Caterpillar C280-12 Marine Engine Parts, Spares & Overhaul

Caterpillar C280-12 Marine Engine Parts & Spare Parts

Alfa Marine Spare Parts supplies Caterpillar C280-12 marine engine parts and spare parts for commercial vessels, offshore vessels, workboats, marine propulsion systems, diesel-electric installations, marine generator sets and other heavy-duty marine applications.

We source genuine, OEM, replacement and applicable Reman Caterpillar C280-12 components, subject to availability, for scheduled maintenance, corrective repairs, top-end overhaul and major engine rebuild requirements.

Our sourcing capabilities cover fuel injectors, cylinder heads, pistons, cylinder liners, connecting rods, bearings, crankshaft components, turbocharger parts, cooling-system components, auxiliary seawater pumps, oil pumps, filters, electronic controls, sensors, gaskets, seals and overhaul components.

The Caterpillar C280-12 is the V12 configuration within the larger Caterpillar C280 engine platform.

For information about the complete engine family, visit our Caterpillar C280 Marine Engine Parts page.

Related models include:

Caterpillar C280-6 Marine Engine Parts

Caterpillar C280-8 Marine Engine Parts

Caterpillar C280-16

You can also browse our Caterpillar Marine Engine Parts & Rebuild Kits, Caterpillar Engine Parts Catalogue or Marine Spare Parts Catalogue.

For accurate parts identification, provide the complete engine designation, engine serial number, serial-number prefix, arrangement number and existing part number whenever available.

Need a specific C280-12 component? Request a Quote or email request@alfamarinespareparts.com.

Caterpillar C280-12 Engine Overview

The Caterpillar C280-12 is a large-displacement V12, four-stroke diesel engine designed for demanding commercial marine propulsion and power-generation applications.

The engine belongs to the wider Caterpillar C280 engine family, together with the C280-6, C280-8 and C280-16.

The C280-12 uses a 280 mm cylinder bore and 300 mm piston stroke, producing approximately 222 litres of displacement.

Current Caterpillar commercial propulsion specifications list an operating speed range of approximately 900–1,000 rpm and power output of approximately 3,460–4,500 bkW.

The engine uses a V12 configuration, turbocharging and aftercooling together with Caterpillar electronic unit-injection technology.

Principal characteristics include:

V12 cylinder configuration
Four-stroke diesel design
280 mm cylinder bore
300 mm piston stroke
Approximately 222 L displacement
Approximately 900–1,000 rpm
Approximately 3,460–4,500 bkW commercial propulsion output
Turbocharged and aftercooled
EUI fuel system
Electronic engine control
Heavy-duty cooling and lubrication systems
Marine propulsion and generator applications

Exact specifications and installed components can vary according to engine rating, serial number, emissions configuration, production revision and vessel installation.

Caterpillar C280-12 Technical SpecificationsSpecificationCaterpillar C280-12Engine familyCaterpillar C280Engine type4-stroke dieselConfigurationV12Number of cylinders12Bore280 mmStroke300 mmDisplacementApprox. 222 LAspirationTurbocharged and aftercooledFuel systemElectronic Unit Injection (EUI)Rated speedApprox. 900–1,000 rpmCommercial propulsion outputApprox. 3,460–4,500 bkWApprox. horsepower range4,640–6,035 bhpMarine propulsionYesMarine generator applicationsYes

Exact ratings depend on engine configuration, duty cycle and emissions specification.

Caterpillar C280 Engine Family

The C280-12 sits between the C280-8 and C280-16 within the Caterpillar C280 engine family.

EngineConfigurationApprox. DisplacementC280-6Inline 6111 LC280-8Inline 8148 LC280-12V12222 LC280-16V16296 L

All four engines share the wider C280 platform and use the same basic 280 mm bore and 300 mm stroke architecture.

However, parts should not automatically be considered interchangeable between C280 models.

Individual components can vary according to:

Cylinder count
Engine configuration
Engine serial number
Arrangement number
Power rating
Emissions specification
Fuel-system configuration
Turbocharger arrangement
Cooling-system configuration
Auxiliary equipment
Production revision

For the complete platform, visit our Caterpillar C280 Marine Engine Parts page.

