Caterpillarengine - generator setgenerator
Caterpillar GE
Maintenance schedule, common problems & OEM parts breakdown
Caterpillar GE is a factory model tag for a packaged diesel generator-set engine, not a piece of mobile equipment. It pairs a Cat 3306 inline six-cylinder diesel - turbocharged, precombustion-chamber (PC) fuel system, mechanically governed, no engine control module, and no confirmed factory aftercooler - with a base, radiator, control panel, and SR4-family brushless generator end. Output falls in the roughly 135-250 kW (190-275 hp gross engine) band depending on kW, voltage, and frequency spec. The 3306 engine family entered production in the early-to-mid 1970s as a replacement for the 1673 and 3160 engines and stayed in generator-set service through the 1980s and into the 1990s before direct-injection and electronically-governed successors took over. Cat offered the set as an open skid-mount or a sound-attenuated enclosure, with or without an integral base fuel tank, in both 50 Hz and 60 Hz builds.
Across the 3306 generator-set lineage, the major change was the fuel system: this precombustion-chamber, mechanically-governed engine gave way to direct injection for better fuel economy and cleaner exhaust, then to the 3306B EPG generation, which added electronic governing for the tighter frequency and voltage regulation modern paralleling and controls demand. Running turbocharged without confirmed aftercooling, the GE-era engine carries higher exhaust and cylinder temperatures than later air-to-air aftercooled versions, trading peak efficiency for mechanical simplicity and field rebuildability. In today's used and parts market, GE-tagged sets persist mainly as standby and rental prime movers and as a source of mechanical fuel-system, precombustion-chamber head, turbocharger, and SR4 generator-end components for keeping older 3306 gensets running, backed by parts commonality across the wider 3300 engine family.
Below: full specifications, fluids & capacities, the factory service schedule, common service parts, verified fault codes, what owners discuss, attachment guidance, the complete assembly directory, and a serial-number reference. Complete parts lists with full OEM part numbers, exploded diagrams, quantities, and fitment data are available free in Heavy Parts AI.
Caterpillar GE specifications
Engine
| Engine model | Caterpillar 3306, inline-6, 4-stroke, water-cooled diesel factory generator-set engine arrangement |
| Design / generation | This arrangement is the precombustion-chamber (PC), turbocharged version with no aftercooling. Later 3306B / PCTA / DITA / ATAAC updates added aftercooling and direct injection with different compression ratios; don't mix specs across generations |
| Displacement | 10.5 L (638 cu in) |
| Bore x stroke | 121 mm x 152 mm (4.75 in x 6.00 in) |
| Compression ratio | 17.5:1 for this turbocharged PC arrangement. Later turbocharged-aftercooled variants run roughly 10.4-15.5:1; don't cross-apply to this arrangement |
| Aspiration | Turbocharged, no aftercooling on this arrangement |
| Fuel system / governor | Mechanical inline injection pump with hydromechanical governor |
| Power rating | 3306 generator-set family spans roughly 125-250 ekW (155-330 hp) at 1500 rpm (50 Hz) or 1800 rpm (60 Hz), depending on rating and aftercooling. This non-aftercooled turbocharged arrangement sits toward the lower-to-mid end of that range; confirm exact nameplate ekW for the specific unit serial |
| Emissions tier | Mechanically governed, pre-emissions-tier design, no ECM |
Weights
| Bare engine weight | Approx. 1,100-1,400 kg (2,425-3,086 lb), varies by accessory arrangement |
| Packaged generator set weight | Varies widely by enclosure, radiator, and base-tank configuration. Open skid packages in the 155-250 ekW range run roughly 2,600-3,000 kg (5,750-6,500 lb); lighter or heavier depending on options selected |
| Ground pressure | Not applicable, stationary engine-generator set with no undercarriage |
Dimensions
| Transport length | Approx. 2.9-3.8 m (113-150 in) for skid-mounted packages, depending on rating and radiator/tank size |
| Transport width | Approx. 0.9-1.35 m (36-53 in) |
| Transport height | Approx. 1.45-1.9 m (57-75 in) |
| Wheelbase / track gauge | Not applicable, stationary skid-mounted set |
| Ground clearance | Not applicable, stationary skid-mounted set |
Performance
| Rated speed | 1500 rpm (50 Hz) or 1800 rpm (60 Hz) |
| Power output range | Family spans roughly 125-250 ekW (155-313 kVA) across ratings and aspiration levels; 50 Hz ratings run lower than 60 Hz ratings on the same block |
| Fuel consumption | Not documented for this specific non-aftercooled turbocharged arrangement. A comparable mid-range aftercooled 3306 gen-set rating in this power class burns roughly 24 L/h (6.3 US gal/h) at 75% load and 30 L/h (8.0 US gal/h) at full load; this arrangement would use somewhat less at the same load |
| Travel speed / gradeability / drawbar | Not applicable, stationary generator-set engine with no traction system |
Service capacities (summary)
| Fuel tank | Not a fixed engine spec. Sub-base or day tanks are sized by the packager for required runtime, commonly ranging roughly 570-2,650 L (150-700 US gal) |
| Engine oil | Approx. 27-34 L (7.2-9.0 US gal) refill |
| Cooling system | Approx. 30-50 L (32-53 US qt), depends on radiator or heat-exchanger configuration |
| Hydraulic system | Not applicable, no hydraulic system on this engine-generator set |
Values vary by configuration, region, and serial range — confirm against your machine before planning transport or lifts.
