3600 and C280 Diesel Engine Fluids Recommendations Caterpillar

Defining Contamination

Contamination is defined as the presence of unwanted foreign substances in fluid systems or fluid wetted parts. Contamination alters the properties of fluids, causes damage of fluid systems, and prevents systems and components from attaining the desired reliability and durability. Contamination is the primary cause of fluid system failures.

Contaminants include a wide variety of unwanted substances including but not limited to the following:

• Foreign and abrasive substances such as wear particles, fibers, dirt, and dust

• Chemical substances such as products of combustion that are suspended in the fluids

• Cross contamination of water, coolant, oil, and fuel

• Biological micro-organisms such as algae or fungi

• Physical/chemical contaminants such as products of oxidation and heat

Some contaminants are generated within the fluid system due to the normal operation of the system. Contaminants may be drawn into the system from the outside environment or contaminated fill fluids or improper maintenance and repair practices.

Particle contaminants are visible to the naked eye if the particles are approximately 40 µm (microns) and larger while smaller particles are not visible. Particle contaminants can cause damage even if the particles are not visible to the naked eye. The critical particle size for wear particles in a modern diesel engine fuel system is 4 µm.

Contaminants of all types can be controlled by following contamination control practices and using appropriate filtration. Refer to your Operation and Maintenance Manual and to your local Cat dealer for recommendations.

Controlling contamination is especially important for current machine systems. Current machine systems such as hydraulic systems and fuel injection systems are designed with close tolerances and operate at high pressures for enhanced performance. These design improvements emphasize the importance of higher performing fluids, enhanced fluid filtration, and greatly improved fluid cleanliness levels.

Measuring Cleanliness

Fluid cleanliness can be measured by taking fluid samples from various machine compartments. Your Cat dealer can analyze the samples. Particle contaminants are typically measured by particle counters. Chemical contaminants can be measured by specific analysis techniques such as oxidation, water, or soot tests. Some chemical contaminants, such as water in fuel, can interfere with the particle counters and can be counted as particles. Refer to your Cat S·O·S lab or to your Cat dealer for more information.

The number of particles in fluids is expressed in "ISO (International Organization for Standardization)" ratings. "ISO 4406" Standard classifies fluid cleanliness by the number and size of particles in 1 milliliter of fluid. "ISO 4406" Standard measures particle size in µm (microns) and reports the resulting count in three code ranges X, Y & Z. The three code range defines the size and distribution of particles in 1 milliliter of fluid:

• The first code range, X represents the number of particles equal to or larger than 4 µm per milliliter of fluid.

• The second code range, Y represents the number of particles equal to or larger than 6 µm per milliliter of fluid.

• The third code range, Z represents the number of particles equal to or larger than 14 µm per milliliter of fluid.

An example of an "ISO 4406" particle count is 18/16/13. Cat "ISO" cleanliness recommendations are expressed as two or three codes, depending on the machine system. The three code range follows "ISO 4406" definitions and is used for liquid fuels such as diesel and gasoline. The two code system, example "ISO -/16/13", is used for certain lubricant systems. In the two code system, the first number is the number of particles equal to or larger than 4 µm per milliliter of fluid. This number is not required and may be represented by a dash (-). The second number (Y) and the third number (Z) follow "ISO 4406" definitions. Cat reports the Y and Z codes for lubricating oils to keep consistency with older data and reports.

An example of the particle size and distribution of the "ISO 4406" codes is given in Table 1.

Note: Several factors affect the results of particle counts. The factors include the cleanliness of the equipment used to obtain the sample, sample techniques, the cleanliness, and type of sample container, particle counter accuracy (calibration, maintenance, and process), and the environment where the sample is procured. Samples should be taken at representative locations in the fluid circulation system or the fluid distribution system when possible. The sample should be protected adequately from contamination during transport to the lab for analysis.

In addition, particle counters may count water droplets and air bubbles as particulate contamination.

Note: American Society for Testing and Measurement has developed "ASTM D7619" “Standard Test Method for Sizing and Counting Particles in Light and Middle Distillate Fuels, by Automatic Particle Counter”. This test procedure was developed in 2010 to count and measure the size of dispersed dirt particles, water droplets, and other particles in 1-D and 2-D diesel fuels when the specified particle counter is used. "ASTM D7619" is also applicable to biodiesel fuels.

