3516B and 3516C Engines For MT4400D AC Off-Highway Trucks Caterpillar

Oil Pressure Is Low

Usage:

Use this procedure in order to troubleshoot low engine oil pressure. Or, use this procedure if one of the following event codes is active.

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Table 1
Event Codes
Code and Description	Conditions which Generate this Code	System Response
100-17 Engine Oil Pressure : Low - least severe (1)	The engine oil pressure is below the trip point and the delay time has expired.	The code is logged. The ECM may derate the engine or shutdown the engine.
100-18 Engine Oil Pressure : Low - moderate severity (2)
100-1 Engine Oil Pressure : Low - most severe (3)
E360(1) Low Engine Oil Pressure - least severe	The engine oil pressure is below the trip point and the delay time has expired.	The code is logged. The ECM may derate the engine or shutdown the engine.
E360(2) Low Engine Oil Pressure - moderate severity
E360(3) Low Engine Oil Pressure - most severe

Probable Causes

Associated code
Low engine oil level
Aeration in the oil
Low oil viscosity
Plugged Oil Filter
Faulty oil pump
Faulty engine oil pressure sensor
Faulty bypass valve
Damaged suction tube or cracked suction tube
Excessive wear of engine components

Recommended Actions

Note: The procedures have been listed in order of probability. Complete the procedures in the order of the listed test steps.

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Table 2
Troubleshooting Test Steps	Values	Results
1. Active Codes and Logged Codes A. Establish communication between Caterpillar Electronic Technician (ET) and the Electronic Control Module (ECM). B. Monitor the diagnostic codes on Cat ET. Check for active or logged diagnostic codes. Specifically check for codes that could be associated to low oil pressure. Refer to the histogram information for engine derates in Cat ET. Note: Wait at least 30 seconds in order for diagnostic codes to become active. C. If the histograms contain derates and no diagnostic codes are present, then the engine is operating normally.	Codes	Result: A diagnostic code is present. Repair: Troubleshoot any codes before continuing with this procedure. Verify that the repair eliminated the problem. Reset the histogram. Result: A diagnostic code is not present. Proceed to Test Step 2.
2. Engine Oil Level A. Check the engine oil level in the crankcase. Refer to the Operation and Maintenance Manual for calibration of the dipstick gauge. The oil level can possibly be too far below the oil pump supply tube. The oil pump cannot supply enough lubrication to the engine components.	Oil	Result: The engine oil level is low. Repair: Add engine oil in order to obtain the correct engine oil level. Refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Engine Oil" for the recommendations of engine oil. Start the engine. Inspect the exterior of the engine for oil leaks. Repair any oil leaks. Verify that the repair eliminated the problem. Result: The engine oil is not low. Proceed to Test Step 3.
3. Aerated Oil A. Sample the engine oil for aeration. Foamy oil on the dipstick is a good indication of aeration.	Aeration	Result: The oil is aerated. Proceed to Test Step 9. Result: The oil is not aerated. Proceed to Test Step 4.
4. Oil Viscosity A. Sample the engine oil viscosity. Obtain an S·O·S Oil Analysis to determine the characteristics of the oil.	Oil viscosity	Result: The oil viscosity is not correct. Repair: Replace the engine oil. Refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Engine Oil" for the recommendations of engine oil. Result: The oil viscosity is correct. Proceed to Test Step 5.
5. Engine Oil Pressure Sensor A. Remove the oil pressure sensor. B. Install a pipe "T" in the pressure sensor port. C. Install a manual gauge on one side of the pipe "T". Install the oil pressure sensor on the other side of the pipe "T". D. Start the engine and compare the two readings. The pressure reading must be within ±13.8 kPa (±2 psi).	Sensor	Result The pressure is within ±13.8 kPa (±2 psi). Proceed to Test Step 6. Result The pressure is not within ±13.8 kPa (±2 psi). Repair: Replace the sensor. Verify that the repair eliminated the problem.
6. Oil Filter A. Replace the engine oil filter.	Filter	Result: Replace the engine oil filter. Repair: The oil filter was replaced. Verify that the repair eliminated the problem.
7. Oil Pump A. Manually check the engine oil pressure. Refer to Systems Operation/Testing and Adjusting, "Engine Oil Pressure - Test" for the correct procedure.	Oil pressure	Result: The oil pressure meets specifications. Proceed to Test Step 8. Result: The oil pressure does not meet specifications. Repair: Replace the oil pump. Verify that the repair eliminated the problem.
8. Oil Pump Suction Tube A. Remove the oil pan. B. Inspect the suction tube. Check the joints of the tube for cracks or for a damaged O-ring seal at the connection to the pump. C. Inspect the inlet screen of the suction tube for a restriction. This restriction will cause cavitation and a loss of engine oil pressure.	Suction tube	Result: The suction tube and seal are OK. Proceed to Test Step 9. Result: The suction tube and seal are not OK. Repair: Replace any damaged parts. Verify that the repair eliminated the problem.
9. Worn Engine Components A. Remove the valve covers. B. Inspect the camshaft and bearings. C. Remove the oil pan. D. Excessive clearance at the crankshaft or camshaft bearings will cause low engine oil pressure. Check the engine components for excessive clearance. Also, inspect the piston cooling jets.	Worn parts	Result: There are worn engine components. Repair: Replace parts, if necessary. Check the Reuse and Salvage Guidelines for the reusability of existing engine components. Verify that the repair eliminated the problem.

If the procedure did not correct the issue, contact your Cat dealer Technical Communicator (TC). For further assistance, your TC can confer with the Dealer Solutions Network (DSN).