GE fluids & capacities
| System | Capacity | Recommended fluid |
|---|---|---|
| Engine crankcase (with oil filter) | 27-34 L (7.1-9.0 US gal), varies by configuration/series — naturally aspirated base engine vs turbocharged option, and by oil pan depth ordered | Cat DEO (Diesel Engine Oil). Use SAE 30 in steady warm climates, SAE 10W-30 where temperatures swing, and 15W-40 multigrade as a year-round choice in temperate zones. Oil must meet the diesel engine oil service category called out on the engine's own lube chart at minimum. |
| Cooling system | 30-50 L (7.9-13.2 US gal), varies by configuration/series — radiator size and shrouding differ across packaged genset arrangements for this engine | Caterpillar heavy-duty coolant/antifreeze (ethylene-glycol base) with a cooling system conditioner (SCA) added and topped up at the scheduled interval. Do not run water-only in freezing climates. |
| Fuel tank (base-mounted) | Not documented in available sources for this exact package — sub-base tank size follows the runtime/kVA rating ordered for the set; verify capacity from the tank nameplate or dealer parts book | Clean No. 2-D diesel fuel meeting Caterpillar's fuel specification; drain water and sediment from the tank and separator on schedule. |
| Grease points (spec only) | Not applicable — grease fittings on the engine-generator base, linkage, and drive coupling take small manual shots, no bulk fill volume | Cat Multipurpose Grease (NLGI 2 lithium-complex EP grease) at all base and linkage fittings. |
Capacities are refill values from factory literature — always fill to the dipstick/sight gauge, not the number.
Caterpillar GE maintenance schedule
| Service interval | Tasks |
|---|---|
| Every 50 h |
|
| Every 250 h |
|
| Every 500 h |
|
| Every 1,000 h |
|
| Every 2,000 h |
|
| Every 4,000 h |
|
| Every 6,000 h |
|
Servicing the GE beyond the schedule
Predictive Maintenance & Fluid Analysis
Run scheduled S·O·S oil and coolant sampling on this mechanically-governed 3306 PC engine - it has no ECM to flag wear trends, so lab analysis is the main early-warning tool for injector and precombustion-chamber wear, coolant additive depletion, and turbocharger bearing wear. Track exhaust temperature and boost by hand at each service, since there is no aftercooler stage to buffer heat. On the SR4 generator end, periodically test winding insulation resistance and log voltage-regulator output drift before it causes hunting or overvoltage trips.
Corrective & Common Repairs
Hard starting, white smoke, or rough idle usually traces to worn precombustion-chamber inserts or injector spray breakdown, not electronics - this engine has none to fault-code. Black smoke or flat power often points to a stuck fuel-ratio-control diaphragm failing to open the injection pump rack as boost rises. Turbocharged without confirmed aftercooling, this engine runs hotter exhaust, so turbocharger bearing wear and oil seal leaks surface sooner than on aftercooled variants. On the generator end, a no-build or voltage-drift condition is usually a regulator or exciter fault, not a winding failure.
Overhaul & Rebuild Points
Top-end overhaul on this PC engine centers on precombustion chamber inserts, valve seats, and injector nozzles, since chamber wear drives compression loss and hard starting with no electronic trim to compensate. Check cylinder liner protrusion and ring wear at the same interval. Rebuild the turbocharger cartridge as a unit rather than chasing individual wear, given the engine's non-aftercooled duty cycle. On the generator end, plan bearing replacement and insulation-resistance retesting together, and re-align the coupling and adapter housing whenever either end is pulled for service.
Seasonal & Environment Servicing
Cold starts on this precombustion-chamber engine get harder as clearances and injector spray quality age, so check the starting-aid system and block heater before winter and verify coolant freeze-protection concentration. In hot or dusty sites, clean the radiator core and generator air-inlet screens more often, since a non-aftercooled turbocharged engine already runs hot and dust loading raises exhaust and winding temperatures further. Standby units at either extreme need regular no-load exercise runs to keep fuel from gumming the mechanical injection pump and to drive moisture out of the generator windings between services.
GE common service parts
| Part number | Part | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1P-2299 | Filter As-Fuel | Fuel system service | Check fitment → |
| 2Y-8670 | Filter As-Fuel | Fuel system service | Check fitment → |
Always confirm against your machine's serial number — cross-check any part in Heavy Parts AI before ordering.
GE fault codes & troubleshooting
| Code | Meaning | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOW OIL PRESSURE (Shutdown) | Dedicated shutdown lamp lights when engine oil pressure drops below the safe setpoint at running speed; the oil pressure contactor switch trips and de-energizes the fuel shutoff solenoid to stop the engine. | Low crankcase oil level, plugged oil filter or strainer, worn oil pump or main/rod bearings, or a failed pressure switch/sender. | Shut down, check oil level and filter condition, inspect the pressure switch and wiring before restarting. Do not bypass the switch to keep the set running. |
| HIGH WATER TEMPERATURE (Shutdown) | Dedicated shutdown lamp lights when coolant temperature exceeds the safe setpoint; the water temperature contactor switch trips and shuts off fuel to the engine. | Low coolant level, blocked radiator or heat exchanger, slipping or broken fan belt, a stuck thermostat, or a failed temperature switch. | Let the engine cool, check coolant level and radiator/heat exchanger for restriction, inspect belt and thermostat, and verify the switch before restart. |
| OVERSPEED (Shutdown) | Dedicated shutdown lamp lights when engine speed exceeds the governor's rated limit; the overspeed contactor switch, mounted on the tachometer drive, trips and cuts fuel. | Governor or linkage malfunction, sudden loss of electrical load, a sticking fuel rack, or a misadjusted/faulty overspeed switch. | Do not restart until the governor linkage and fuel rack are checked for binding and the overspeed switch setting is verified. |
| OVERCRANK / FAIL TO START (Shutdown) | Dedicated shutdown lamp lights and cranking locks out when the engine does not reach a run condition within the allowed cranking cycle. | Fuel supply interrupted (empty tank, air in system, closed shutoff), weak battery or starter, fuel solenoid not pulling in, or cold-weather starting aid needed. | Check fuel supply and shutoff valve, battery condition and starter engagement, and confirm the fuel solenoid energizes during cranking, then reset and retry. |
| EMERGENCY STOP | Dedicated shutdown lamp lights and the set locks out when the emergency-stop pushbutton is pressed or its wiring loop opens. | Pushbutton manually activated, or a loose/broken wire in the E-stop circuit. | Confirm the pushbutton is pulled out and reset, check E-stop loop continuity, then clear the panel fault before restarting. |
| LOW COOLANT LEVEL | Alarm lamp lights (shutdown on some panel configurations) when the coolant level switch or probe senses coolant below the safe level in the top tank or expansion tank. | Coolant leak, incomplete fill after service, or a faulty level float/probe. | Check and top off coolant with the correct mix once the engine is cool, check for external or internal leaks, and verify the level sensor. |
| LOW DC VOLTAGE / CHARGING FAULT | Alarm lamp lights (some panels wire it as a shutdown) when starting-battery voltage or charging output falls outside the acceptable range, warning that cranking or control power may be compromised. | Weak or sulfated batteries, loose or corroded battery cables, or a failed charging alternator or voltage regulator. | Load-test the batteries, clean and tighten connections, and check charging alternator output and belt tension. |
| NOT IN AUTO | Status/alarm lamp lights when the engine control switch is left in OFF or MANUAL instead of AUTO, so the set will not answer a remote or automatic start signal. | Switch left out of AUTO after maintenance, testing, or a manual run. | Return the control switch to AUTO and confirm the lamp clears. |
Codes and remedies are general guidance for this model family — always confirm with diagnostic tooling and your dealer before major repairs.
