 |
|
Engine exhaust contains products of combustion which may be harmful to your health. Always start and operate the engine in a well ventilated area and, if in an enclosed area, vent the exhaust to the outside. |
Perform the required daily maintenance and other periodic maintenance before you start the engine. Inspect the engine compartment. This inspection can help prevent major repairs at a later date. Refer to the Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Walk-Around Inspection" topic (Maintenance Section) for more information.
- For the maximum service life of the engine, make a thorough inspection before you start the engine. Look for the following items: oil leaks, coolant leaks, loose bolts and trash buildup. Remove trash buildup and arrange for repairs, as needed.
- Inspect the cooling system hoses for cracks and for loose clamps.
- Inspect the alternator and accessory drive belts for cracks, breaks, and other damage.
- Inspect the wiring for loose connections and for worn wires or frayed wires.
- Check the fuel supply. Drain water from the water separator (if equipped). Open the fuel supply valve.
| NOTICE |
|---|
|
All valves in the fuel return line must be open before and during engine operation to help prevent high fuel pressure. High fuel pressure may cause filter housing failure or other damage. |
- Do not start the engine or do not move any of the controls if there is a "DO NOT OPERATE" warning tag or similar warning tag attached to the start switch or to the controls.
- Ensure that the areas around the rotating parts are clear.
- All of the guards must be put in place. Check for damaged guards or for missing guards. Repair any damaged guards. Replace damaged guards and/or missing guards.
- Disconnect any battery chargers that are not protected against the high current drain that is created when the electric starting motor (if equipped) is engaged. Check electrical cables and check the battery for poor connections and for corrosion.
- Reset all of the shutoffs or alarm components.
- Check the engine lubrication oil level. Maintain the oil level between the "ADD" mark and the "FULL" mark on the oil level gauge.
- Check the coolant level. Observe the coolant level in the coolant recovery tank (if equipped). Maintain the coolant level to the "FULL" mark on the coolant recovery tank.
- If the engine is not equipped with a coolant recovery tank maintain the coolant level within
13 mm (.5 inch) of the bottom of the filler pipe. If the engine is equipped with a sight glass, maintain the coolant level in the sight glass. - Observe the air cleaner service indicator (if equipped). Service the air cleaner when the yellow diaphragm enters the red zone, or when the red piston locks in the visible position.
- Ensure that any driven equipment has been disengaged. Remove any electrical loads.
Starting the engine and operation in cold weather is dependent on the type of fuel that is used, the oil viscosity, and other optional starting aids. For more information, refer to the Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Cold Weather Operation" topic (Operation Section).
|
|
DO NOT USE ETHER (starting fluids) unless specifically instructed to do so. If the engine is equipped with an Air Inlet Heater (electrically or fuel ignited manifold heater), DO NOT use ether (starting fluids) at any time. The use could result in engine damage and/or personal injury. |
Note: There will be an indicator lamp on the dashboard of the vehicle that is marked "AIR INLET HEATER".
For detailed information on the operation of the Air Inlet Heater, refer to System Operation, "Air Inlet and Exhaust".
Use the following procedure in order to start the engine:
- Engage the parking brake. Place the transmission in NEUTRAL. If the vehicle is equipped with a manual transmission, depress the clutch pedal in order to disengage the flywheel clutch. This reduces transmission drag and this prevents movement of the vehicle. Depressing the clutch helps to reduce the battery drain. In cold weather, this can mean the difference between starting the engine and not starting the engine.
The "CHECK ENGINE/DIAGNOSTIC" lamp will flash while the engine is cranking. The lamp should turn off after proper engine oil pressure is achieved. If the lamp fails to flash, notify your authorized Caterpillar dealer. If the lamp continues to flash, the ECM has detected a problem in the system. Refer to the Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Engine Diagnostics" topic (Operation Section).
- Turn the keyswitch to the ON position. The air inlet heater can preheat the system in order to improve cold weather starting.
Note: The "AIR INLET HEATER" indicator lamp will flash for a minimum of two seconds regardless of the coolant temperature. If the "AIR INLET HEATER" indicator lamp flashes for more than two seconds, wait until the indicator lamp stops flashing (approximately 30 seconds) before attempting to start the engine. If the indicator lamp continues to flash, the ECM will control the air inlet heater during a restart of the engine. Restarting the engine at this point can cause excessive white smoke.
