Cummins K38 Specifications
| Engine Model: Cummins K38 |
| Engine Type: 4-cycle 12-cylinder direct injection liquid-cooled diesel |
| Total Displacement: 2319 cu.in (38 L) |
| Rated Engine Power: 900-1500 Hp (671-1119 kW) at 2000 rpm |
| Aspiration Type: Turbocharged and aftercooled |
____________________________________________________________________________________
The Cummins K38 is a heavy-duty, 38-liter,
turbocharged and aftercooled diesel engine designed for the most
demanding industrial, marine, power-generation, and mining applications.
As a member of the Cummins K-Series family, the K38 is renowned for its
extraordinary durability, sustained high-power output, and long overhaul
life. It is widely used in haul trucks, large excavators, drilling rigs,
locomotives, marine propulsion systems, generator sets, and industrial
installations.
The K38 features a rugged cast-iron block, wet replaceable cylinder
liners, individual cylinder heads, robust mechanical PT fuel-injection,
and a heavy-duty gear-train system. Turbocharged-aftercooled (KTA38)
variants dramatically increase air density and improve thermal
efficiency. These engines are known for delivering extremely high torque
at low engine speeds, making them ideal for high-load, continuous-duty
environments.
The Cummins K38 is a four-stroke, water-cooled, turbocharged (KT38) or
turbocharged-aftercooled (KTA38) V12 diesel engine. Total displacement
is 38 liters (2,319 cubic inches). Each cylinder has a bore of
approximately 159 mm (6.25 in) and a stroke of 159 mm (6.25 in), giving
the engine a square-design geometry for balanced power and longevity.
Compression ratio ranges between 13.9:1 and 14.5:1 depending on the
turbocharging configuration and fuel calibration.
Typical power ratings:
– Industrial: 900–1,400 hp (671–1,044 kW) @ 1,800–2,100 rpm
– Mining: 1,000–1,500 hp (746–1,119 kW)
– Marine propulsion: 900–1,200 hp (671–894 kW)
– Generator sets (KTA38-G): 800–1,250 kW @ 1,500–1,800 rpm
Peak torque: 4,400–6,000 Nm (3,243–4,425 lb-ft) @ 1,300–1,500 rpm
Idle speed: 550–650 rpm
Governed speed: 1,800–2,100 rpm
Firing order (V12): 1L-2R-3L-4R-5L-6R-6L-5R-4L-3R-2L-1R.
The crankshaft is a massive forged-steel component supported by seven
oversized main bearings, providing exceptional rigidity and long fatigue
life. Pistons are forged aluminum or steel-crown composite units with
reinforced combustion bowls and internal cooling galleries. Connecting
rods are forged high-strength steel with replaceable bearings. Twin
camshafts (one per bank) are gear-driven for precise valve timing.
The K38 uses an extremely robust cast-iron
V-block with:
– Wet replaceable cylinder liners
– Deep-skirt design
– Heavy structural ribbing
– Full coolant passages around each liner
– Large main-bearing saddles
The block is engineered for high-temperature, high-pressure operation in
extreme-duty environments and allows multiple overhaul cycles.
The K38 uses individual cylinder heads–one per cylinder (12 total).
Each head contains:
– Four valves (2 intake, 2 exhaust)
– Hardened valve seats and guides
– Direct-injection combustion chamber
– Rocker-arm/pushrod actuation
Cold valve-lash settings:
– Intake: 0.36 mm (0.014 in)
– Exhaust: 0.71 mm (0.028 in)
Individual heads allow isolated service and improve thermal stability
during long-duration high-load operation.
The K38 uses Cummins’ Mechanical PT (Pressure-Time) fuel-injection
system, known for durability and simple field service.
System components:
– PT mechanical fuel pump
– Mechanical governor
– Fuel transfer pump
– High-capacity PT injectors
– Primary and secondary fuel filters
Fuel-system pressures vary depending on load, governed by the PT pump.