GE attachments & work tools
Generator end and drive coupling
This engine is packaged as a close-coupled, single-bearing set with an SR4 generator end bolted to an SAE flywheel-housing adapter — there is no separate driveshaft or ground-engaging coupler as on a mobile machine. The coupling/installation group ties the generator rotor directly to the engine flywheel, so generator-end size is matched to the engine arrangement ordered, not field-interchangeable across unrelated frames.
Circuit breaker and switchgear options
Engine-mounted circuit breaker and mounting groups are offered in a handful of frame sizes to match the ordered kW/voltage combination, broadly in the low hundreds of amps up to roughly 500 A class for this generator-set size range. Breaker and generator-lead connection groups are ordered as a matched set with the terminal box, not mixed across ratings.
Voltage and frequency (reconnectable) configuration
The generator leads terminate at a reconnectable terminal strip, and a factory voltage-conversion group lets the set be strapped for a low or high voltage tap (for example a 120/208-class low connection versus a 240/416-class high connection) on the same winding. Frequency (50 Hz vs 60 Hz) and exact voltage/phase are set by the engine speed and winding ordered at build, not user-selectable after the fact.
Cooling arrangement
Standard configuration is an engine-mounted radiator and blower fan with a belt-driven jacket-water pump, built as part of the base engine arrangement. Sets in this engine family were also offered with remote-radiator, heat-exchanger, or keel-cooled arrangements for enclosed or marine-type installations, though the parts breakdown for this specific job only documents the radiator-cooled arrangement.
Base, mounting, and lifting hardware
The engine and generator sit on a common fabricated steel base group, with a separate base/battery hardware group carrying wing nuts and eyebolts for battery mounting and set lifting. A fuel tank-and-base group is offered as an alternative to the plain engine base where the day tank is built into the skid rather than supplied separately.
Control and instrument panel
This is a mechanically governed, pre-electronic-monitoring generation of packaged set: the control/instrument panel groups carry analog gauges (fuel level, oil pressure, temperature) plus a separate control panel and terminal strip for the breaker and voltage-regulator wiring. It predates Caterpillar's later EMCP digital panel line, so panel options are limited to gauge-panel and breaker-panel variants rather than digital/automatic-transfer control modules.
Starting and cold-weather options
Electric start is standard, with a glow-plug-and-switch group offered as a starting aid alongside the plain glow-plug group; a manual and a mechanical fuel shutoff group are both documented, letting the set be ordered with either shutoff method. Battery and charging-alternator groups are sized to the electric starting-motor group fitted.
All GE assemblies by section
Every catalogued assembly group for the Caterpillar GE. Open an assembly to preview the parts inside — full OEM part numbers are available in Heavy Parts AI.
