Side issue - literally. I went to pull the cover off the injector rack and noticed that it is currently sealed with silicon or something similar. I definitely want to get in there before I try to crank the diesel and check that none of the injectors are stuck, but I didn't want to just pull the cover off with no reliable way to reseal it.

So the question is: what should it be sealed with? I would assume that it would have been a gasket originally.

Hi, LangdonStevenson.
Ifn dat'z der termostat sensor, den wutz keepin' der aqua fresca in der sis-tem??????????????? Dat should had oughta be nex 2 der thermostat housing.

And how would he have known that it was overheating - maybe by the fresh coffee smell wafting back to him sitting in the seat?

Edit: I was typing this post as you were posting yours and so did not see the 'side issue' bit until after I had posted. I suspect that there would originally have been a gasket under the side cover and probably a fairly substantial cardboard one. It is likely still available from Cat or you could make your own from a sheet of gasket material. That silicone is definitely NOT original from the factory. - more likely from Shady Tree Workshops, LLC.

Just my 0.02.

All very good questions! Inquiring minds would like to know...

The answers will have to wait for my next trip up to see the machine on the 20th.  I will report back.

Deas - thanks for the update on the gasket.  I'll dig out the part number and see if I can get one from Cat, if not I'll have to go the DIY route.  Yeah the silicon is definitely a Shady Tree special!

Hi, LangdonStevenson.
When chasing Cat parts in Sydney, who do you go to?

Just kew-ree-yuss.

Deas - my "local" dealer is Westrac in Woolongong (I'm in the Southern Highlands, or my machines are, I travel a lot).  They have been pretty good about parts supply.

I emailed them after our discussion about the gasket, with the part number and a request for one.  I just got confirmation literally a couple of minutes ago that the order is in and will be shipped asap (out of the US). The part cost me AU $10 and shipping costs $34. I only realised after the order was in that I probably should have ordered two of them since they are cheap and shipping is dear. But I don't expect that I'll need a second one so probably not an issue.

Hi, LangdonStevenson.
There izza reason why Westrac are the current Cat dealers in N.S.W.. I won't go into the history of it but the service did improve when they took over.

I asked 'coz I am in occasional contact via communications onna photo and information sharing network with a man who is pretty high up in sales at their Parramatta facility. The man who was Plant Manager for the Badgery's Creek airport project is on the same group - both good eggs.

Just my 0.02.

Deas - I can honestly say that I have never had a problem with Westrac. They are highly responsive and have always gone the extra mile when required. Their parts guys Fonz in Woolongong bent over backwards to find the soft hoses for the brakes for my 212 grader. Actually seemed to enjoy the challenge of digging into obscure systems to find the right parts book and reference. They seem to be a good business with a good culture.

Gaskets -
You talk of long distance to reach the machine -
I would suggest you have a couple of sheets of gasket paper - some glue --- Cat made three different ones when I worked in dealership many years ago -
Red stayed soft and pliable, green was like a contact cement, forgot the other one - time takes its toll on memories.
Always have ball pein hammer, pair of snips helps too. (If you have never cut a gasket with ball pein hammer - try it on something you do not care about, then you will learn how the "feel" and amount of pressure required. Sometimes just use the hammer lightly tapping to mark the paper then cut with another tool.)
I have used "cereal" boxes many times, even coating them with layer of anti-seize is a big help.

We used to buy gasket paper here off of rolls at the parts houses, measured off the lenght and cut for you - last time I tried, it was prepacked in sheets about 12" Square - not very helpful.
Cork Gasket material is also a great help "if" you can purchase it.

Another handy helper - piece of inner tube from truck or tractor tires.
CTS

yes thats exactly what that is. a mechanical temp guage bulb. look for a bung in the side of the block plenty of possum piss and a little warmth and it should undo. id say that one has failed so it was blanked off.