Oil Change Interval
The oil change interval is primarily determined by the results of oil analysis. Other considerations include the type of fuel, the lubrication oil, and the engine application. The establishment of an S·O·S Oil Analysis program will allow an evaluation of the used oil. The evaluation can be used to determine if this oil change interval is suitable for your specific engine.
Replace the lubrication oil when oil analysis determines that the oil has reached the condemning limit. In the absence of oil analysis, use the following guidelines:
- Change the oil after every 500 hours of operation for 3616 Fast Vessel Engines.
- Change the oil after every 750 hours of operation for 3612 Fast Vessel Engines.
Change the Engine Oil
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Hot oil and components can cause personal injury. Do not allow hot oil or components to contact skin. |
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Ensure that the engine is stopped before performing this procedure. Attach a DO NOT OPERATE tag to the starting controls. |
Do not drain the oil when the engine is cold. As the oil cools, suspended waste particles settle on the bottom of the oil pan. The waste particles are not removed when the cold oil is drained. Drain the crankcase with the oil warm. This draining method allows the waste particles that are suspended in the oil to be drained properly.
Failure to follow this recommended procedure will allow the waste particles to be recirculated through the engine lubrication system with the new oil.
- After the engine has been operated at normal operating temperature, STOP the engine.
- Open drain valve (1) in order to drain used oil. After the oil has drained, close drain valve (1) .
Note: Some customers use suction devices to remove the oil from the oil pan. If suction equipment is available, ensure that the suction device is clean in order to prevent dirt from entering the oil pan. Be careful not to strike the engine oil suction tubes or the piston cooling jets.
Note: Drain the oil into a suitable container. Dispose of fluids according to local regulations.
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| Illustration 1 | g00130760 |
(1) Drain valve. | |
- Remove the oil filler cap. Fill the crankcase through the oil filler tube only. For the amount of oil to use, refer to the Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Refill Capacities and Recommendations" in the Maintenance Section. Clean the oil filler cap. Install the oil filler cap.
Note: Perform the following maintenance after the used oil has been drained and before the new oil is added: Clean the oil suction screen. Replace the engine oil filter elements.
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Only use oils that are recommended by Caterpillar. For the proper oil to use, refer to the Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Refill Capacities and Recommendations" in the Maintenance Section. |
Clean the Oil Suction Screen
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Hot oil and components can cause personal injury. Do not allow hot oil or components to contact skin. |
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Clean the oil suction screen at every oil change. Inspect the oil suction screen and replace the oil suction screen, if necessary.
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| Illustration 2 | g00215972 |
(1) Cover. | |
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| Illustration 3 | g00215979 |
(2) Screen assembly. | |
- Loosen the bolts from cover (1). Remove cover (1) and the gasket. Discard the old gasket. Slide screen assembly (2) from the tube.
Note: Approximately 1 L (1 qt) of oil will remain in the housing after the sump has been completely drained. This oil will pour out of the housing when cover (1) is removed. Be prepared to catch the oil with a container and clean up any spilled oil with rags. DO NOT use absorbent particles to clean up the oil.
- Wash screen assembly (2) in clean nonflammable solvent. Allow the screen assembly to dry before installation.
- Install screen assembly (2). Install a new gasket. Install cover (1) and the bolts.
Replace the Engine Oil filters
Replace the engine oil filters when any of the following are met:
- Every oil change
- The engine oil filter differential pressure reaches 100 kPa (15 psi).
- The engine oil filters have been used for 1000 operating hours.
Service tools are available to aid in the service of oil filters and fuel filters. Consult your Caterpillar dealer for the part names and the part numbers. Follow the instructions that are supplied with the service tools. If the service tools are not used, perform the following appropriate procedure.
Replacing the Engine Oil Filters With the Engine Stopped
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Hot oil and components can cause personal injury. Do not allow hot oil or components to contact skin. |
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Perform the following procedure after the oil has been drained.
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| Illustration 4 | g00215986 |
(1) Pressure gauge. (2) Drain valve. (3) Cover. (4) Control valve. | |
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| Illustration 5 | g00215989 |
Section view of the oil filter (5) Wire rack. (6) O-ring seal. (7) Element. | |
- Connect a hose from each drain valve (2) to a suitable container in order to catch the oil.
- Open both drain valves (2). Allow the oil to drain.
- Remove covers (3). Be alert to the spring force. The cover has a spring force up to 240 N (54 lb). Gradually loosen but do not remove the last two bolts or nuts that are located at opposite ends of covers (3). Before removing the last two bolts or nuts, pry the covers loose in order to relieve any spring pressure.