Air Inlet And Exhaust System
2y7780 Lines Gp-Air
| 2Y***80 | Lines Group-Air | 1 |
8n4703 Lines Gp-Turbocharger Air Inlet
| 8N***03 | Lines Group-Air; Lines Gp-Turbocharger Air Inlet | 1 |
8n2589 Lines Gp-Turbocharger Oil
| 8N***89 | Lines Group-Turbocharger Oil | 1 |
2y8927 Air Cleaner Gp
| 2Y***27 | Air Cleaner Group | 1 |
2y7457 Air Cleaner Gp
| 2Y***57 | Air Cleaner Group | 1 |
2y2289 Air Cleaner Gp
| 2Y***89 | Air Cleaner Group | 1 |
8n2361 Cartridge Gp-Turbocharger*R
| 8N***61 | Cartridge Group-Turbocharger | 1 |
4n9586 Fastener Gp-Exhaust Manifold
| 4N***86 | Fastener Group-Exhaust Manifold; Exhaust Manifold Fastener Group | 1 |
2y7976 Exhaust Fitting Gp
| 2Y***76 | Fitting Group-Exhaust | 1 |
2y5343 Manifold Gp-Exhaust
| 2Y***43 | Manifold Group-Exhaust | 1 |
8s1335 Muffler Gp-Exhaust
| 8S***35 | Muffler Group; Muffler Gp-Exhaust | 1 |
2y7830 Air Precleaner Gp
| 2Y***30 | Precleaner Group | 1 |
8n2360 Turbocharger Gp
| 8N***60 | Turbocharger Group | 1 |
2y7770 Turbocharger Gp
| 2Y***70 | Turbocharger Group | 1 |
8n2356 Turbocharger Gp
| 8N***56 | Turbocharger Group | 1 |
Basic Engine
3n2886 Adapter Gp-Seal
| 3N***86 | Adapter Group-Seal; -Crankshaft | 1 |
1n4406 Camshaft Gp
| 1N***06 | Camshaft Group-Single; Camshaft Group--Single | 1 |
7n1292 Cover Gp-Cylinder Block
| 7N***92 | Cover Group-Cylinder Block; Cylinder Block Cover Group | 1 |
2p6530 Cover Gp-Cylinder Head
| 2P***30 | Cover Group-Cylinder Head; Cylinder Head Cover Group | 1 |
2p6528 Cover Gp-Front Housing
| 2P***28 | Cover Group-Front Housing; Front Housing Cover Group | 1 |
2p6516 Cover Gp-Valve Mechanism
| 2P***16 | Cover Group-Valve Mechanism; Valve Mechanism Cover Group | 1 |
4n7693 Crankshaft As*R
| 4N***93 | Crankshaft As | 1 |
2y4517 Crankshaft As*R
| 2Y***17 | Crankshaft As | 1 |
Crankshaft Bearing Replacements
| 8N***25 | Bearing (1.25mm Undersize) | 7 |
| 8N***26 | Bearing (0.51mm Undersize) | 7 |
| 8N***27 | Bearing (0.76mm Undersize) | 7 |
2y5206 Crankshaft Gp
| 2Y***06 | Crankshaft Group; Crankshaft Group | 1 |
2y5235 Cylinder Block As
| 2Y***35 | Cylinder Block As | 1 |
7n6550 Cylinder Block As
| 7N***50 | Cylinder Block As | 1 |
8n3021 Cylinder Block Gp
| 8N***21 | Cylinder Block Group; Cylinder Block Group | 1 |
1n3576 Cylinder Block Gp
| 1N***76 | Cylinder Block Group | 1 |
2y9363 Cylinder Block Gp
| 2Y***63 | Cylinder Block Group | 1 |
2y6548 Cylinder Head Gp
| 2Y***48 | Cylinder Head Group | 1 |
2y9517 Cylinder Head Gp
| 2Y***17 | Cylinder Head Group | 1 |
2y6553 Damper Gp
| 2Y***53 | Damper Group | 1 |
2p7831 Drive Gp-Fan
| 2P***31 | Drive Group-Fan; Fan Drive Group | 1 |
7n9536 Fastener Gp-Cylinder Head
| 7N***36 | Fastener Group-Cylinder Head; Cylindetr Head Fastener Group | 1 |
2p6546 Fastener Gp-Cylinder Head
| 2P***46 | Fastener Group-Cylinder Head; Cylinder Head Fastener Group | 1 |
3n2887 Fastener Gp-Front Housing
| 3N***87 | Fastener Group-Front Housing; Front Housing Fastener Group | 1 |
2p6200 Fastener Gp-Engine Oil Pan
| 2P***00 | Fastener Group-Oil Pan; Fastener Gp-Engine Oil Pan | 1 |
7n3496 Flywheel Gp
| 7N***96 | Flywheel Group | 1 |
1w6445 Gear Gp-Front Timing
| 1W***45 | Gear Group-Front Timing; Front Timing Gear Group | 1 |
2y7440 Housing Gp-Flywheel
| 2Y***40 | Housing Group-Flywheel | 1 |
2y6585 Housing Gp-Front
| 2Y***85 | Housing Group-Front; Front Housing Group | 1 |
2p9641 Housing Gp-Front
| 2P***41 | Housing Group-Front; Front Housing Group | 1 |
2y5347 Lifting Eye Gp-Engine
| 2Y***47 | Lifting Group; Lifting Eye Gp-Engine | 1 |
6n8336 Lifting Eye Gp-Engine
| 6N***36 | Lifting Group; Lifting Eye Gp-Engine | 1 |
2y6545 Pan Gp-Oil
| 2Y***45 | Pan Group-Oil | 1 |
2p6272 Rod & Piston Gp-17.5 : 1 Ratio
| 2P***72 | Piston & Rod Group | 1 |
7n2879 Pulley Gp-Crankshaft
| 7N***79 | Pulley Group-Crankshaft; Crankshaft Pulley Group | 1 |
2y5285 Pulley Gp-Fan
| 2Y***85 | Pulley Group-Fan Drive | 1 |
2p6224 Seal Gp-Crankshaft
| 2P***24 | Seal Group-Crankshaft; Crankshaft Seal Group | 1 |
3n2883 Support Gp-Engine
| 3N***83 | Support Group | 1 |
2p6526 Valve Mechanism Gp
| 2P***26 | Valve-Mechanism Group; Valve Mechanism Group | 1 |
Cooling System
8n4457 Base Gp-Engine Oil Filter
| 8N***57 | Base Group-Oil Filter; Base Group-Engine Oil Filter | 1 |
