Product Line:
3400 Series Diesel Engine
Document Type:
Parts Manual
Production Years Covered:
See manual for specific serial number ranges and arrangements
Engine Arrangement:
Multiple arrangements; consult S/N prefix list in manual
Identification Method:
Serial number prefix and arrangement number (located on engine data plate)
Coverage Basis:
Serial number prefix, arrangement number, and change level
Intended Users:
Service technicians, fleet maintenance, parts counter staff, engine rebuilders
Units:
Metric and imperial dimensions are provided where applicable
Target Audience:
Owners and operators of Caterpillar 3406C powered equipment, fleet maintenance departments, independent diesel repair shops, and parts professionals
Engine Class:
Heavy-duty inline six-cylinder industrial and on-highway diesel
Parts Identification:
Arrangement-based parts breakdowns minimize ordering errors across 3406C variations
Illustrated Diagrams:
Exploded views and group illustrations show component relationships and assembly order
Cost Efficiency:
Accurate part numbers reduce downtime from incorrect parts and repeat orders
Parts Listings:
Grouped, illustrated listings with part numbers and quantities
Cross-Service:
Parts group organization follows standard Caterpillar parts manual structure
Print Friendly:
Page layout supports on-screen viewing and workshop printing
Format:
PDF (digital download)
Delivery:
Instant download after purchase
Binding:
Digital - no physical binding
Page Count:
Varies by edition; see product listing for the current figure
Engine Groups:
Cylinder head, cylinder block, piston and rod assemblies, crankshaft, camshaft, timing gears
Fuel System:
Fuel injection pump, nozzles, fuel lines, filters and housings
Air System:
Air cleaner, turbocharger, aftercooler, intake and exhaust manifolds
Cooling System:
Water pump, thermostat, radiator groups, fan drive
Lubrication System:
Oil pump, oil cooler, oil pan, filters and lines
Electrical:
Starting motor, alternator, sending units, wiring and switches
Attachments:
Available attachments and accessory groups where documented
Type:
Parts Manual (illustrated parts catalog / parts breakdown)
Replacement For:
OEM factory parts catalog of the same serial number range
Engine Block and Structure:
Cylinder block, main bearing caps, front and rear housings, timing cover, oil pan and gaskets
Cylinder Head and Valve Train:
Cylinder head, valves, springs, guides, seats, rocker arms, pushrods, valve cover groups
Pistons, Rods and Liners:
Piston assemblies, piston rings, connecting rods, bearings, cylinder liners and seals
Crankshaft, Bearings and Damper:
Crankshaft, main and rod bearing sets, thrust bearings, vibration damper and pulley groups
Camshaft and Timing:
Camshaft, timing gears, idler gears, thrust plates, timing advance components
Fuel Injection System:
Fuel injection pump, governor, injection lines, nozzles and holders, fuel filter base and priming pump
Fuel Tank and Lines:
Fuel lines, fittings, shutoff valves and supply plumbing where documented for the arrangement
Air Intake and Turbocharger:
Air cleaner, turbocharger and mounting, aftercooler, intake manifold, air lines and clamps
Exhaust System:
Exhaust manifold, turbocharger outlet, exhaust piping, heat shields and gaskets
Cooling System:
Water pump, thermostat and housing, water lines, radiator groups, fan and fan drive, belts
Lubrication System:
Oil pump, oil cooler, oil filter base, oil lines, dipstick and tube, oil pan and gaskets
Starting and Charging:
Starting motor, alternator, batteries and cables, charging circuit components
Electrical and Instruments:
Sending units, switches, sensors, gauges, wiring harnesses and connectors
Governor and Controls:
Governor linkage, throttle controls, speed controls and shutdown devices
Attachments and Accessories:
Front and rear engine attachments, accessory drives, mounting brackets and guards
Filters and Service Parts:
Fuel, oil and air filter part numbers; belts, hoses, seals, gaskets and common wear items
Procedures and Technical Depth
Type of Information:
Part numbers, quantities, group descriptions and exploded illustrations; not a repair procedure guide
Component Identification:
Arrangement-specific illustrations let technicians visually confirm parts before ordering
Assembly Reference:
Group sequence and component relationships aid teardown, inspection and reassembly planning
Part Number Accuracy:
Numbers are correlated to arrangement and serial number range to reduce misordering
Standard Parts:
Complete part numbers for assemblies, subassemblies and individual components
Quantities:
Required quantity per assembly given in listings where shown
Change Levels:
Serial number effectivity and change level notes included where applicable
Ordering Notes:
Use engine serial number prefix and arrangement number to confirm correct listings
File Format:
PDF (searchable, bookmarked, zoomable)
Compatibility:
Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android — any device with a PDF reader
Requirements:
A PDF reader application (e.g. Adobe Acrobat Reader, free)
Searchability:
Fully text searchable for fast lookup of any topic
Print Quality:
High-resolution digital pages, printable at full clarity
Binding Type:
N/A — digital download, no physical binding
Paper Type:
N/A — digital download, no physical paper
Configuration:
Inline six-cylinder, four-stroke diesel
Displacement:
14.6 L (893 cu in) nominal for the 3406 family
Bore:
137 mm (5.4 in) nominal for the 3406 family
Stroke:
165 mm (6.5 in) nominal for the 3406 family
Aspiration:
Turbocharged; aftercooled on many ratings
Cooling:
Liquid-cooled, water-to-air or jacket water aftercooling depending on rating
Horsepower Range:
Rating-dependent; outputs vary by arrangement and application - confirm on the engine data plate
Rated Speed:
Rating-dependent; commonly 1800 or 2100 rpm depending on application
Peak Torque:
Rating-dependent; see the specific arrangement rating in Caterpillar application data
Injection Type:
Direct injection with mechanically governed pump and lines, nozzle holders in head
Governor:
Mechanical/hydraulic governor; type varies with rating and application
Fuel Filters:
Primary and secondary filter arrangement; part numbers listed by group in this manual
Oil and Filter:
Follow the interval in the machine or engine operation and maintenance manual; typical heavy-duty intervals are in the 250-500 hour range depending on duty cycle
Fuel Filters:
Replace at the interval in the operation and maintenance manual, and whenever fuel contamination is suspected
Air Filter:
Service by restriction indicator; replace element when restriction limit is reached
Valve Lash:
Check and adjust at the interval stated in the operation and maintenance manual; mechanical adjustment on the 3406C
Coolant:
Maintain coolant condition and supplemental coolant additives per Caterpillar recommendations
Engine Oil:
Use oil meeting the viscosity and performance category specified for the engine and ambient temperature range in the operation and maintenance manual
Coolant:
Use Caterpillar-approved extended life or conventional coolant with the correct additive concentration
Fuel:
Diesel fuel meeting the cetane and sulfur limits specified for the engine and emissions configuration
Capacities:
Crankcase and cooling system capacities vary by arrangement and oil pan; confirm in the operation and maintenance manual
Common Wear Items and Known Issues
Cylinder Head:
Valve guide and seat wear, injector sleeve leaks and head gasket sealing are common areas to inspect
Cylinder Liners:
Liner pitting, cavitation and O-ring seal leaks are typical wear points on high-hour engines
Turbocharger:
Bearing wear and oil seal leaks are typical on high-hour turbocharged units
Fuel System:
Injection pump and nozzle wear affects power and smoke; governor linkage wear affects speed stability
Cooling System:
Water pump seal and bearing wear, thermostat sticking and hose deterioration are common service points
Belts and Hoses:
Regular inspection for cracking, glazing and tension loss
Gaskets and Seals:
Front and rear crankshaft seals and oil pan gaskets are frequent reseal items
Manufacturer:
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, Illinois, USA
Engine Family:
3400 Series heavy-duty diesel, developed from Caterpillar's industrial and on-highway diesel line
Model Position:
3406C is a mechanically governed variant of the 3406 family used in industrial, marine, generator and truck applications
Predecessors:
Earlier 3406 and 3406B variants
Successor Technology:
Later electronically controlled variants such as the 3406E followed the mechanical 3406C
Production Changes:
Component changes are tracked by serial number prefix, arrangement number and change level in this manual
Assembly:
Assembled by Caterpillar at its engine manufacturing facilities; final assembly plant depends on arrangement and build period
Parts Sourcing:
Part numbers in the manual reflect Caterpillar service parts; some components are supplied by Caterpillar-approved vendors