3126 Truck Engine (Military) Caterpillar

Caterpillar Diesel Engine Oil

Caterpillar Oils have been developed and tested in order to provide the full performance and service life that has been designed and built into Caterpillar Engines. Caterpillar Oils are currently used to fill diesel engines at the factory. These oils are offered by Caterpillar dealers for continued use when the engine oil is changed. Consult your Caterpillar dealer for more information on these oils.

Due to significant variations in the quality and in the performance of commercially available oils, Caterpillar makes the following recommendations:

• Caterpillar Diesel Engine Oil (10W30)

• Caterpillar Diesel Engine Oil (15W40)

Caterpillar multigrade Diesel Engine Oil is formulated with the correct amounts of detergents, dispersants, and alkalinity in order to provide superior performance in Caterpillar Diesel Engines.

Caterpillar multigrade Diesel Engine Oil is available in two viscosity grades (10W30 and 15W40). To choose the correct viscosity grade for the ambient temperature, see Table 1. Multigrade oils provide the correct viscosity for a broad range of operating temperatures.

Multigrade oils are effective in maintaining low oil consumption and low levels of piston deposits.

Caterpillar multigrade Diesel Engine Oil can be used in other diesel engines and in gasoline engines. See the engine manufacturer's guide for the recommended specifications. Compare the specifications to the specifications of Caterpillar multigrade Diesel Engine Oil. The current industry standards for Caterpillar Diesel Engine Oil are listed on the product label and on the data sheets for the product.

Consult your Caterpillar dealer for part numbers and for available sizes of containers.

Commercial Oils

The performance of commercial diesel engine oils is based on American Petroleum Institute (API) classifications. These API classifications are developed in order to provide commercial lubricants for a broad range of diesel engines that operate at various conditions.

If Caterpillar multigrade Diesel Engine Oil is not used, only use commercial oils that meet the following classifications:

• EMA LRG-1 multigrade oil (preferred oil)

• API CH-4 multigrade oil (preferred oil)

• API CG-4 multigrade oil (preferred oil)

• API CF-4 multigrade oil (acceptable oil)

In order to make the proper choice of a commercial oil, refer to the following explanations:

EMA LRG-1 - The Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) has developed lubricant recommendations as an alternative to the API oil classification system. LRG-1 is a Recommended Guideline that defines a level of oil performance for these types of diesel engines: high speed, four stroke cycle, heavy-duty and light duty. LRG-1 oils may be used in Caterpillar engines when API CH-4, API CG-4, and API CF-4 oils are recommended. LRG-1 oils are intended to provide superior performance in comparison to API CG-4 and API CF-4.

LRG-1 oils will meet the needs of high performance Caterpillar diesel engines that are operating in many applications. The tests and the test limits that are used to define LRG-1 are similar to the new API CH-4 classification. Therefore, these oils will also meet the requirements of the low emissions diesel engines. LRG-1 oils are designed to control the harmful effects of soot with improved wear resistance and improved resistance to oil filter plugging. These oils will also provide superior piston deposit control for engines with either two-piece steel pistons or aluminum pistons.

All LRG-1 oils must complete a full test program with the base stock and with the viscosity grade of the finished commercial oil. The use of "API Base Oil Interchange Guidelines" are not appropriate for LRG-1 oils. This feature reduces the variation in performance that can occur when base stocks are changed in commercial oil formulations.

LRG-1 oils are recommended for use in extended oil change interval programs that optimize oil life. These oil change interval programs are based on oil analysis. LRG-1 oils are recommended for conditions that demand a premium oil. Your Caterpillar dealer has the specific guidelines for optimizing oil change intervals.

API CH-4 - API CH-4 oils were developed in order to meet the requirements of the new high performance diesel engines. Also, the oil was designed to meet the requirements of the low emissions diesel engines. API CH-4 oils are also acceptable for use in older diesel engines and in diesel engines that use high sulfur diesel fuel. API CH-4 oils may be used in Caterpillar engines that use API CG-4 and API CF-4 oils. API CH-4 oils will generally exceed the performance of API CG-4 oils in the following criteria: deposits on pistons, control of oil consumption, wear of piston rings, valve train wear, viscosity control and corrosion.