8n4457 Base Gp-Oil Filter
| 8N***57 | Base Group-Oil Filter; Base Group-Engine Oil Filter | 1 |
2p7738 Cooler Gp-Engine Oil
| 2P***38 | Cooler Group-Engine Oil; Engine Oil Cooler Group | 1 |
2y7990 Cooler Gp-Filter Base & Engine Oil
| 2Y***90 | Cooler Group-Filter Base & Eng Oil; Cooler Gp-Filter Base & Engine Oil | 1 |
7w0980 Cooler Gp-Filter Base & Engine Oil
| 7W***80 | Cooler Group-Filter Base & Eng Oil | 1 |
2y7989 Cooler Gp-Filter Base & Engine Oil
| 2Y***89 | Cooler Group-Filter Base & Eng Oil | 1 |
2y6590 Fan Gp-Blower
| 2Y***90 | Fan Group-Blower | 1 |
2p6475 Filter Gp-Engine Oil
| 2P***75 | Filter Group-Engine Oil; Oil Filter Group (10z1 ~ 10z7023) | 1 |
2p8173 Housing & Regulator Gp
| 2P***73 | Housing & Regulator Group; Regulator And Housing Group | 1 |
2y6564 Lines Gp-Water-Elbow
| 2Y***64 | Lines Group-Water | 1 |
8n4112 Lines Gp-Water
| 8N***12 | Lines Group-Water; -Bypass Relief | 1 |
2y8079 Lines Gp-Water
| 2Y***79 | Lines Group-Water; Water Lines Group | 1 |
7n9905 Lines Gp-Water
| 7N***05 | Lines Group-Water; Water Lines Group | 1 |
7n5909 Pump Gp-Water
| 7N***09 | Pump Group-Water; Water Pump Group | 1 |
2w8001 Pump Gp-Water*R
| 2W***01 | Pump Group-Water | 1 |
2y5320 Radiator Gp-Part 1 Of 2
| 2Y***20 | Radiator Group | 1 |
2y5320 Radiator Gp-Part 2 Of 2
| 2Y***20 | Radiator Group | 1 |
2y5333 Support Gp-Radiator
| 2Y***33 | Support Group-Radiator | 1 |
Engine Arrangement
2y5286 Engine Ar-Part 1 Of 2
| 1N***06 | Camshaft Group-Single; Camshaft Group--Single | 1 |
| 1P***99 | Filter As-Fuel; (Advanced Efficiency)(Secondary) | 1 |
| 1P***44 | Breather Group | 1 |
2y9066 Engine Ar-Part 2 Of 2
| 2P***84 | Pump Group-Engine Oil; Engine Oil Pump Group | 1 |
| 2P***05 | Lines Group-Engine Oil; Engine Oil Lines Group | 1 |
| 2P***24 | Seal Group-Crankshaft; Crankshaft Seal Group | 1 |
2y9066 Engine Ar-Part 1 Of 2
| 1N***06 | Camshaft Group-Single; Camshaft Group--Single | 1 |
| 1P***44 | Breather Group | 1 |
| 1W***45 | Gear Group-Front Timing; Front Timing Gear Group | 1 |
2y9490 Engine Ar-Part 1 Of 2
| 1N***06 | Camshaft Group-Single; Camshaft Group--Single | 1 |
| 1P***44 | Breather Group | 1 |
| 1W***45 | Gear Group-Front Timing; Front Timing Gear Group | 1 |
2y5286 Engine Ar-Part 2 Of 2
| 2P***84 | Pump Group-Engine Oil; Engine Oil Pump Group | 1 |
| 2P***05 | Lines Group-Engine Oil; Engine Oil Lines Group | 1 |
| 2P***24 | Seal Group-Crankshaft; Crankshaft Seal Group | 1 |
2y7606 Packaged Generator Set Engine
| 2Y***99 | Starting Motor Group-Electric | 1 |
| 2Y***36 | Alternator Group-Charging | 1 |
| 2Y***92 | Vee Belt Set-(Includes 2 Belts) | 1 |
2y9236 Engine Ar-Part 2 Of 2
| 2P***84 | Pump Group-Engine Oil; Engine Oil Pump Group | 1 |
| 2P***05 | Lines Group-Engine Oil; Engine Oil Lines Group | 1 |
| 2P***24 | Seal Group-Crankshaft; Crankshaft Seal Group | 1 |
2y9236 Engine Ar-Part 1 Of 2
| 1N***06 | Camshaft Group-Single; Camshaft Group--Single | 1 |
| 1P***44 | Breather Group | 1 |
| 1W***45 | Gear Group-Front Timing; Front Timing Gear Group | 1 |
2y9246 Packaged Generator Set Engine
| 2Y***99 | Starting Motor Group-Electric | 1 |
| 2Y***36 | Alternator Group-Charging | 1 |
| 2Y***92 | Vee Belt Set-(Includes 2 Belts) | 1 |
2y9490 Engine Ar-Part 2 Of 2
| 2P***84 | Pump Group-Engine Oil; Engine Oil Pump Group | 1 |
| 2P***05 | Lines Group-Engine Oil; Engine Oil Lines Group | 1 |
| 2P***24 | Seal Group-Crankshaft; Crankshaft Seal Group | 1 |
Fuel System And Governor
8n9790 Lines Gp-Fuel Injection
| 8N***90 | Lines Group-Fuel Injection | 1 |
8n9617 Lines Gp-Fuel Injection
| 8N***17 | Lines Group-Fuel Injection | 1 |
6n7607 Pump Gp-Governor & Fuel Injection
| 6N***07 | Pump Group-Gov & Fuel Inj | 1 |
| 6N***13 | Pump Group-Gov & Fuel Inj | 1 |
6n7613 Pump Gp-Governor & Fuel Injection
| 6N***13 | Pump Group-Gov & Fuel Inj | 1 |
4n9754 Pump Gp-Governor & Fuel Injection-Part 2 Of 4
| 4N***54 | Pump Group-Gov & Fuel Inj | 1 |
4n9754 Pump Gp-Governor & Fuel Injection-Part 4 Of 4
| 4N***54 | Pump Group-Gov & Fuel Inj | 1 |
4n9754 Pump Gp-Governor & Fuel Injection-Part 1 Of 4
| 4N***54 | Pump Group-Gov & Fuel Inj | 1 |
4n9754 Pump Gp-Governor & Fuel Injection-Part 3 Of 4
| 4N***54 | Pump Group-Gov & Fuel Inj | 1 |
