C7 Engines for Combat and Tactical Vehicles Caterpillar

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Hot oil and hot components can cause personal injury. Do not allow hot oil or hot components to contact the skin.

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 with the draining cold oil. Drain the crankcase with the engine stopped. Drain the crankcase while the oil is warm. This draining method will allow the waste particles that are suspended in the oil to be properly drained.

Failure to follow this recommended procedure will cause the waste particles to be recirculated through the engine lubrication system with the new oil.

Drain the Engine Oil

After the engine has been run at the normal operating temperature, stop the engine. Attach a "DO NOT OPERATE" or a similar warning tag to the ignition key switch before the engine is serviced. Catch the oil in a suitable container. Recycle the used oil, or dispose of the used oil properly.

1. Remove the oil drain plug in order to allow the oil to drain.

2. After the oil has drained, the oil drain plug should be cleaned and installed.

   Tighten the oil drain plug to the following torque: ... 70 ± 15 N·m (52 ± 11 lb ft)

Replace the Oil Filter

1. Remove the oil filter with a 185-3630 Chain Wrench.
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   Illustration 1	g00588944
   Element with debris

2. Cut the oil filter open with a 175-7546 Oil Filter Cutter. Break apart the pleats and inspect the oil filter for metal debris. An excessive amount of metal debris in the oil filter 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 oil filter 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 items: 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. Consult your Caterpillar dealer in order to arrange for a further analysis if an excessive amount of debris is found in the oil filter.

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   Illustration 2	g00103713
   Typical filter mounting base and filter gasket

3. Clean the sealing surface of the filter mounting base. Ensure that all of the old oil filter gasket is removed.

4. Apply clean engine oil to the new oil filter gasket.
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   NOTICE
   Do not fill the oil filters with oil before installing them. This oil would not be filtered and could be contaminated. Contaminated oil can cause accelerated wear to engine components.

5. Install the oil filter. Tighten the oil filter until the oil filter gasket contacts the base. Tighten the oil filter by hand according to the instructions that are shown on the oil filter. Do not overtighten the oil filter.

Fill the Engine Crankcase

1. Remove the oil filler cap. Refer to the Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Refill Capacities and Recommendations" topic (Maintenance Section) for more information. Fill the crankcase with the proper amount of oil. Refer to the Special Publication, SEBU6385, "Caterpillar On-highway Diesel Truck Engine Fluid Recommendations" for additional information.
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   NOTICE
   If equipped with an auxiliary oil filter or system, extra oil must be added when filling the crankcase. Follow the OEM or filter manufacturer's recommendations. If the extra oil is not added, the engine may starve for oil.

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   NOTICE
   To help prevent crankshaft or bearing damage, crank engine to fill all filters before starting. Do not crank engine for more than 30 seconds.

2. Start the engine and run the engine at "LOW IDLE" for two minutes. Perform this procedure in order to ensure that the lubrication system has oil and that the oil filters are filled. Inspect the oil filter for oil leaks.

3. Stop the engine and allow the oil to drain back to the sump for a minimum of ten minutes.

4. Remove the oil level gauge in order to check the oil level. Maintain the oil level between the "ADD" and "FULL" marks on the "ENGINE STOPPED" side of the oil level gauge.

Oil Change Interval Adjustments

There are many circumstances under certain conditions that may allow an adjustment to the normal oil change interval. Many conditions that can affect the selection of the best oil change interval exist. The decision is based on the fundamental requirement that lubrication oil should be in an acceptable condition that provides continuous engine protection. The quality of the oil and amount of the oil that is available is balanced against the oil's ability to absorb by-products that are caused by combustion.

Due to the manufacturing tolerances, the engine application, and the maintenance variations, all engines do not consume fuel and oil at the same rate. The amount of fuel that is consumed is in direct relation to the maximum oil change interval that is selected. It is essential to include an S·O·S oil analysis before an adjustment of the oil change interval is considered. For more information on extending oil change intervals, contact your local Caterpillar dealer. S·O·S oil analysis should be used to verify the oil change interval adjustments. Table 1 can be used in order to determine the oil change interval adjustments.

S·O·S oil analysis should be used to verify the oil change interval adjustments. Table 1 can be used in order to determine your oil change interval adjustments.

Table for the Oil Change Interval Adjustments

Note: Metric units are listed before English units.

Note: Use of table 1 assumes the use of a recommended oil type.

There are many applications of medium duty truck engines. It is important to understand the operation of your vehicle. Use the fuel consumption, service hours, or calendar time, whichever occurs first, in order to determine the maintenance intervals. Engines which operate in severe operating conditions may require more frequent maintenance.

Instructions for the Table

1. Determine your type of vehicle application. Locate the column which lists your type of vehicle application.

2. Determine your available oil in liters or quarts. The oil quantity equals the sum of the capacities of the oil sump and the oil filter. Locate the row which lists your available oil.

3. The intersection of the column and the row lists the maximum permissible number of kilometers or miles between oil change intervals.

Example

You have determined that the vehicle application is light duty commercial. The oil capacity of the engine is 21 L (22 qt) and the oil capacity of the auxiliary oil filter is 10 L (10 qt). With S·O·S Oil Analysis verification, the maximum permissible oil change interval is 30900 kilometers (19200 miles).

For more information on optimizing oil change intervals, see your Caterpillar dealer.