1987/12/01 Caterpillar


Oil Pan Size Identification

Usage:


3208 Naturally Aspirated Engines

Reference: "Engine Oil Refill Capacity Reduced", in this issue.

Some servicemen have reported difficulty in determining the correct refill capacity when checking oil level gauge (dipstick) calibration. This is because they were not sure how to correctly identify which size oil pan was used on the engine.

Three basic oil pan designs are used on 3208 Engines. They are the shallow sump, deep sump, and center sump oil pans. The shallow sump and deep sump pans are used in both front and rear sump orientations. Marine engines use a modified version of the shallow sump oil pan.

The total capacities listed are the total engine oil refill capacities when performing an oil change including filters, but not including extra oil for auxiliary bypass oil filter systems such as Luber-finer®. When checking oil level gauge calibration, these auxiliary filter systems must be disconnected from the engine.

Shallow Sump Oil Pans

These pans are identified by two stiffening ribs (one on each side) stamped into the bottom surface of the pan in the transition area between the shallow end and the deep end. In addition, the drain plug on the bottom is located in a rectangular stamped boss. See Illustration 1 for identification.


Illustration 1. Shallow sump oil pans.

All NA engines with this pan (except marine engines) have a total capacity of 11.5 L (12.0 U.S. qt) (including the filters). Engines with this pan should have a difference of 2 L (2 U.S. qt) between "Add" and "Full" on the oil level gauge.

NOTE: All marine engines use a modified version of this pan, but because of remote mounted filters and lines, they require slightly more oil than other NA engines which use the shallow sump oil pan. Naturally aspirated marine engines have a total capacity of 12 L (13 U.S. qt) (including filters). The oil level gauges and guide tubes are connected directly to the pan, rather than the cylinder block. See Illustration 2 for identification of the marine oil pan.


Illustration 2. Marine oil pans (modified shallow sump).

Deep Sump Oil Pans

These pans are noticeably deeper than the shallow sump pans. However, these pans do NOT have either the stamped stiffening ribs, or the stamped oil drain boss that are found on the shallow sump pans. The deep sump pans are smooth in both of these locations. Naturally aspirated engines with this deep pan now have a total capacity of 15 L (16 U.S. qt) (including filters), and now have a difference of 2 L (2 U.S. qt) between the "Add" and "Full" marks on the oil level gauge. See Illustration 3 for identification of the deep sump oil pan.


Illustration 3. Deep sump oil pans.

Center Sump Oil Pans

These pans have the deep part of the oil pan in the center instead of at one end. NA engines with this pan have a total capacity of 13 L (14 U.S. qt), and have a difference of 2 L (2 U.S. qt) between the "Add" and "Full" marks on the oil level gauge. This pan is usually used on some naturally aspirated industrial engines. The oil level gauge and guide tube are usually connected directly to the pan, rather than the cylinder block. See Illustration 4 for identification of the center sump oil pan.


Illustration 4. Center sump oil pans.

Caterpillar Information System:

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