C15 Engine Caterpillar

Engine Oil

API Oils

The Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System by the American Petroleum Institute (API) is recognized by Caterpillar. For detailed information about this system, see the latest edition of the "API publication No. 1509". Engine oils that bear the API symbol are authorized by API.

Illustration 1	g00546535
Typical API symbol

Diesel engine oils CC, CD, CD-2, and CE have not been API authorized classifications since 1January 1996. Table 1 summarizes the status of the classifications.

Caterpillar Diesel Engine Oil (DEO)

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 (DEO) (10W-30)

• Caterpillar Diesel Engine Oil (DEO) (15W-40)

Commercial Oils

Engine Crankcase Fluid Recommendations for all current and noncurrent Caterpillar On-highway Diesel Truck Engines:

• API CH-4 oils and API CI-4 oils are acceptable if the requirements of Caterpillar's ECF-1 (Engine Crankcase Fluid specification-1) are met. CH-4 oils and CI-4 oils that have not met the requirements of Caterpillar's ECF-1 Specification may cause reduced engine life.

• API CG-4 oils are acceptable for all Caterpillar diesel engines. When the API CG-4 oils are used, the oil drain interval should not exceed 75 Percent of the standard oil drain interval for your engine.

• API CF-4 oils are no longer recommended.

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

API CI-4 - API CI-4 oils were developed in order to meet the requirements of high performance diesel engines that use cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR). API CI-4 oils are acceptable if the requirements of Caterpillar's ECF-1 (Engine Crankcase Fluid specification-1) are met.

API CH-4 - API CH-4 oils were developed in order to protect low emissions diesel engines that use a 0.05 percent level of fuel sulfur. However, API CH-4 oils may be used with higher sulfur fuels. API CH-4 oils are acceptable if the requirements of Caterpillar's ECF-1 (Engine Crankcase Fluid specification-1) are met.

Note: CH-4 oils and CI-4 oils that have not met the requirements of Caterpillar's ECF-1 Specification may cause reduced engine life.

Note: Refer to Special Publication, SEBU6385, "Caterpillar On-highway Diesel Truck Engine Fluids Recommendations" for additional information that relates to lubrication for your engine.

Lubricant Viscosity Recommendations

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

Refer to Table 2 (maximum temperature) in order to select the oil viscosity for engine operation at the highest ambient temperature that is anticipated.

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

If ambient temperature conditions at engine start-up require the use of multigrade SAE 0W oil, SAE 0W-40 viscosity grade is preferred over SAE 0W-20 or SAE 0W-30.

Note: SAE 10W-30 is the preferred viscosity grade for the following diesel engines when the ambient temperature is above −18 °C (0 °F) and below 40 °C (104 °F).

Note: Supplemental heat is recommended below the minimum recommended ambient temperature.

S·O·S Oil Analysis

Caterpillar has developed a tool for maintenance management that evaluates oil degradation and the tool also detects the early signs of wear on internal components. The Caterpillar tool for oil analysis is called S·O·S Oil Analysis and the tool is part of the S·O·S Services program. S·O·S Oil Analysis divides oil analysis into three categories:

• Wear Analysis

• Oil condition

• Additional tests

The wear analysis monitors metal particles, some oil additives, and some contaminants.

Oil condition uses infrared (IR) analysis to evaluate the chemistry of the oil. Infrared analysis is also used to detect certain types of contamination.

Additional tests are used to measure contamination levels from water, fuel, or coolant. Oil viscosity and corrosion protection can be evaluated, as needed.

Refer to Special Publication, SEBU6385, "Caterpillar On-highway Diesel Truck Engine Fluids Recommendations" or contact your local Caterpillar dealer for additional information concerning the S·O·S Oil Analysis program.

Refill Capacities (Engine Oil)

The refill capacities for the engine crankcase reflect the approximate capacity of the crankcase or sump plus standard oil filters. Auxiliary oil filter systems will require additional oil. Refer to the OEM specifications for the capacity of the auxiliary oil filter.

Lubricating Grease

Caterpillar provides a range of moderate greases to extremely high performance greases in order to service the entire line of Caterpillar products that operate throughout the wide variety of climates. From this variety of Caterpillar grease products, you will find at least one of the Caterpillar greases that will meet or exceed the performance requirements for any machine or equipment application.

Before selecting a grease for any application, the performance requirements must be determined. Consult the grease recommendations that are made by the OEM for the equipment when the equipment is operated in the expected conditions. Then, consult with your Caterpillar dealer for a list of greases and the following related characteristics.

• Performance specifications

• Available sizes of containers

• Part numbers

Always choose a grease that meets or exceeds the recommendations that are specified by the equipment manufacturer for the application.

If it is necessary to choose a single grease to use for all of the equipment at one site, always choose a grease that meets or exceeds the requirements of the most demanding application. Keep in mind that products that barely meet the minimum performance requirements can be expected to barely produce the minimum life of the parts. It is false economy to use grease that was purchased based on the lowest cost per pound. Instead, use the grease that yields the lowest total operating cost based on an analysis that includes the costs of parts, labor, and downtime, as well as the cost of the amount of grease that is actually used.

