Caterpillar · Inboard diesel

Caterpillar 3208

The Caterpillar 3208 is a 10.4-litre four-stroke V8 diesel with a mechanical injection pump and governor, built from the 1970s to the late 1990s for trucks, industry and boats. The marine engine came naturally aspirated (NA), turbocharged (T) and turbocharged-aftercooled (TA); Cat’s last range of 1999 offered 210 hp NA and 375 or 435 hp TA at 2800 rpm, with heat exchanger cooling and a belt-driven sea-water pump. It was a common single or twin installation in trawler yachts and sportfishing boats; Grand Banks, for example, offered the GB42 with twin 3208NA (210 hp) or 3208TA (375 hp). Cat no longer builds it and sells the O&M manual SEBU6090 and the parts manuals in print only, but its parts store still lists most service parts; Cat’s own documents confirm only the serial prefixes 75V, 01Z (1Z) and 69Z.

Manuals & documents

The links go to Caterpillar’s own documents — some as archived copies of pages the maker has since taken down. We host no manuals or drawings.

Wear parts & part numbers

PartOEM numberAlso fitsNote
Engine oil filter1R-07141,2,3—NA, T and TA. Spin-on filter, 108 × 149 mm; Cat lists it for the marine 3208, Diesel Pro for the 3208 naturally aspirated and turbo. Diesel Parts Direct gives it as the replacement for the old element kit 9N-6007, which Cat shows as discontinued. Cat also lists the shorter 1R-0713 (94 × 137 mm) for the marine 3208, so match the filter to the base on your engine.
Oil filter base1W-46514,2—For the spin-on oil filter. Cat lists 1W-4651 for the marine 3208 only; Diesel Pro sells it as the base for the 3208 NA and T.
Fuel filter (engine)1R-07505,6,7—NA, T and TA. Secondary spin-on filter, 86 × 182 mm. Cat lists it for the marine 3208, and Diesel Pro and Diesel Parts Direct both sell it for the marine 3208.
Fuel filter base4N-88978,6—Cat lists 4N-8897 for the marine, truck and industrial 3208; Diesel Pro sells it as the base for the 3208 NA and T.
Air filter8N-50069,10,11—Element for the standard air cleaner. Cat lists 8N-5006 for the marine 3208 and 3116 and the 3208 machine engine. The air cleaner depends on the arrangement: Cat’s 1999 sheet gives a dry single-stage cleaner as standard but an AirSep on the 375 and 435 hp Classic Editions, so check what is fitted.
Air filter—12Walker AirSep 100113212Aftermarket service kit for Walker AirSep air cleaners, not a Cat part. Fisheries Supply lists it for the “CAT 3208 450HP”, more than Cat’s own top rating of 435 hp, so compare it with the AirSep on your engine. One source.
Raw water pump1W-904613,14,15—Belt-driven auxiliary sea-water pump. Cat lists it for the marine 3208; Diesel Pro sells it for the 3208 NA and T with serial prefixes 01Z and 75V.
Raw water pump7W-801916,14,15—Sea-water pump with 1-1/4 in vertical inlet and outlet. Cat lists it for the marine 3208; Diesel Pro sells it for the 3208 NA and T marine. Which of the two pumps you need depends on the arrangement number.
Water pump repair kit2W-925317,18,14—Repair kit for the auxiliary sea-water pump. Cat lists it for the marine 3208, 3406B, 3408 and 3412; Diesel Pro sells it as the sea-water pump rebuild kit for the 3208 NA and T. Neither source lists what the kit contains.
Raw water pump impeller—19,20Johnson Pump 09-704BT-119,20Sherwood 17000K19Jabsco 18958-000119No Cat number found; Johnson’s catalogue lists its kit 09-704BT-1 (MC97 compound) for the CAT 3208 and Sherwood P17 pumps, and CWR repeats that fitment. Sherwood 17000K and Jabsco 18958-0001 are the cross-references in Johnson’s guide. Compare with the impeller in your Cat pump before ordering.
Drive belt7L-500121,22—Water pump belt: notched raw-edge V-belt, 1473 mm (57.99 in) long and 1/2 in wide. Cat lists it for the marine 3208; Diesel Pro sells it as the engine water pump belt for the 3208 NA and T.
Thermostat102-839223,24,25,22,11replaces 9N-5121—NA, T and TA; opens at 180 °F (82 °C) according to Diesel Pro. Replaces 9N-5121 (Diesel Parts Direct); Cat lists both for the marine 3208 and shows 9N-5121 as discontinued. Cat’s spec sheet speaks of thermostats in the plural, so check how many your engine has.
Thermostat gasket9N-542926,22,25—Thermostat (regulator) housing gasket. Cat lists it for the marine, truck and industrial 3208; Diesel Pro sells it as the regulator housing gasket for the 3208.