The PT system provides excellent stability, smooth operation, and strong
fuel delivery even under harsh operating conditions.
Fuel-system maintenance:
– Replace filters every 250–300 hr
– Drain water separator daily
– Injector service every 1,500–2,000 hr
– PT pump calibration during major overhauls.
The lubrication system is full-pressure and uses a gear-driven oil pump.
Oil capacity: 110–140 liters (116–148 qt)
Oil pressure:
– Operating: 310–450 kPa (45–65 psi)
– Idle: 100–150 kPa (15–22 psi)
Recommended oil: SAE 15W-40, API CI-4/CJ-4/CK-4
Oil-change interval: typically 250–500 hr.
The cooling system includes:
– Gear-driven centrifugal water pump
– Thermostat-controlled coolant flow
– Oil cooler
– Large industrial radiator or marine heat-exchanger
– Air-to-water aftercooler (KTA38)
Thermostat:
– Opening: 82°C (180°F)
– Fully open: 95°C (203°F)
Cooling-system capacity: 150–200 liters (158–211 qt)
System operating pressure: 70–100 kPa (10–15 psi).
| Intake and Exhaust Systems |
Intake:
– Dual heavy-duty dry-type air filters
– Optional pre-cleaners for mining or dusty environments
Turbocharging:
– Large high-flow turbochargers (one or two depending on variant)
– Oil-lubricated cores
– High-temperature turbine housings
Aftercooling (KTA38):
– Air-to-water charge-air cooling
– Increases air density
– Reduces exhaust temperatures
– Improves fuel efficiency
Exhaust:
– Cast-iron manifolds
– High-capacity exhaust elbows
– Optional marine wet-exhaust.
| Electrical and Starting Systems |
Electrical equipment includes:
– 24V starting motor
– 35–70 amp alternator
– Oil-pressure switch
– Coolant-temperature sender
– Tachometer pickup
The K38 is fully mechanical unless equipped with optional monitoring
modules.
Depending on the application, the engine
may include:
– PTO drives
– Hydraulic pump drives
– Generator housings
– Remote radiator connections
– Marine cooling systems
– Air compressor drive
– Large alternator options.
Approximate physical dimensions:
– Length: 2,200–2,400 mm (86–94 in)
– Width: 1,400–1,600 mm (55–63 in)
– Height: 1,700–1,900 mm (67–75 in)
Dry weight: 4,200–5,000 kg (9,259–11,023 lb).
Routine service:
– Oil and filter: 250–500 hr
– Fuel filters: 250–300 hr
– Air-filter checks: 50–100 hr
– Valve-lash adjustment: every 1,000 hr
– Injector calibration: 1,500–2,000 hr
– Cooling-system service: every 2 years
– Compression testing: every 2,000 hr
– Turbo inspection: major service intervals.
– Cylinder-head bolts: 450–550 Nm (332–406 lb-ft)
– Main-bearing caps: 1,000–1,100 Nm (738–811 lb-ft)
– Connecting-rod bolts: 300–350 Nm (221–258 lb-ft)
– Flywheel bolts: 750–900 Nm (553–664 lb-ft)
– Crankshaft damper bolt: 900–1,100 Nm (664–811 lb-ft)
– Oil-drain plug: 55–70 Nm (41–52 lb-ft)
– Injector hold-down: 35–45 Nm (26–33 lb-ft).
The Cummins K38 is used in:
– Mining haul trucks (100–200 ton class)
– Ultra-heavy construction machinery
– Large wheel loaders
– Excavators and draglines
– Oilfield drilling rigs
– Marine propulsion and auxiliary generators
– Power-generation units (800–1,250 kW)
– Locomotive traction applications
– Industrial pumps and compressors.
____________________________________________________________________________________
| Industrial Engines Technical Specifications |
| Small Engines Technical Specifications |
| Car Engines Technical Specifications |
| Outboard Engines Technical Specifications |