Note: Because some greases are not chemically compatible, it is generally recommended to purge all of the old grease from the joint when switching from one type of grease to another, and/or from one supplier to another. Consult your supplier in order to determine if the greases are compatible.

If in doubt, Purge!

Note: All Caterpillar brand of greases are compatible with each other.

Note: Refer to Special Publication, SEBU6385, "Caterpillar On-highway Diesel Truck Engine Fluids Recommendations" for additional information that relates to lubrication for your engine.

Fuel

Distillate Diesel Fuel

Caterpillar recommends that all distillate diesel fuel, including ULSD fuel (fuel ≤ 15 ppm sulfur using ASTM D 2622 or DIN 51400) meet the requirements of the Caterpillar Specifications for Distillate Diesel Fuel.

In North America, diesel fuel that is identified as No. 1-D or No. 2-D in "ASTM D975" generally meet the specifications. Caterpillar recommends diesel fuels that are distilled from crude oil. Diesel fuels from other sources could exhibit detrimental properties that are not defined or controlled by this specification.

Note: Caterpillar recommends that the fuel be filtered through a fuel filter with a rating of less than five (5) microns absolute at the point at which the fuel is dispensed into the vehicle.

Note: Refer to Special Publication, SEBU6385, "Caterpillar On-highway Diesel Truck Engine Fluids Recommendations" for the Caterpillar Specification for distillate fuel and for additional information that relates to fuel for your engine.

Refill Capacities (Fuel System)

Refer to the Operation and Maintenance Manual that is provided by the OEM for capacities of the fuel system.

Coolant

The following two coolants are used in Caterpillar diesel engines:

Preferred - Caterpillar Extended Life Coolant (ELC) or a commercial extended life coolant that meets the Caterpillar EC-1 specification

Acceptable - A Caterpillar Diesel Engine Antifreeze/Coolant (DEAC) or a commercial heavy-duty coolant/antifreeze that meets "ASTM D4985", or "ASTM D6210" specifications

Note: Caterpillar DEAC does not require a treatment with an SCA at the initial fill. A commercial heavy-duty coolant/antifreeze that meets "ASTM D4985" or "ASTM D6210" specifications MAY require a treatment with an SCA at the initial fill. These coolants WILL require a treatment with an SCA on a maintenance basis.

Note: Add the Cat® ELC Extender at the halfway point of the coolant change interval.

Note: These drain intervals are only possible with annual Level 2 coolant analysis.

Glycol

Glycol in the coolant helps to provide protection against the following conditions:

• Boiling

• Freezing

• Cavitation of the water pump and cylinder liners

For optimum performance, Caterpillar recommends a 1:1 mixture of a water/glycol solution.

Note: Use a mixture that will provide protection against the lowest ambient temperature.

Note: 100 percent pure glycol will freeze at a temperature of −23 °C (−9 °F).

Refer to tables 5 and 6for additional information.

Most conventional heavy-duty coolant/antifreezes use ethylene glycol. Propylene glycol may also be used. In a 1:1 mixture with water, ethylene and propylene glycol provide similar protection against freezing and boiling. Refer to tables 5 and 6 for additional information.

To check the concentration of glycol, use the 1U-7298 Coolant/Battery Tester (Degree Celsius) or use the 1U-7297 Coolant/Battery Tester (Degree Fahrenheit). The testers give readings that are immediate and accurate. The testers can be used with ethylene or propylene glycol.

Note: Propylene glycol coolant used in Caterpillar Diesel Engine cooling systems must meet "ASTM D6211-98a "Fully-Formulated Propylene Glycol-Based Engine Coolant for Heavy-Duty Engines". When Propylene glycol is used in heavy-duty diesel engines, the regular addition of Supplemental Coolant Additive (SCA) is required for protection against liner cavitation. Consult your Caterpillar dealer for more information.

S·O·S Coolant Analysis

Testing the engine coolant is important to ensure that the engine is protected from internal cavitation and from corrosion. The analysis also tests the ability of the coolant to protect the engine from boiling and from freezing. The S·O·S Coolant Analysis can be done at your Caterpillar dealer. Caterpillar S·O·S Coolant Analysis is the best way to monitor the condition of your coolant and your cooling system. S·O·S Coolant Analysis is a program that is based on periodic samples.

Refer to Special Publication, SEBU6385, "Caterpillar On-highway Diesel Truck Engine Fluids Recommendations" for additional information.

Refill Capacity (Coolant System)

The total cooling system capacity will vary depending on the radiator that is provided by the vehicle manufacturer. The table for the capacity of the cooling system is blank. The customer should fill in the table.

Note: Refer to Special Publication, SEBU6385, "Caterpillar On-highway Diesel Truck Engine Fluids Recommendations" for additional information that relates to coolant for your engine.