Caterpillar C280-12 Parts We Can Source

Alfa Marine Spare Parts can assist with a broad range of Caterpillar C280-12 engine parts and overhaul components.

SystemTypical ComponentsFuel SystemInjectors, fuel pumps, lines, filters and sealsCylinder ComponentsCylinder heads, liners, pistons, rings and valvesCranktrainConnecting rods, bearings and crankshaft componentsTurbochargingTurbochargers and associated componentsCooling SystemWater pumps, thermostats, coolers, seals and cooling componentsSea Water SystemAuxiliary seawater pumps and associated componentsLubricationOil pumps, oil coolers, filters and sealsElectrical & ControlsECM components, sensors, harnesses and monitoring equipmentOverhaulLiners, pistons, bearings, gaskets, seals and rebuild components

If you already know the component or part number, browse our Marine Spare Parts Catalogue.

Caterpillar C280-12 Fuel System Parts

The Caterpillar C280-12 uses an electronic unit-injection fuel system.

Fuel-system requirements can include:

Electronic unit injectors
Fuel transfer pumps
Fuel filters
Fuel lines
Injector seals
Fuel-system fittings
Fuel-system gaskets
Electronic control components
Pressure sensors
Temperature sensors

Fuel-system components can vary according to engine rating and production configuration.

For accurate parts identification, provide:

C280-12 + Engine Serial Number + Existing Part Number

This is particularly important for injectors and electronic fuel-system components.

Caterpillar C280-12 Cylinder Head Parts

Cylinder-head requirements can include:

Complete cylinder heads
Intake valves
Exhaust valves
Valve guides
Valve seats
Valve springs
Rocker components
Cylinder-head gaskets
O-rings
Seals
Associated hardware

Cylinder-head overhaul parts should always be identified against the complete engine serial number and arrangement information.

Caterpillar C280-12 Pistons & Cylinder Liners

Major internal-engine requirements can include:

Cylinder liners
Pistons
Piston rings
Piston pins
Connecting rods
Connecting-rod bearings
Main bearings
Thrust bearings
Cylinder-head components
Gaskets
O-rings
Seals

Although the C280-12 shares its basic cylinder dimensions with the Caterpillar C280-6 and Caterpillar C280-8, parts should not automatically be considered interchangeable.

Verify each internal-engine component against the individual engine.

Caterpillar C280-12 Connecting Rod & Bearing Parts

Cranktrain requirements can include:

Connecting rods
Connecting-rod bearings
Main bearings
Thrust bearings
Connecting-rod bushings
Crankshaft components
Fasteners
Seals

Major internal-engine components should be selected using the engine serial number and arrangement information.

Caterpillar C280-12 Crankshaft Components

Crankshaft-related requirements can include:

Complete crankshaft
Main bearings
Connecting-rod bearings
Thrust bearings
Crankshaft seals
Gear components
Vibration-damper components
Associated hardware

The C280-12 uses a V-engine layout, making correct identification particularly important when sourcing major cranktrain components.

Caterpillar C280-12 Turbocharger Parts

The C280-12 uses turbocharging and aftercooling as part of its combustion-air system.

Turbocharger requirements can include:

Complete turbochargers
Turbocharger cartridges
Rotor components
Bearings
Seals
Oil-feed components
Oil-return components
Exhaust connections
Intake connections
Gaskets
Mounting hardware

Turbocharger configuration can vary according to engine rating and production specification.

Whenever possible, provide:

C280-12 Engine Serial Number + Existing Turbocharger Identification Number

This is safer than selecting a turbocharger from the engine model alone.

Caterpillar C280-12 Cooling System Parts

The C280-12 can use multiple cooling circuits depending on the vessel and engine configuration.

Cooling-system requirements can include:

Jacket-water pumps
Aftercooler cooling components
Auxiliary seawater pumps
Heat exchangers
Oil coolers
Thermostats
Temperature sensors
Cooling-water pipes
Mechanical seals
Gaskets
O-rings

When requesting a cooling-system component, identify the applicable circuit before ordering.