Note: Some oil will remain in the housing after the oil has been drained. This oil will pour out of the housing when cover (3) is removed. Be prepared to catch the oil with a container and clean up any spilled oil with rags. DO NOT use absorbent particles to clean up the oil.
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Personal injury can result from parts and/or covers under spring pressure. Spring force will be released when covers are removed. Be prepared to hold spring loaded covers as the bolts are loosened. |
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- Elements (7) are mounted on wire racks (5) inside the housing. Use a pan to catch the oil that drips when wire racks (5) are removed. Remove wire racks (5). Remove used elements (7). Clean up any oil that is spilled.
- Install new elements. Ensure that the surfaces for O-ring seals (6) are clean. Inspect O-ring seals (6). If the old O-ring seals are damaged or deteriorated, replace the old O-ring seals with new O-ring seals. Install O-ring seals (6) .
- Install covers (3). Ensure that the spring is seated properly between elements (7) and covers (3). Close drain valves (2) .
- Ensure that the crankcase is filled with oil. Operate the prelube pump and rotate the control valve to the "FILL" position for each housing. After both of the housings are full of oil, turn the control valve to the "RUN" position.
- Start the engine. Check for oil leaks.
Replacing the Engine Oil Filters During Engine Operation
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Filter contains hot pressurized fluid when engine is running. Follow instructions on control valve to avoid personal injury. If rapid air movement exists to blow fluid, Stop the engine to avoid fire. |
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If it is necessary to replace the oil filters during engine operation, perform the following procedure.
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| Illustration 6 | g00215986 |
(1) Pressure gauge. (2) Drain valve. (3) Cover. (4) Control valve. | |
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| Illustration 7 | g00215989 |
Section view of the oil filter (5) Wire rack. (6) O-ring seal. (7) Element. | |
- Connect a hose from drain valve (2) to a suitable container in order to catch the oil.
- Rotate control valve (4) to the "LOWER SERVICE" position.
- Open drain valve (2) and drain the lower oil filter housing. Observe pressure gauge (1) until the pressure is "0".
- After zero pressure has been reached, remove cover (3). Be alert to the spring force. The cover has a spring force up to 240 N (54 lb). Gradually loosen but do not remove the last two bolts or nuts that are located at opposite ends of cover (3). Before removing the last two bolts or nuts, pry the cover loose in order to relieve any spring pressure.
Note: Some oil will remain in the housing after the oil has been drained. This oil will pour out of the housing when cover (3) is removed. Be prepared to catch the oil with a container and clean up any spilled oil with rags. DO NOT use absorbent particles to clean up the oil.
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Personal injury can result from parts and/or covers under spring pressure. Spring force will be released when covers are removed. Be prepared to hold spring loaded covers as the bolts are loosened. |
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- Elements (7) are mounted on wire rack (5) inside the housing. Use a pan to catch the oil that drips when wire rack (5) is removed. Remove wire rack (5). Remove used elements (7). Clean up any oil that is spilled.
- Install new elements. Ensure that the surfaces for O-ring seal (6) are clean. Inspect O-ring seal (6). If the old O-ring seal is damaged or deteriorated, replace the old O-ring seal with a new O-ring seal. Install O-ring seal (6) .
- Install cover (3). Ensure that the spring is seated properly between element (8) and cover (3). Close drain valve (2) .
- Rotate control valve (4) to the "LOWER FILL" position. Observe pressure gauge (1). Check cover (3) for leaks.
- After the pressure of the lower oil filter and the upper oil filter is equal, rotate control valve (4) to the "UPPER SERVICE" position. Repeat Step 1 through Step 8 for the upper oil filter.
Note: A hydraulic stop will limit the rotation of the control valve until the oil filter housing is full of oil.
- After the oil filters have been serviced and after the pressure of the lower oil filter and the upper oil filter is equal, rotate control valve (4) to the "RUN" position.
Inspect Used Oil Filter Elements
Cut the used oil filter open with a 4C-5084 Oil Filter Cutter. Spread apart the pleats and inspect the element for metal debris. An excessive amount of debris in the element may indicate early wear or a pending failure.
Use a magnet to differentiate between the ferrous metals and the nonferrous metals that are found in the element. Ferrous metals may indicate wear on the steel and cast iron parts of the engine. Nonferrous metals may indicate wear on the aluminum parts, brass parts or bronze parts of the engine. Parts that may be affected include the following components: main bearings, rod bearings, turbocharger bearings and cylinder heads.
Due to normal wear and friction, it is not uncommon to find small amounts of debris in the oil filter element. If an excessive amount of debris is found in the oil filter element, consult your Caterpillar dealer in order to arrange for further oil analysis .