Thermostat seal3S-964322—Lip seal. Diesel Pro sells 3S-9643 as the thermostat seal for the 3208 and 3406E; Cat’s store lists it for the 3208 truck engine but not explicitly for the marine 3208. One source.
Coolant pump2W-122527,22,28—Jacket (fresh) water pump, NA, T and TA. Cat lists 2W-1225 for the marine, truck, machine and generator-set 3208.
Water pump repair kit6V-689429,22—Repair kit for the jacket (fresh) water pump. Cat lists it for the marine 3208 among other engines; Diesel Pro sells it as the engine water pump rebuild kit for the 3208.
Water pump gaskets9N-013730,22—Jacket water pump gasket, 0.8 mm. Cat lists it for the marine, truck and industrial 3208, Diesel Pro for the 3208 NA and T. The water inlet gasket is 9L-6467 (same sources).
Anode (engine)6L-228331,14—Zinc anode rod. Cat lists it for the marine 3208 and many other Cat marine engines; Diesel Pro gives a 1/4 in NPT plug, a 2-1/2 in zinc and 3/8 in diameter. Where the anodes sit (heat exchanger, coolers) depends on the arrangement, so check every location on your engine.
Anode (engine)6L-228832,14—3/8 in zinc anode with 3/8-16 thread (Cat), listed for the marine 3208. Diesel Pro shows it on its 3208 sea-water pump page with a 1/2 in NPT plug and a 5/8 in zinc.
Anode (engine)6L-201633,14—Cat lists 6L-2016 for the marine 3208 and 3412E. Cat and Diesel Pro give different thread and zinc sizes, so compare it with the old anode before ordering.
Injector nozzle1W-582934,35,36—Eight per engine. Diesel Parts Direct: marine 3208 with serial numbers 1Z1318 to 1Z11419 and arrangements 1W5070, 1W5900, 1W7000, 2W0768, 4W9900, 4W9901 and 7W1700; Diesel Pro: prefix 01Z. Cat lists it for the marine 3208.
Injector nozzle4W-701637,38,36replaces 4W-7011—Eight per engine. Diesel Parts Direct: marine 3208 from serial number 1Z11420 with arrangements 1W5070, 1W5900, 2W0768 and 7W1000; Diesel Pro: 3208 T, prefix 01Z. Cat shows the old 4W-7011 as discontinued.
Injector nozzle7W-702439,36—Eight per engine. Diesel Pro: 3208 T with serial prefix 75V. Cat lists it for the marine and truck 3208.
Injector tip seal (carbon dam)9L-909840,41—One per injector (eight per engine). Cat lists it for the marine 3208 and other Cat engines; Diesel Pro sells it as the injector carbon seal for the 3208 NA and T. The copper injector clamp washer is 7W-4485 (Cat, Diesel Pro).
Cylinder head gasket7W-205942,41,43replaces 4W-0045replaces 6N-8505replaces 7C-1599replaces 9L-9164—1.55 mm thick, one per cylinder head (two per engine), NA, T and TA. Cat lists it for the marine 3208; Diesel Parts Direct gives the four older numbers it replaces.
Valve cover gasket9L-802044,41—Two per engine (Diesel Pro). Cat lists it for the marine 3208.
Oil sump gasket9L-801645,41—Cat lists it for the marine 3208, Diesel Pro for the 3208 NA and T.
Front crankshaft seal7C-666046,41—Cat lists it for the marine 3208; Diesel Pro sells it as the front seal for the 3208 NA and T.
Rear crankshaft seal7W-320047,41—Cat lists it for the marine 3208; Diesel Pro sells it as the rear seal for the 3208 NA and T.
Oil cooler gasket4W-714748,41—For the engine oil cooler, serial prefix 01Z (1Z), per Diesel Pro. Cat lists it for the marine 3208.
Oil cooler gasket1W-759549,41—For the engine oil cooler, serial prefix 75V, per Diesel Pro. Cat lists it for the marine 3208.
Exhaust manifold gasket121-468050,41,51—Diesel Pro lists it for the 3208 T, four per engine. Cat lists it for the marine and machine 3208.
Exhaust elbow gasket107-251752,41,51—Gasket between exhaust manifold and elbow, two per engine (Diesel Pro). Cat lists it for the marine 3208 only.
Exhaust manifold1W-658653,51—Fits the left or the right bank of the 3208 NA and T (Diesel Pro). Cat lists it for the marine and machine 3208.
Exhaust mixing elbow8N-054551—Water-cooled exhaust elbow for the right bank of the 3208 NA and T (Diesel Pro; out of stock when checked). Not found in Cat’s online store, possibly discontinued. One source.
Turbocharger cartridge9N-667554,55—Centre section, 3208 T and TA. Cat lists it for the marine 3208, 3408 and 3412 but shows it as discontinued; Diesel Pro still sells 9N-6675 for the 3208 Turbo. Turbo gasket: 7M-7273 (Cat lists it for the marine 3208; Diesel Pro: one per turbo).
Gasket set9X-856956,57—Aftercooler installation gasket kit, 3208 TA only. Diesel Pro: for arrangements 7E0425, 101-3714, 117-6582, 126-4350, 144-4500 and 183-3254. Cat lists it for the marine 3208.