Cleanliness Standards for Fill Fluids

Cat recommends that machine systems be maintained at the factory defined fluid cleanliness targets.

Cat has established minimum fluid cleanliness targets for fuels and fill oils and for engines before they return to work after maintenance. Fluids filled into engine fill tanks are recommended to be at the target levels provided in Table 2 or cleaner. When system fill fluids are maintained at or cleaner than the "ISO" cleanliness targets, contamination-related effects will be reduced.

The “fill” fluids cleanliness target is not a fluid “delivery” target. The level of cleanliness for delivered fluids is not specified by Cat. Customers can work with the distributors or carriers to determine the cleanliness level of delivered fluids. However, a more effective and economic means to achieve the fill cleanliness targets is to filter the fluids prior to filling into engine tanks as compared with specifying delivery fluid cleanliness level. Follow the guidelines provided in this Contamination Control article.

Although older technology machines may not be able to maintain the recommended cleanliness targets of advanced models, the same contamination control intervention measures such as filtration and subsequent service procedures should be used on all Cat products.

Note: When particle counting new multi-viscosity engine oils, there may be difficulties achieving cleanliness targets. Optical particle counters cannot distinguish between particulate contaminants and additives. Do not use optical particle count for the evaluation of used engine oils because soot levels render oil too dark for optical particle counters. Soot levels in used engine oils should be evaluated by using S·O·S Services Oil Analysis.

When filtering engine oil before dispensing into the engine tank or when engine oil kidney looping filtration is done, follow these recommendations:

• Use engine oil filters of 12 microns absolute efficiency. Cat Ultra High Efficiency Lube filter is recommended. Consult your Cat dealer for the most current part number.

• Ensure that the temperature of engine oil is 20° C (68° F) or higher.

Consult your Cat dealer for information and solutions to your oil and fuel analysis needs.

General Contamination Control Recommendations or Practices

Maintaining a low contamination level can reduce down time and can control the maintenance cost of the engine. The productive life as well as the reliability of components and fluid systems is often increased as a result of proper contamination control practices.

The following are general guidelines for controlling contaminants.

• Refer to the Recommendations for Fuel Systems in this chapter for recommended fuel cleanliness levels and guidelines.

• Refer to the engine Operation and Maintenance Manual for the required maintenance for all engine fluids.

• When you add oil to an engine, use engine oil filters of 12 microns absolute efficiency. Ensure that the oil temperature is 20° C (68° F) or higher.

• Perform scheduled S·O·S Services Oil Analysis for contamination in order to maintain the recommended ISO cleanliness level of fill and machine fluids. Refer to the S·O·S Oil Analysis section in this Special Publication. The particle count analysis can be performed by your Cat dealer. Particle count can be conducted during the scheduled S·O·S Services Oil Analysis for the compartment. Extra oil samples are not required for the particle count sampling.

• Use only coolants that are recommended by Cat for your machine. Follow the recommended maintenance procedure for the cooling system in the Operation and Maintenance Manual for your machine.

• Maintain the engine air filters and air intake system to avoid unwanted contaminant ingression.

• Follow contamination control practices for the shop area, component/machine disassembly areas, parts, shop tools, test setups, test areas, storage areas and waste collection areas. Keep components clean during inspection, assembly, testing, and filling engines with clean fluids. Good practices will enhance component life and reduce downtime associated with contaminants. Your Cat dealer can provide details on proper contamination processes and practices.

• Follow contamination control practices for the workplace and for the worksite. Maintaining clean oil fill fluids saves time and effort and ensures that fill fluids are at the proper cleanliness levels.

• Use properly designed and maintained bulk storage fluids tanks.

• Protect the fluids storage tanks from dirt and water entry by using 4 µm or less absolute efficiency breathers with the ability to remove water.

• Keep the areas around the tanks filler necks clean of debris and water.