6n0271 Pump Gp-Governor & Fuel Injection-Part 1 Of 2
| 6N***71 | Pump Group-Gov & Fuel Inj | 1 |
7n1780 Pump Gp-Governor & Fuel Injection
| 7N***80 | Pump Group-Gov & Fuel Inj | 1 |
6n0271 Pump Gp-Governor & Fuel Injection-Part 2 Of 2
| 6N***71 | Pump Group-Gov & Fuel Inj | 1 |
4n3829 Control Gp-Governor
| 4N***29 | Control Group-Governor | 1 |
4n4600 Control Gp-Governor
| 4N***00 | Control Group-Governor | 1 |
2y8670 Filter As-Fuel
| 2Y***70 | Filter As-Fuel | 1 |
1p2299 Filter As-Fuel
| 1P***99 | Filter As-Fuel; (Advanced Efficiency)(Secondary) | 1 |
2y7305 Lines Gp-Drain
| 2Y***05 | Lines Group-Drain | 1 |
2y8030 Lines Gp-Flexible Fuel Oil
| 2Y***30 | Lines Group-Flexible Fuel; Lines Gp-Flexible Fuel Oil | 1 |
5n5997 Lines Gp-Flexible Fuel Oil
| 5N***97 | Lines Group-Flexible Fuel; Lines Gp-Flexible Fuel Oil | 1 |
4n4314 Pump Gp-Fuel Priming
| 4N***14 | Pump Group-Fuel Priming; Fuel Priming Pump Group | 1 |
2y7430 Separator Gp-Water
| 2Y***30 | Separator Group-Water | 1 |
6n0509 Torque Control Gp
| 6N***09 | Torque Control Group | 1 |
Gauges And Accessories
2y7296 Gauge Gp-Fuel
| 2Y***96 | Gauge Group-Fuel | 1 |
2y7393 Panel Gp-Instrument
| 2Y***93 | Panel Group-Instrument | 1 |
Generators
2y7937 Base & Battery Hardware Gp
| 1F***39 | Nut-Wing; (1/4-20) | 3 |
| 2Y***21 | Eyebolt | 3 |
| 2Y***82 | Base Group-Engine | 1 |
2y7747 Base Gp-Engine
| 2Y***47 | Base Group-Engine | 1 |
2y6582 Base Gp-Engine
| 2Y***82 | Base Group-Engine | 1 |
2y7560 Box Gp-Terminal-Part 2 Of 2
| 2Y***60 | Box Group-Terminal | 1 |
2y7560 Box Gp-Terminal-Part 1 Of 2
| 2Y***60 | Box Group-Terminal | 1 |
2y9061 Circuit Breaker & Mounting Gp
| 2Y***79 | Mounting Group-Circuit Breaker | 1 |
| 2Y***31 | Connection Group-Generator Leads | 1 |
| 2Y***32 | Circuit Breaker As 300 Ampere | 1 |
2y7795 Circuit Breaker & Mounting Gp
| 2Y***81 | Mounting Group-Circuit Breaker | 1 |
| 2Y***85 | Circuit Breaker As ( 500 Amps) | 1 |
| 2Y***95 | Circuit Breaker & Mounting Group | 1 |
2y7550 Connection Gp-Generator Leads
| 2Y***50 | Connection Group-Generator Leads | 1 |
2y7831 Connection Gp-Generator Leads
| 2Y***31 | Connection Group-Generator Leads | 1 |
2y7931 Connection Gp-Generator Leads
| 2Y***31 | Connection Group-Generator Leads | 1 |
2y7944 Connection Gp-Generator Leads
| 2Y***44 | Connection Group-Generator Leads | 1 |
2y9057 Conversion Gp-Voltage
| 2Y***44 | Strip Group-Terminal | 1 |
| 2Y***31 | Connection Group-Generator Leads | 1 |
| 2Y***57 | Conversion Group-Voltage | 1 |
2y7812 Conversion Gp-Voltage
| 2Y***44 | Strip Group-Terminal | 1 |
| 2Y***12 | Conversion Group-Voltage | 1 |
| 2Y***31 | Connection Group-Generator Leads | 1 |
2y5329 Coupling Gp-Generator Drive
| 2Y***29 | Coupling Group-Generator | 1 |
2y5306 Generator Gp
| 2Y***06 | Generator Group | 1 |
2y7960 Generator Gp
| 2Y***60 | Generator Group | 1 |
2y5336 Installation Ar-Generator
| 2Y***29 | Coupling Group-Generator | 1 |
| 2Y***36 | Installation Ar-Generator | 1 |
| 3H***68 | Bolt-- Bracket To Starting Engine Timing Gear Housing | 12 |
2y7793 Mounting Gp-Circuit Breaker
| 2Y***79 | Mounting Group-Circuit Breaker | 1 |
| 2Y***93 | Mounting Group-Circuit Breaker | 1 |
| 2Y***31 | Connection Group-Generator Leads | 1 |
2y7779 Mounting Gp-Circuit Breaker
| 2Y***79 | Mounting Group-Circuit Breaker | 1 |
2y7581 Mounting Gp-Circuit Breaker
| 2Y***81 | Mounting Group-Circuit Breaker | 1 |
2y7791 Mounting Gp-Circuit Breaker
| 2Y***79 | Mounting Group-Circuit Breaker | 1 |
| 2Y***91 | Mounting Group-Circuit Breaker | 1 |
| 2Y***31 | Connection Group-Generator Leads | 1 |
2y9058 Panel Gp
| 2Y***58 | Panel Group | 1 |
2y9040 Panel Gp-Control
| 2Y***40 | Panel Group-Control | 1 |
2y7939 Panel Gp-Control
| 2Y***39 | Panel Group-Control | 1 |
2y7545 Panel Gp-Control
| 2Y***45 | Panel Group-Control; Mounting Gp-Control | 1 |
1118135 Regulator As
| 11***35 | Regulator As | 1 |
| 2Y***07 | Diode | 1 |
| 2Y***08 | Diode | 1 |
2y7544 Strip Gp-Terminal
| 2Y***44 | Strip Group-Terminal | 1 |
2y7936 Base Gp
| 2Y***36 | Tank & Base Group-Fuel | 1 |
2y7409 Base & Battery Hardware Gp
| 1F***39 | Nut-Wing; (1/4-20) | 3 |
| 2Y***21 | Eyebolt | 3 |
| 2Y***09 | Tank & Base Group-Fuel | 1 |
Lubrication System
1p4244 Breather Gp-Crankcase