Note: A buzz may be heard while the air inlet heater is engaged. This is the sound of the fuel injectors that are being exercised in preparation for starting.
Show/hide tableNOTICE Do not engage the starting motor when flywheel is turning. Do not start the engine under load.
If the engine fails to start within 30 seconds, release the starter switch or button and wait two minutes to allow the starting motor to cool before attempting to start the engine again.
- Turn the keyswitch to the START position in order to crank the engine. The air inlet heater will turn ON if the sum of the coolant temperature and the inlet air temperature is less than
25 °C (77 °F) . Do not push the throttle or do not hold the throttle downward while the engine is cranked. The system will automatically provide the correct amount of fuel in order to start the engine. If the engine does not start after 15 to 20 seconds of cranking, release the keyswitch. If the sum of the coolant temperature and the inlet air temperature is less than25 °C (77 °F) , the preheat for the air inlet heater will restart. Turn the keyswitch to the OFF position. Allow the starting motor to cool for two minutes. Repeat Steps 2 and 3.Show/hide tableNOTICE Oil pressure should rise within 15 seconds after the engine starts. Do not increase engine speed until the oil pressure gauge indicates normal. If oil pressure is not indicated on the gauge within 15 seconds, DO NOT operate the engine. STOP the engine, investigate and correct the cause.
- Release the keyswitch to the ON or RUN position immediately after the engine starts. After the engine starts, check in order to ensure that the transmission is still in the NEUTRAL position and release the clutch pedal (manual transmission). Once a normal engine oil pressure and air pressure are reached, the vehicle may be operated at a light load and speed.
After the engine has started, the air inlet heater may continue to operate in a "Continuous" mode and/or in an "Intermittent" mode. The air inlet heater will turn OFF when the sum of the coolant temperature and the air inlet temperature exceeds
35 °C (95 °F) .If the engine is operated with a low load, the engine will reach normal operating temperature sooner than idling the engine with no load. When the engine is idled in cold weather, increase the engine rpm to approximately 1000 to 1200 rpm. This will warm up the engine more quickly. Do not exceed the recommended rpm in order to increase the speed of the warm-up. Limit unnecessary idle time to ten minutes.
Ether Injection System (If Equipped)
|
|
Personal injury or property damage can result from alcohol or starting fluids. Alcohol or starting fluids are highly flammable and toxic and if improperly stored could result in injury or property damage. |
|
|
When using starting fluid (ether), follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. Use the starting fluid sparingly and spray only while cranking the engine. Failure to do so could result in an explosion and/or fire and personal injury. |
| NOTICE |
|---|
|
The optional automatic ether injection system is the only starting fluid system that is recommended. Excessive starting fluid can cause piston and ring damage. Use starting fluid for cold starting purposes only. |
Startability will be improved at temperatures below
An optional ether starting aid is available for use with the engine. The system injects ether into the air inlet manifold after the air inlet heater. Extensive damage to the engine could occur if ether is directed at the air inlet heater during activation.
If the vehicle is equipped with the ether injection system, perform the following procedure:
- Crank the engine.
- Depress the ether switch.
- Hold the ether switch for three seconds.
- Release the ether switch.
Additional injections may be necessary in order to start the engine. Additional injections may be necessary in order to achieve the low idle speed.
An occasional starting problem may be caused by one of the following items:
- Low battery charge
- Lack of fuel
- Problem with the wiring harness
If the engine fuel system has been run dry, fill the fuel tank and prime the fuel system. Refer to the Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Fuel System - Prime" topic (Maintenance Section).
If the other problems are suspected, perform the appropriate procedure in order to start the engine.
Problems with the Wiring Harness
| |
| Illustration 1 | g00414720 |
|
(1) Engine harness
(2) Connection for the chassis harness (vehicle OEM) | |
Locate the ECM. Two harness connectors are attached to the ECM. One connector is engine harness (1) and the other connector is the chassis harness. Check the connectors in order to ensure that the connectors are secure. Lightly pull each of the wires in the chassis harness.
- Pull each wire with approximately
4.5 kg (10 lb) of force. The wire should remain in the connector. - If a wire is loose, push the wire back into the connector. Pull the wire again in order to ensure that the wire is secure.
- Start the engine. If the engine does not start, consult the nearest Caterpillar dealer for assistance.