• Drain the storage tanks from water and sediments frequently. The draining schedule depends on use of proper inlet and outlet filters, the use of 4 µm breathers with the ability to remove water, and following recommended contamination control practices. Based on the contamination control program followed, and/or on the fuel supplier recommendations, the storage tank draining schedule may be as frequent as daily until no water is present, and then can be extended to longer periods.

• Install and maintain a properly designed and grounded filtration system. Filtration should include at the entry and at the dispensing point. Continuous bulk filtration may be required to ensure that dispensed oils meet the cleanliness target.

• Cover, protect, and ensure cleanliness of all connection hoses, fittings, and dispensing nozzles.

Note: Bulk fuel filtration units are available through your Cat dealer. Proper maintenance practices of the bulk filtration systems are available through your Cat dealer.

Contamination Control Recommendations for Fuels

Fuels of "ISO 18/16/13" cleanliness level or cleaner as dispensed into the engine or machine fuel tank should be used. Reduce power loss, failures, and related down time of engines will result. This cleanliness level is important for new fuel system designs such as Common Rail injection systems and unit injection systems. Injection system designs utilize higher fuel pressures and tight clearances between moving parts in order to meet required stringent emissions regulations. Peak injection pressures in current fuel injection systems may exceed 30,000 psi. Clearances in these systems are less than 5 µm. As a result, particle contaminants as small as 4 µm can cause scoring and scratching of internal pump and injector surfaces and of injector nozzles.

Water in the fuel causes cavitation, corrosion of fuel system parts, and provides an environment where microbial growth in the fuel can flourish. Other sources of fuel contamination are soaps, gels, or other compounds that may result from undesirable chemical interactions in the fuels, particularly in Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD). Gels and other compounds can also form in biodiesel fuel at low temperatures or if biodiesel is stored for extended periods. The best indication of microbial contamination, fuel additives, or cold temperature gel is rapid filter plugging of bulk fuel filters or machine fuel filters.

In order to reduce downtime due to contamination, follow these fuel maintenance guidelines. Also, follow the General Contamination Control Recommendations or Practices given above in this Chapter:

• Use high-quality fuels per recommended and required specifications (refer to the Fuel Chapter in this Special Publication)

• Fill machine fuel tanks with fuels of "ISO 18/16/13" cleanliness level or cleaner, in particular for engines with common rail and unit injection systems. When you refuel the machine, filter the fuel through a 4 µm absolute filter (Beta 4 = 75 up to 200) in order to reach the recommended cleanliness level. This filtration should be located at the device that dispenses the fuel to the engine or machine fuel tank. In addition, filtration at the dispensing point should remove water to ensure that fuel is dispensed at 500 ppm water or less.

• Cat recommends the use of bulk fuel filter / coalescer units which clean the fuel of both particulate contamination and water in a single pass. Cat offers heavy-duty filter / coalescer units to accommodate fueling rates from 50 to 300 gpm (gallons per minute).

• Ensure that you use Cat Advanced Efficiency Fuel Filters. Change your fuel filters per recommended service requirements or as needed.

• Drain your water separators daily per the Operation and Maintenance Manual of your machine.

• Drain your fuel tanks of sediment and water per the Operation and Maintenance Manual of your machine or sooner as fuel condition indicates.

• Install and maintain a properly designed bulk filter / coalescer filtration system. Continuous bulk filtration systems may be required to ensure that dispensed fuel meets the cleanliness target. Consult your Cat dealer for availability of bulk filtration products.

• Centrifugal filters may need to be used as a pre-filter with fuel that is severely contaminated with gross amounts of water and/or large particulate contaminants. Centrifugal filters can effectively remove large contaminants, but may not be able to remove the small abrasive particles required to achieve the recommended “ISO” cleanliness level. Bulk filter / coalescers are necessary as a final filter in order to achieve the recommended cleanliness level.

• Install desiccant type breathers of 4 µm or less absolute efficiency with the ability to remove water on bulk storage tanks.

• Follow proper practices of fuel transportation. Filtration from the storage tank to the machine promotes the delivery of clean fuel to machine tank. Fuel filtration can be installed at each transport stage in order to keep the fuel clean.

• Cover, protect, and ensure cleanliness of all connection hoses, fittings, and dispensing nozzles.

Consult your local Cat dealer for additional information on Cat designed and produced filtration products.