| 1P***44 | Breather Group | 1 |
2p6855 Filler Gp-Engine Oil
| 2P***55 | Filler Group-Oil | 1 |
5n5571 Fumes Disposal Gp
| 5N***71 | Fumes Disposal Group | 1 |
2y6278 Fumes Disposal Gp
| 2Y***78 | Fumes Disposal Group; Fumes Disposal Group | 1 |
2p9559 Gauge Gp-Engine Oil Level
| 2P***59 | Gauge Group-Oil Level (Dipstick) | 1 |
2p6105 Lines Gp-Engine Oil
| 2P***05 | Lines Group-Engine Oil; Engine Oil Lines Group | 1 |
2p1785 Pump Gp-Engine Oil*R
| 2P***85 | Pump Group-Engine Oil | 1 |
6n2642 Pump Gp-Engine Oil
| 0S***90 | Bolt; (3/8-16x2in)(Clip Thru Spacer To Bracket As) | 1 |
| 1P***46 | Washer-Hard; (10.2x35x6-mm Thk) | 1 |
| 2P***85 | Pump Group-Engine Oil | 1 |
4w2448 Pump Gp-Engine Oil*R
| 4W***48 | Pump Group-Engine Oil; Pump Gp-Engine Oil Gear | 1 |
4p4020 Pump Gp-Engine Oil
| 4P***20 | Pump Group-Engine Oil; Pump Group-Engine Oil | 1 |
2p1784 Pump Gp-Engine Oil
| 2P***84 | Pump Group-Engine Oil; Engine Oil Pump Group | 1 |
6i1346 Pump Gp-Engine Oil*R
| 6I***46 | Pump Group-Engine Oil | 1 |
Service Equipment And Supplies
Name Plates & Transfers
| 1S***03 | Film Patent (Engine); Film-Patent (Engine) | 1 |
| 1W***48 | Plate-Serial Number On Upper R.H.Side Of | 1 |
| 2P***82 | Film-- Corporate Symbol; -- On Front Frame | 1 |
Starting And Electrical System
2y4212 Alternator Gp
| 2Y***12 | Alternator Group-Charging | 1 |
2y2936 Alternator Gp
| 2Y***36 | Alternator Group-Charging | 1 |
2y7600 Support & Battery Gp
| 2Y***00 | Battery & Support Group; Support & Battery Gp | 1 |
2y7810 Battery Gp
| 2Y***10 | Battery Group | 1 |
2y7384 Circuit Breaker & Regulator Gp
| 2Y***84 | Circuit Breaker & Regulator Group | 1 |
2y8409 Circuit Breaker & Wiring Gp
| 2Y***09 | Circuit Breaker & Wiring Group | 1 |
2y7776 Glow Plug & Switch Gp
| 2Y***76 | Glow Plug & Start Switch Group | 1 |
5s8501 Glow Plug Gp
| 5S***01 | Glow Plug Group; Glow Plug And Wiring Group | 1 |
3n3892 Glow Plug Gp
| 3N***92 | Glow Plug Group; Glow Plug Group-Dummy | 1 |
6n2554 Shutoff Gp-Manual
| 6N***54 | Shutoff Group-Manual | 1 |
2y7552 Shutoff Gp-Mechanical
| 2Y***52 | Shutoff Group-Mechanical | 1 |
2y2299 Starting Motor Gp-Electric
| 2Y***99 | Starting Motor Group-Electric | 1 |
2y2300 Starting Motor Gp-Electric
| 2Y***00 | Starting Motor Group-Electric | 1 |
2y7549 Strip Gp-Terminal
| 2Y***49 | Strip Group-Terminal | 1 |
7n4160 Switch Gp-Start
| 7N***60 | Switch Group | 1 |
2y7395 Switch Gp-Start
| 2Y***95 | Switch Group-Heat Start | 1 |
GE serial number reference
This is a pre-2001 Caterpillar product, so it carries the old 8-character serial number, not the newer 17-character PIN. The tag is a small stamped metal plate mounted on the engine block near the flywheel housing, valve cover, or fuel injection pump side, or on the generator end/control panel frame of the packaged skid. Read the first three characters as the serial prefix identifying the specific engine-generator arrangement and production plant, and the digits that follow as the sequential build number; match that prefix and number against the parts book breakpoint (for example 7HB1-309 versus 7HB310-up) to get the correct part supersession.
| Prefix | Identifies | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 7HB | 3306 Generator Set Engine (packaged engine-generator arrangement) | Sole confirmed prefix for this model. Powered by the 3306 diesel engine, packaged as an engine-generator arrangement. Early-production units used one factory arrangement; a running change partway through the range (around 7HB313-up) shifted to a later arrangement, with further internal supersessions near 7HB310 and 7HB339/340 for items like the water pump and crankshaft group — these are running changes within the same prefix, not separate configurations or additional prefixes. Parts book lists an optional 380-440 volt conversion for early units (7HB1-312) rated near 130 kW, consistent with the output class typically quoted for 3306-based generator sets of this era. No second or later-series prefix (e.g. a 3306B-based successor) is documented on this same model listing — treat any other 3306 gen-set prefix as a separate model, confirm with dealer if needed. |
Frequently asked questions
What engine powers the Caterpillar GE generator set?