Numbers checked against the sources below on 13 October 2026. Always confirm against your serial number and exact type before ordering.

Service intervals

TaskInterval
Engine oil changeEvery 250 h (Cat spec sheet); per dealer summary also yearly or every 9000 l (2400 US gal) of fuel, whichever comes first, with an oil sample for analysis11,58
Oil filterWith every 250 h oil change (per dealer summary)58,11
Fuel filterReplace every 250 h or yearly and drain the sediment from the fuel tank; drain the water separator daily (per dealer summary)59
Air filterCheck the service indicator daily; clean or replace the foam element every 50 h and the air cleaner elements every 250 h (per dealer summary)59
AnodeInspect or replace the zinc rods every 50 h or 1900 l (500 US gal) of fuel (per dealer summary)60
Heat exchanger cleanInspect the heat exchanger every 2000 h; TA: open the aftercooler drain plug every 50 h, clean and pressure-test the aftercooler core every 1000 h or 2 years (per dealer summary)59
V-belt checkInspect, adjust or replace every 250 h or yearly (per dealer summary)58
Raw water impellerInspect the auxiliary (sea-water) pump every 250 h or yearly (per dealer summary)58
Sea water strainerClean and inspect every 250 h or yearly (per dealer summary)58
Hoses & clampsInspect or replace every 250 h or yearly (per dealer summary)58
Crankcase ventilationClean the crankcase breather every 250 h; NA: inspect the PCV valve every 1000 h (per dealer summary)59
Coolant changeTest and top up the supplemental coolant additive every 250 h; conventional coolant: change every 1000 h or 2 years; Cat ELC: add extender at 3000 h, change every 6000 h or 4 years (per dealer summary)59
ThermostatReplace every 1000 h or 2 years (per dealer summary)59
Gear oil coolerClean and inspect every 1000 h or 2 years; check the gear oil level daily (per dealer summary)59
Valve clearanceFirst check at 250 h, then every 2000 h (per dealer summary)59
InjectorsTest or exchange the nozzles every 2000 h, and inspect turbocharger, vibration damper, engine mounts and starter at the same time (per dealer summary)61
Water pumpInspect the jacket water pump every 3000 h (per dealer summary)62
Governor housingDrain every 1000 h or 2 years (per dealer summary)63

Cat’s schedule is in the Operation and Maintenance Manual SEBU6090, which Cat sells in print only. The rows above follow a marine dealer’s summary of that manual (Diesel Pro Power); only the 250 h oil change is confirmed by a Cat document, the 1999 spec sheet. Check the factory figures in your copy of SEBU6090.

