325C Excavator Caterpillar

Engine Oil and Filter - Change

Usage:

325C DTF

Selection of the Oil Change Interval

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NOTICE

A 500 hour engine oil change interval is available, provided that operating conditions and recommended multigrade oil types are met. When these requirements are not met, shorten the oil change interval to 250 hours, or use an S·O·S oil sampling and analysis program to determine an acceptable oil change interval. If you select an interval for oil and filter change that is too long, you may damage the engine.

Cat oil filters are recommended.

Recommended multigrade oil types are listed in Table 1. Do not use single grade oils.

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Illustration 1	g00753767
API Trademark Commercial oils that are licensed by the American Petroleum Institute (API) bear this trademark. Commercial oils that do not bear this trademark are not licensed and these oils are not recommended. Oils that are not listed in Table 1 are not recommended.

Abnormally harsh operating cycles or harsh environments can shorten the service life of the engine oil. Arctic temperatures, corrosive environments, or extremely dusty conditions may require a reduction in engine oil change intervals from the recommendations in Table 1. Also refer to Manual, SEBU5898, "Cold Weather Recommendations". Poor maintenance of air filters or of fuel filters requires reduced oil change intervals. See your Caterpillar dealer for more information if this product will experience abnormally harsh operating cycles or harsh environments.

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Table 1
325C 325C L Engine Oil Change Interval ⁽¹⁾
Multigrade Oil Type	Operating Conditions
			Severe
	Normal ⁽²⁾	High Load Factor ⁽³⁾ above 29.4 L (7.8 US gal) per hr of fuel	Fuel Sulfur from 0.3% to 0.5%	Altitude above 1830 m (6000 ft)
	Normal ⁽²⁾		⁽⁴⁾	Altitude above 1830 m (6000 ft)
Cat DEO Preferred	500 hr	500 hr	500 hr	250 hr ⁽⁶⁾
API CH-4 11.0 minimum TBN ⁽⁴⁾ Preferred	500 hr	500 hr	500 hr	250 hr ⁽⁶⁾
API CH-4 TBN ⁽⁴⁾ below 11.0	500 hr	500 hr	250 hr ⁽⁵⁾	250 hr ⁽⁶⁾
API CG-4	500 hr	250 hr ⁽⁵⁾	250 hr ⁽⁵⁾	250 hr ⁽⁶⁾
API CF-4	250 hr ⁽⁵⁾	250 hr ⁽⁶⁾	250 hr ⁽⁶⁾	250 hr ⁽⁶⁾

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^( 1 )	The traditional oil change interval for engines is 250 hours. The standard oil change interval in this machine is 500 hours, if the operating conditions and recommended oil types that are listed in this table are met. Improvements in the engine allow this engine oil change interval. This new standard interval is not permitted for other machines. Refer to the applicable Operation and Maintenance Manuals for the other machines.
^( 2 )	Normal conditions include these factors: Fuel sulfur below 0.3%, altitude below 1830 m (6000 ft) and good air filter and fuel filter maintenance. Normal conditions do not include high load factor, harsh operating cycles, or harsh environments.
^( 3 )	High load factors can shorten the service life of your engine oil. Continuous heavy load cycles and very little idle time result in increased fuel consumption and oil contamination. These factors deplete the oil additives more rapidly. If the average fuel consumption of your 325C or 325C L exceeds 29.4 L (7.8 US gal) per hour, follow the "High Load Factor" recommendations in Table 1. To determine average fuel consumption, measure average fuel consumption for a period of 50 to 100 hours. If the application of the machine is changed, the average fuel consumption may change.
^( 4 )	For sulfur content above 0.5%, refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Total Base Number (TBN) and Fuel Sulfur Levels for Direct Injection (DI) Diesel Engines" in the "Lubricant" section of this manual. Also, you may refer to this topic in Manual, SEBU6250.
^( 5 )	In order to verify an oil change interval of 500 hours, refer to "Program A" below.
^( 6 )	Use "Program B" below to determine an appropriate interval.

Adjustment of the Oil Change Interval

Note: Your Caterpillar dealer has additional information on these programs.

Program A

Verification for an Oil Change Interval of 500 Hours

This program consists of three oil change intervals of 500 hours. Oil sampling and analysis is done at 250 hours and 500 hours for each of the three intervals for a total of six oil samples. The analysis includes oil viscosity and infrared (IR) analysis of the oil. If all of the results are satisfactory, the 500 hour oil change interval is acceptable for the machine in that application. Repeat Program A if you change the application of the machine.

If a sample does not pass the oil analysis, take one of these actions:

Shorten the oil change interval to 250 hours.
Proceed to Program B.
Change to a preferred oil type in Table 1.

Program B

Optimizing Oil Change Intervals

Begin with a 250 hour oil change interval. The oil change intervals are adjusted by increments. Each interval is adjusted an additional 50 hours. Periodic oil sampling and analysis is done during each interval. The analysis includes oil viscosity and infrared (IR) analysis of the oil. Repeat Program B if you change the application of the machine.

If an oil sample does not pass the analysis, shorten the oil change interval, or change to a preferred multigrade oil type in the listing above.

References

Reference: Form, PEDP7035, "Optimizing Oil Change Intervals"

Reference: Form, PEDP7036, "S·O·S Fluid Analysis"

Reference: Form, PEDP7076, "Understanding the S·O·S Oil Analysis Tests"

Procedure for Changing Engine Oil and Filter

Note: If the sulfur content in the fuel is greater than 1.5 percent by weight, use an oil that has a TBN of 30 and reduce the oil change interval by one-half.

Park the machine on a level surface. Stop the engine.

Note: Drain the crankcase while the oil is warm. This allows waste particles that are suspended in the oil to drain. As the oil cools, the waste particles will settle to the bottom of the crankcase. The particles will not be removed by draining the oil and the particles will recirculate in the engine lubrication system with the new oil.

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Illustration 2	g00697284

The drain valve for the engine crankcase oil is located under the rear of the upper structure.

Note: Refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, "General Hazard Information" for information on Containing Fluid Spillage.

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Illustration 3	g00107915

Open the crankcase drain valve. Allow the oil to drain into a suitable container.
Note: Discard any drained fluids according to local regulations.

Close the drain valve.

Open the access door at the right side of the machine.

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Illustration 4	g00751728

Remove the oil filter with a strap type wrench. See Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Oil Filter - Inspect". Dispose of the used filter according to local regulations.

Clean the filter housing base. Make sure that all of the old filter gasket is removed.

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Illustration 5	g00101502

Apply a thin coat of engine oil to the gasket of the new filter.

Install the new filter by hand. When the gasket contacts the filter base, turn the filter by 3/4 turn more. This will tighten the filter sufficiently.
Every new oil filter has rotation index marks that are spaced by 1/4 turn. Use the rotation index marks as a guide for tightening the oil filter.

Close the access door.

Unlatch the engine hood and raise the engine hood.

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Illustration 6	g00811405

Remove the oil filler plug. Fill the crankcase with new oil. See Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Refill Capacities". Clean the oil filler plug and install the oil filler plug.

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NOTICE

Do not under fill or overfill engine crankcase with oil. Either condition can cause engine damage.

Start the engine and allow the oil to warm. Check the engine for leaks. Stop the engine.

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Illustration 7	g00101479

Wait for 30 minutes in order to allow the oil to drain back into the crankcase. Check the oil level with the dipstick. Maintain the oil between the "FULL" and "ADD" marks on the dipstick. If necessary, add oil.