Caterpillar C280-12 Auxiliary Sea Water Pumps

The C280-12 has multiple documented auxiliary seawater-pump references depending on the configuration.

Two important references are:

Caterpillar 473-0551 / 4730551

Description: Sea Water Auxiliary Pump

The 473-0551 / 4730551 is documented for applicable marine-engine configurations including:

Caterpillar C280-6
Caterpillar C280-8
Caterpillar C280-12
Caterpillar C280-16

Caterpillar 473-0553 / 4730553

Description: Auxiliary Sea Water Pump

Another documented pump reference associated with applicable C280-12 marine-engine installations is:

473-0553 / 4730553

Caterpillar currently lists this pump for applicable marine-engine configurations including:

Caterpillar C280-12
Caterpillar C280-16
Caterpillar 3612
Caterpillar 3616

Having more than one pump reference associated with the C280-12 does not mean every C280-12 uses both pumps, nor does it mean these pumps are automatically interchangeable.

Always verify the installed cooling-system arrangement before ordering.

For more information, read our Caterpillar Auxiliary Sea Water Pumps & Part Numbers guide.

Does Every Caterpillar C280-12 Use the Same Sea Water Pump?

No.

Applicable C280-12 configurations can use different seawater-pump arrangements.

Pump selection can depend on:

Engine serial number
Arrangement number
Power rating
Cooling-system configuration
Vessel installation
Production revision
Pump capacity
Mounting arrangement
Inlet and outlet configuration

Before ordering, verify:

C280-12 + Engine Serial Number + Arrangement + Existing Pump Number

This significantly reduces the possibility of selecting the wrong pump.

What Does the C280-12 Sea Water Pump Do?

The auxiliary seawater pump circulates raw seawater through applicable marine cooling circuits.

Depending on the vessel installation, seawater can remove heat through:

Heat exchangers
Oil coolers
Charge-air cooling equipment
Auxiliary cooling equipment
Other external cooling circuits

The seawater circuit should not be confused with the engine's closed freshwater/coolant system.

In a heat-exchanger-cooled installation, heat is transferred between the engine coolant and seawater circuits without the two fluids normally mixing.

Caterpillar C280-12 Lubrication System Parts

Lubrication-system requirements can include:

Engine oil pumps
Pre-lubrication pumps
Oil filters
Centrifugal oil filters
Oil coolers
Oil pressure sensors
Oil lines
Pressure-control components
Gaskets
Seals

Current Caterpillar C280-12 commercial propulsion specifications include gear-driven coolant and oil pumps as standard equipment on applicable configurations.

Correct lubrication-system identification remains important because arrangements can differ between propulsion and generator applications.

Caterpillar C280-12 Electrical & Electronic Parts

Electrical and electronic requirements can include:

Electronic control modules
ADEM control components
Pressure sensors
Temperature sensors
Speed sensors
Wiring harnesses
Connectors
Alarm components
Monitoring-system components
Control-panel components

Current commercial propulsion configurations use Caterpillar electronic engine-control technology.

Electronic components can be highly configuration-specific.

Provide the existing component number whenever possible.

Caterpillar C280-12 Overhaul Parts

A major Caterpillar C280-12 overhaul can require:

Cylinder liners
Pistons
Piston rings
Piston pins
Cylinder heads
Intake valves
Exhaust valves
Connecting rods
Connecting-rod bearings
Main bearings
Thrust components
Crankshaft components
Camshaft components
Fuel injectors
Turbocharger components
Oil pumps
Cooling pumps
Auxiliary seawater pumps
Gaskets
O-rings
Shaft seals

For major overhaul requirements, the parts list should be prepared against the complete engine serial number, arrangement information and existing component numbers.

Browse additional categories through our Marine Spare Parts Catalogue.

Caterpillar C280-12 Top-End Overhaul Parts

Top-end overhaul requirements can include:

Cylinder heads
Intake valves
Exhaust valves
Valve guides
Valve seats
Valve springs
Rocker components
Fuel injectors
Cylinder-head gaskets
O-rings
Seals
Associated hardware

The final overhaul scope should depend on engine condition, operating hours, inspection results and applicable maintenance documentation.