Specifications

Cylinders8, V8, four-stroke diesel11
Displacement10.4 l (636 cu in)11
Bore × stroke114.3 × 127 mm (4.5 × 5.0 in)11
VersionsNA: naturally aspirated (Cat: DINA) · T: turbocharged · TA: turbocharged and aftercooled (Cat: DITA), aftercooler on a separate circuit cooled by sea water, rated for 30 °C (86 °F) sea water. Cat’s 1999 sheet rates only NA and TA; T ratings are older and not documented here11
PowerNA (DINA): 157 kW (210 hp); TA (DITA): 280 kW (375 hp) or 324 kW (435 hp); all at 2800 rpm, E rating for planing hulls (Cat range of 1999). Deduct 3 % for power at the propeller shaft11
Rated speed2800 rpm11
Compression ratio16.5:1 (435 hp: 15.5:1)11
Direction of rotationCounterclockwise, viewed from the flywheel11
InjectionMechanical injection pump with mechanical governor; fuel filter and priming pump on the engine11
CoolingFresh-water cooling with engine-mounted heat exchanger, thermostats, jacket water pump, auxiliary sea-water pump and expansion tank (TA also a coolant recovery tank). Gear oil cooler: sea-water cooled on TA (DITA), jacket-water cooled on NA (DINA)11
Engine oil capacityRefill: NA (DINA) 12.0 l (3.2 US gal); TA (DITA) 15.0 l (4.0 US gal)11
Coolant capacityEngine only: NA (DINA) 47.3 l (12.5 US gal); TA (DITA) 56.0 l (14.8 US gal)11
Fuel consumptionAt rated power, 2800 rpm: 375 hp 79.5 l/h; 435 hp 90.7 l/h11
Alternator51 A, 12 V, belt-driven11
Starting12 V electric starter11
Dry weightNet dry, approx.: 210 hp 722 kg (1592 lb); 375 hp 772 kg (1702 lb); 435 hp 899 kg (1982 lb)11
DimensionsLength × height × width: NA (DINA) 1086 × 921 × 917 mm (42.7 × 36.2 × 36.1 in); TA (DITA) 1271 × 1019 × 963 mm (50.0 × 40.1 × 37.9 in)11
EmissionsIMO compliant (1999 sheet)11
Serial number prefixesIn Cat’s publications: 75V (early engines), 01Z (written 1Z in older books; the parts books split at 01Z21746/21747) and 69Z (69Z1 to 69Z274, parts book of 1986). Other prefixes circulate in dealer lists without a Cat source64,65
Years built1970s to late 1990s; Cat’s last marine spec sheet is dated October 1999, and by 2009 Cat listed the 3208 among its legacy engines11,66

Good to know

  • Read the serial number prefix (75V, 01Z/1Z or 69Z) and the arrangement number off the engine plate before you order. Cat splits parts by both: the injector nozzle is 1W-5829 on 01Z engines up to 1Z11419, 4W-7016 from 1Z11420 and 7W-7024 on turbo 75V engines, and the parts books change at 01Z21746/21747.38,35,36,64
  • The dealer summary of Cat’s schedule has the zinc rods checked every 50 hours, more often than most owners expect. Find every zinc on your engine (heat exchanger, coolers) and carry spares: Cat lists 6L-2283, 6L-2288 and 6L-2016 for the marine 3208.60,31,32,33
  • On the TA (DITA) both the aftercooler and the gear oil cooler are cooled by sea water (Cat spec sheet). Per dealer summary, open the aftercooler drain plug every 50 hours and have the core cleaned and pressure-tested every 1000 hours; refit it with gasket kit 9X-8569, and look for water in the gear oil whenever you clean the gear oil cooler.11,59,56
  • Keep a spare sea-water pump impeller aboard. No Cat number turned up, but Johnson Pump lists its kit 09-704BT-1 for the CAT 3208; compare it with the impeller in your pump first. The dealer summary has the pump inspected every 250 hours or yearly.19,58
  • When you replace the thermostat (every 1000 hours or 2 years per dealer summary), order 102-8392, which replaced 9N-5121, and a new housing gasket 9N-5429.25,26,59
  • Gearboxes, valve lash and the oil and coolant specifications could not be sourced from a Cat document, so they are not on this page. Cat’s 1999 sheet only names SAE No. 2 and No. 3 flywheel housings and a gear oil cooler; the factory figures are in the O&M manual SEBU6090, sold in print by Cat Publications (a French edition, SFBU6299, covers the high-performance 3208).11,65