Three new engine tests were developed for the API CH-4 oil. The first test specifically evaluates deposits on pistons for engines with the two-piece steel piston. This test (piston deposit) also measures the control of oil consumption. A second test is conducted with moderate oil soot. The second test measures the following criteria: wear of piston rings, wear of cylinder liners and resistance to corrosion. A third new test measures the following characteristics with high levels of soot in the oil: wear of the valve train, resistance of the oil in plugging the oil filter and control of sludge.

In addition to the new tests, API CH-4 oils have tougher limits for viscosity control in applications that generate high soot. The oils also have improved oxidation resistance. API CH-4 oils must pass an additional test (piston deposit) for engines that use aluminum pistons (single piece). Oil performance is also established for engines that operate in areas with high sulfur diesel fuel.

All of these improvements allow the API CH-4 oil to achieve optimum oil change intervals. API CH-4 oils are recommended for use in extended oil change intervals. API CH-4 oils are recommended for conditions that demand a premium oil. Your Caterpillar dealer has specific guidelines for optimizing oil change intervals.

API CG-4 - API CG-4 oils were developed primarily for diesel engines that use a 0.05 percent level of fuel sulfur. However, API CG-4 oils can be used with higher sulfur fuels. The TBN of the new oil determines the maximum fuel sulfur level for API CG-4 and API CF-4 oils. See Illustration 1.

API CG-4 oils are the first oils that are required to pass industry standard tests for foam control and viscosity shear loss. API CG-4 oils must also pass tests that were developed for corrosion, wear and oxidation.

API CF-4 - These oils service a wide variety of modern diesel engines. API CF-4 oils provide more stable oil control and reduced piston deposits in comparison to API CF and the obsolete CE and CD classifications of oil. API CF-4 oils provide improved soot dispersancy in comparison to API CF and obsolete CD oils. The API CF-4 classification was developed with a 0.40 percent sulfur diesel fuel. This represents the type of diesel fuels that are commonly available worldwide.

Some commercial oils that meet the API classifications may require reduced oil change intervals. To determine the oil change interval, closely monitor the condition of the oil and perform a wear metal analysis. Caterpillar's S·O·S oil analysis program is the preferred method.

Total Base Number (TBN) and Fuel Sulfur Levels for Direct Injection (DI) Diesel Engines

The Total Base Number (TBN) for an oil depends on the fuel sulfur level. For direct injection engines that use distillate fuel, the minimum TBN must be 10 times the fuel sulfur level. The TBN is determined by the "ASTM D2896" procedure. The minimum TBN of the oil is 5 regardless of a low fuel sulfur level. Illustration 1 demonstrates the TBN.

Illustration 1	g00104890
(Y) TBN by "ASTM D2896" (X) Percentage of fuel sulfur by weight (1) TBN of new oil (2) Change the used oil when the TBN reaches this level.

Use the following guidelines for fuel sulfur levels that exceed 1.5 percent:

• Choose an oil with the highest TBN that meets one of these classifications: EMA LRG-1, API CH-4, API CG-4 and API CF-4.

• Reduce the oil change interval. Base the oil change interval on the oil analysis. Ensure that the oil analysis includes the condition of the oil and a wear metal analysis.

Excessive piston deposits can be produced by an oil with a high TBN. These deposits can lead to a loss of control of the oil consumption and to the polishing of the cylinder bore.

Lubricant Viscosity Recommendations for Direct Injection (DI) Diesel Engines

The proper SAE viscosity grade of oil is determined by the minimum ambient temperature during cold engine start-up, and the maximum ambient temperature during engine operation.

Refer to Table 1 (minimum temperature) in order to determine the required oil viscosity for starting a cold engine.

Refer to Table 1 (maximum temperature) in order to select the oil viscosity for engine operation at the highest ambient temperature that is anticipated.

Generally, use the highest oil viscosity that is available to meet the requirement for the temperature at start-up.