Common Problems and Solutions for the Caterpillar 3204 Engine

The CAT 3204 is a 4-cylinder engine with a lot of power that suits many applications. ProDieselParts offers all the parts needed to fix your CAT 3204. These are the major problems and solutions found in the CAT 3204 engines:

1. Hard starting: One of the main issues of the CAT 3204 engine, is hard starting, where the engine may have trouble starting or fail to start altogether. 

There are two major causes of hard starting in this engine;

• a. Weak injectors: When injectors become weak, the engine will struggle to start. However, as soon as you use a starter fluid, the engine won’t struggle to start. Find injectors and parts here at ProDieselParts.

The solution to this kind of problem is to replace the injectors. You should also check the fuel pressure if it is between 30 to 40 psi.

• b. Low Compression: If the CAT 3204 engine has low compression, it will not start. To confirm low compression, you need to conduct a compression test or leak-down test.

If you experience low compression, you might consider overhauling the engine. This could be a result of wear in piston rings, pistons, or bad liners.

2. Bad bearings: Bad bearings are another common issue found in the CAT 3204. Crankshaft bearings often become faulty, but they can be difficult to detect because it doesn’t affect how smoothly the engine can run. 
Don’t wait for a knocking sound before you think you have bad bearings.

To troubleshoot this issue you can check the oil when draining it to see if you can find any particles of metal shaving. You should also check the oil filter for particles.