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Sources

  1. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/1R-0714
  2. dieselpro.com/caterpillar-parts/3208-engine/caterpillar-3208-turbo-engine/oil-filter.html
  3. dieselpartsdirect.com/ds1r0714
  4. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/1W-4651
  5. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/1R-0750
  6. dieselpro.com/caterpillar-parts/3208-engine/caterpillar-3208-turbo-engine/fuel-filter.html
  7. dieselpartsdirect.com/ds1r0750
  8. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/4N-8897
  9. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/8N-5006
  10. dieselpartsdirect.com/caterpillar-3204-3208-air-filters
  11. web.archive.org/web/20111027080544/http://marine.cat.com:80/cda/files/1014960/7/Spec+Shee…
  12. fisheriessupply.com/walker-airsep-field-service-kit-caterpillar/1001132
  13. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/1W-9046
  14. dieselpro.com/caterpillar-parts/3208-engine/caterpillar-3208-turbo-engine/marine-water-pu…
  15. dieselpro.com/caterpillar-parts/3208-engine/caterpillar-3208-non-turbo-engine/marine-wate…
  16. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/7W-8019
  17. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/2W-9253
  18. dieselpro.com/caterpillar-sea-water-pump-rebuilt-kit-2w9253-3208-engines.html
  19. spxflow.com/assets/pdf/johnson-pump-marine-impellers-810-us-letter-2018-03.pdf
  20. cwrdistribution.com/product/42634/johnson-pump-09-704bt-1-impeller-mc97
  21. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/7L-5001
  22. dieselpro.com/caterpillar-parts/3208-engine/caterpillar-3208-turbo-engine/water-pumps.html
  23. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/102-8392
  24. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/9N-5121
  25. dieselpartsdirect.com/ds1028392
  26. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/9N-5429
  27. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/2W-1225
  28. dieselpartsdirect.com/ds2w1225
  29. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/6V-6894
  30. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/9N-0137
  31. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/6L-2283
  32. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/6L-2288
  33. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/6L-2016
  34. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/1W-5829
  35. dieselpartsdirect.com/ds1w5829
  36. dieselpro.com/caterpillar-parts/3208-engine/caterpillar-3208-turbo-engine/injector.html
  37. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/4W-7016
  38. dieselpartsdirect.com/ds4w7016
  39. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/7W-7024
  40. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/9L-9098
  41. dieselpro.com/caterpillar-parts/3208-engine/caterpillar-3208-turbo-engine/gaskets.html
  42. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/7W-2059
  43. dieselpartsdirect.com/ds7w2059
  44. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/9L-8020
  45. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/9L-8016
  46. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/7C-6660
  47. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/7W-3200
  48. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/4W-7147
  49. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/1W-7595
  50. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/121-4680
  51. dieselpro.com/caterpillar-parts/3208-engine/caterpillar-3208-turbo-engine/exhaust.html
  52. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/107-2517
  53. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/1W-6586
  54. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/9N-6675
  55. dieselpro.com/caterpillar-parts/3208-engine/caterpillar-3208-turbo-engine/turbo.html
  56. parts.cat.com/en/catcorp/product/9X-8569
  57. dieselpro.com/caterpillar-parts/3208-engine/caterpillar-3208-turbo-engine/intercooler-aft…
  58. dieselpro.com/blog/servicing-every-9000-l-2400-us-gal-or-250-service-hours-or-yearly-for-…
  59. dieselpro.com/blog/practical-guide-to-servicing-the-caterpillar-3208-marine-engine/
  60. dieselpro.com/blog/servicing-every-1900-l-500-us-gal-or-50-service-hours-for-caterpillar-…
  61. dieselpro.com/blog/servicing-every-72000-l-19000-us-gal-or-2000-service-hours-for-caterpi…
  62. dieselpro.com/blog/servicing-every-108000-l-28500-us-gal-or-3000-service-hours-or-2-years…
  63. dieselpro.com/blog/servicing-every-36000-l-9000-us-gal-or-1000-service-hours-or-2-years-f…
  64. catpublications.com/previews/SEBU6090.pdf
  65. catpublications.com/
  66. web.archive.org/web/20090727072217/http://marine.cat.com:80/cat-3208

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