A Caterpillar 3306 inline six-cylinder diesel: turbocharged, precombustion-chamber (PC) fuel system, mechanically governed with no engine control module. Factory documentation does not confirm an aftercooler on this configuration. Displacement is approximately 10.5 L (640 cu in), with continuous output roughly 135-250 kW depending on rating and configuration.
What is the operating weight of the Caterpillar GE generator set?
The GE has no undercarriage or mobile chassis, so weight depends entirely on configuration. Bare engine-generator packages on an open skid run roughly 1,400-1,800 kg; enclosed sets with a base fuel tank and full radiator cooling package can reach 2,500 kg or more. Weight varies by kW rating, enclosure, and tank option - confirm the exact figure for a given build with your dealer.
What replaced the Caterpillar GE generator set?
Caterpillar moved the 3306 generator-set line from this precombustion-chamber, mechanically-governed engine to direct-injection 3306 and 3306B versions, then to the electronically-governed 3306B EPG generation for tighter frequency and voltage control. Later Cat generator sets in this power class moved to the C9/C-9 and C9.3 engine families.
What GE owners discuss
What's a known quirk of the mechanical governor on this generator set?
Owners report the governor-to-injection-pump linkage develops oscillation, sometimes called hunting, as the linkage pins, bushings, and governor spring wear with age. Symptoms show up as frequency drift or a rhythmic surge in engine speed under steady load, not just at startup. The usual fix is inspecting and replacing worn linkage pins and bushings, checking governor spring tension, and confirming the mechanical stop and dashpot adjustment are correct. Because output frequency is tied directly to engine speed with no electronic backup on this control, have your dealer verify governor and linkage adjustment before putting the set back on a live load.
Does this precombustion-chamber (PC) engine have different quirks than the later direct-injection version?
Yes. This engine uses precombustion chambers, not the direct-injection design that came later in the same engine family. The main PC-specific wear item is the copper sealing ring and O-ring at each prechamber; these harden and start leaking combustion gas past the injector cup as hours accumulate. Reported symptoms include a hissing or ticking sound at idle, soot streaking around the injector bores, and gradual power loss. Cold starting on PC engines also leans more heavily on functioning glow plugs than later designs, so a weak glow plug circuit shows up as hard cold starts even when the fuel system itself is healthy.
What injection pump issues come up most often on these units?
This engine uses a mechanical sleeve-metering injection pump, not a rotary or common-rail design; fuel delivery is set by rotating a sleeve around a fixed plunger and barrel rather than by linear rack movement alone. On units that have sat idle or seen inconsistent fuel quality, owners report governor shaft corrosion inside the pump housing, which restricts rack travel and causes progressively harder starting until the engine won't start at all. Fuel weeping at the pump is treated as more than a nuisance because the pump sits close to the exhaust manifold, making any leak a fire-risk item rather than something to defer. Have your dealer verify and correct any fuel leak at or near the injection pump before running the set again.
What's the biggest reliability item on the cooling side?
The gear-driven water pump is the most cited wear item; the drive gear or the shaft seal fails with hours, showing up as coolant loss or coolant getting into the lube oil. A persistent myth around this engine is that pulling the thermostat helps cooling in hot conditions. In practice it does the opposite: coolant short-circuits through the internal bypass and skips the radiator, so the engine runs hotter, not cooler. Worn accessory-drive pulleys and incorrect fan-to-shroud clearance are also flagged as quiet contributors to marginal cooling well before the water pump itself lets go.
What electrical faults come up around the voltage regulator and exciter?
On the analog-regulator control typical of this generation, the recurring complaint is a regulator that blows its own fuse and then won't build voltage, with the root cause usually sitting outside the regulator itself: a shorted exciter field winding or a failed rotating diode that overloads the regulator downstream. Reported symptoms include voltage that never builds at start, output that wanders more than a few percent under steady load, and speed hunting that looks like a governor fault but is actually an electrical loading effect. Bench-testing the regulator off the unit and checking exciter field insulation resistance is how owners typically isolate which end failed before swapping parts. Have your dealer verify exciter and regulator wiring before re-energizing the set, since a shorted field can blow a replacement regulator immediately.
This genset saw years of light-load or standby duty. What should I expect?
Because this engine is mechanically governed and sized for real load, long stretches at light load are widely reported to cause wet stacking, where unburned fuel and soot collect in the exhaust because the engine never reaches proper operating temperature. Telltale signs are black, oily residue weeping from exhaust manifold and turbocharger joints and heavy black smoke that doesn't clean up even after the engine is warm. The accepted remedy is running the set at a high fraction of its nameplate rating for a few hours to raise exhaust temperature and burn off the accumulated soot, not simply letting it idle longer. A unit with a documented history of light-load or standby duty and no record of periodic load-bank testing is worth inspecting closely for this before buying.
What should I check before buying a used one of these generator sets?
Ask for logged hours plus a recent load-bank test result, not just a no-load start-up demo; a set that starts and idles clean can still be hiding wet stacking or a weak injection pump under real load. Check around the injection pump and prechambers for fuel weeping or soot staining, and confirm the water pump and thermostat haven't been tampered with, since a missing thermostat is a red flag, not a feature. Test the starting batteries and charging circuit separately, as these and the exciter/regulator circuit are common neglect items on standby units that sit unused between calls. Ask when the cooling system was last flushed and whether coolant has needed repeated topping up, since gradual coolant loss is often the first sign of a failing water pump or a wet liner. Have your dealer verify governor adjustment and run a proper load-bank test before relying on the set for standby duty.
Compiled from owner and technician discussions across the industry — experiences vary by serial range and machine history.
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