Caterpillar C280-12 Marine Generator Applications

The C280-12 is also available in marine generator-set configurations.

Current Caterpillar marine generator specifications identify:

V12 four-stroke diesel
222 L displacement
900–1,000 rpm
50 / 60 Hz
EUI fuel system
Turbocharged and aftercooled configuration
Electronic governing

Generator configurations should not automatically be treated as identical to propulsion engines for parts selection.

Always identify whether the engine is being used for:

Marine propulsion

Marine power generation

when requesting components.

Caterpillar C280-12 Marine Applications

The C280-12 is suited to high-power marine installations where durability and sustained operating capability are important.

Applications can include:

Workboats

Caterpillar identifies workboat propulsion as a primary commercial application for the C280-12.

Offshore Vessels

Large offshore vessels can require substantial propulsion and electrical power capacity.

Dredgers

Dredging operations can impose high and variable loads on propulsion and generator equipment.

Ferries

Large passenger and vehicle ferries can require substantial continuous propulsion power.

Commercial Vessels

The C280-12 can support heavy-duty commercial marine applications requiring high output and long operating periods.

Marine Generator Sets

C280-12 generator configurations are available for large onboard electrical-generation requirements.

Offshore Power Generation

The C280-12 platform is also used in applicable offshore drilling and production generator applications.

Caterpillar C280-12 vs C280-8

The Caterpillar C280-8 and C280-12 belong to the same wider C280 family, but their layouts differ significantly.

SpecificationC280-8C280-12ConfigurationInline 8V12Cylinders812Bore280 mm280 mmStroke300 mm300 mmApprox. displacement148 L222 LTypical speed900–1,000 rpm900–1,000 rpm

The C280-12 offers significantly greater displacement and power capability.

Parts should not automatically be considered interchangeable between the two engines.

For the eight-cylinder version, visit our Caterpillar C280-8 Marine Engine Parts page.

Caterpillar C280-12 vs C280-6

The Caterpillar C280-6 is the six-cylinder inline member of the C280 family.

SpecificationC280-6C280-12ConfigurationInline 6V12Cylinders612Approx. displacement111 L222 LBore280 mm280 mmStroke300 mm300 mm

The C280-12 has approximately twice the cylinder count and displacement of the C280-6.

However, both belong to the wider Caterpillar C280 engine family.

Caterpillar C280-12 vs C280-16

The C280-12 and C280-16 are both V-engine members of the C280 family.

C280-12 — V12 — approximately 222 L

C280-16 — V16 — approximately 296 L

The C280-16 adds four cylinders and greater total displacement.

Individual parts and installed systems should not be assumed interchangeable based only on the shared C280 designation.

Caterpillar C280-12 vs Caterpillar 3600 Series

The C280 platform sits within Caterpillar's large-engine range alongside the 3600 Series.

Related large Caterpillar engines include:

Caterpillar 3606
Caterpillar 3608
Caterpillar 3612
Caterpillar 3616

For information about those engines, visit our Caterpillar 3600 Marine Engine Parts page.

You can also read our Caterpillar 3600 Marine Engine Maintenance Schedule.

C280 and 3600 engine designations should not be used interchangeably when ordering parts.

Searching for a Specific Caterpillar C280-12 Part?

For accurate identification, send:

Engine model: Caterpillar C280-12

Engine serial number:

Serial-number prefix:

Arrangement number:

Existing part number:

Part description:

Quantity:

Required condition:

Photographs:

This is particularly important when requesting:

Fuel injectors
Turbocharger components
Cylinder heads
Pistons
Cylinder liners
Connecting rods
Bearings
Cooling pumps
Auxiliary seawater pumps
Oil pumps
Sensors
Electronic control components

Browse our Caterpillar Engine Parts Catalogue or Marine Spare Parts Catalogue for additional parts categories.

