep pan is 30 qt and shallow is 23 (i think) which includes filter and HPOP...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rwnielsen View Post
Cat has on-line PDF files

https://www.cat.com/en_US.html

From my brief search it's between 19 & 21 quarts

Thank you and my apologies for the delayed gratitude. I just came back in from a narrow overtime win in the quarterfinals against wiring. I thought I had a deep pan, but with no frame of reference...? And, in my searching, I never found a spec for "23 quarts" or "between 19 & 21 quarts." But, I feel a bit more relaxed now. The motor is full of clean oil with 21 quarts. Again, thanks so much...and onward with wiring...actually without wiring!
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Old 05-30-2021, 09:01 AM   #5
Bus Crazy
 
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Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Moved to Zealand!
Posts: 1,517
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freightliner FS-65
Engine: 7.2L Cat 3126 turbo diesel
Rated Cap: 71 passenger 30,000 gvwr
Note that even the documentation says "approximate"

Other variables include your eng oil cooler size if installed.
Attached Thumbnails
2002CAT3126oilrefillchart003.jpg  
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Old 05-30-2021, 09:11 AM   #6
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Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 6,995
Year: 2003
Coachwork: International
Chassis: CE 300
Engine: DT466e
Rated Cap: 65C-43A
Quote:
Originally Posted by banman View Post
Note that even the documentation says "approximate"

Other variables include your eng oil cooler size if installed.
Hey man, nice to see you back! Sorry it's under the circumstances of your selling the bus.
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Old 05-30-2021, 09:59 AM   #7
Bus Crazy
 
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Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Moved to Zealand!
Posts: 1,517
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freightliner FS-65
Engine: 7.2L Cat 3126 turbo diesel
Rated Cap: 71 passenger 30,000 gvwr
Quote:
Originally Posted by musigenesis View Post
Hey man, nice to see you back! Sorry it's under the circumstances of your selling the bus.
Thanks!

Life's been crazy -- we thought about keeping the bus -- use it for storage while we're in Denmark, but a storage lot is not the most secure storage solution and does no favors to the bus so it's best to pass it on...
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