Why the Caterpillar C280-12 Serial Number Matters

An enquiry saying:

“I need parts for a Caterpillar C280-12.”

identifies the engine family, but it may not provide enough information for final parts selection.

Individual C280-12 engines can differ according to:

Serial-number range
Arrangement
Power rating
Emissions configuration
Cooling-system arrangement
Fuel-system specification
Turbocharger arrangement
Control-system generation
Production revision
Installed auxiliary equipment

The safest identification combination is:

C280-12 + Engine Serial Number + Arrangement Number + Existing Part Number

This is especially important for auxiliary pumps such as 473-0551 / 4730551 and 473-0553 / 4730553.

Why Source Caterpillar C280-12 Parts Through Alfa Marine Spare Parts?

Alfa Marine Spare Parts assists shipowners, ship managers, shipyards, marine engineers, engine rebuilders and purchasing departments with sourcing Caterpillar C280-12 replacement parts and overhaul components.

Depending on availability, we can assist with:

Routine maintenance parts
Fuel-system components
Cylinder components
Internal-engine parts
Turbocharger components
Cooling-system parts
Auxiliary seawater pumps
Lubrication-system components
Electrical and electronic parts
Top-end overhaul requirements
Major engine-overhaul components
Genuine components
OEM components
Replacement components
Applicable Reman options

For the complete engine platform, visit our Caterpillar C280 Marine Engine Parts page.

You can also browse our Caterpillar Marine Engine Parts & Rebuild Kits.

Alfa Marine Spare Parts is an independent marine spare-parts supplier and is not an official Caterpillar dealer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Caterpillar C280-12How Many Cylinders Does the Caterpillar C280-12 Have?

The Caterpillar C280-12 is a V12 engine with 12 cylinders.

What Is the Caterpillar C280-12 Displacement?

The engine has approximately 222 litres of displacement.

What Is the C280-12 Bore and Stroke?

The engine uses a 280 mm cylinder bore and 300 mm piston stroke.

What Is the Caterpillar C280-12 Power Range?

Current commercial propulsion specifications list approximately 3,460–4,500 bkW, depending on engine rating.

What Speed Does the C280-12 Operate At?

Applicable commercial propulsion configurations operate at approximately 900–1,000 rpm.

Is the Caterpillar C280-12 Turbocharged?

Yes. Applicable configurations are turbocharged and aftercooled.

What Fuel System Does the C280-12 Use?

Current commercial propulsion configurations use an EUI electronic unit-injection fuel system.

Is the Caterpillar C280-12 Available as a Marine Generator Engine?

Yes. Caterpillar currently offers C280-12 marine generator-set configurations.

Which Sea Water Pump Is Used on the Caterpillar C280-12?

Documented auxiliary seawater-pump references include:

473-0551 / 4730551

and

473-0553 / 4730553

The correct pump must be verified against the engine serial number and installed cooling configuration.

Does Every C280-12 Use Both Sea Water Pumps?

No.

Multiple documented pump applications do not mean both pumps are installed on every engine.

Always verify the individual engine arrangement.

Is 473-0551 Also Used on the C280-6 and C280-8?

Yes. The 473-0551 / 4730551 reference is documented for applicable marine configurations of the C280-6, C280-8, C280-12 and C280-16.

Can You Supply Caterpillar C280-12 Overhaul Parts?

Yes. Alfa Marine Spare Parts can assist with applicable cylinder liners, pistons, bearings, fuel-system components, cylinder-head parts, cooling-system parts, gaskets, seals and other overhaul requirements, subject to availability.

Related Caterpillar Engine Pages

Continue browsing related Alfa Marine pages:

Caterpillar C280 Marine Engine Parts

Caterpillar C280-6 Marine Engine Parts

Caterpillar C280-8 Marine Engine Parts

Caterpillar Marine Engine Parts & Rebuild Kits

Caterpillar Engine Parts Catalogue

Caterpillar 3600 Marine Engine Parts

Caterpillar 3516 Marine Engine Parts

Caterpillar 3512 Marine Engine Parts

Caterpillar C32 Marine Engine Parts

Caterpillar C18 Marine Engine Parts