- Engine:
- 3508B (S/N: 4GM1-UP; 6PN1-UP; 2HW1-UP)
- Generator Set:
- 3508B (S/N: CNB1-UP; 5KW1-UP; BGX1-UP)
- Power Module:
- PM3508 (S/N: BLM1-UP)
- 3512B (S/N: 8EM1-UP; 8RM1-UP; 4TN1-UP; 6WN1-UP; 4AW1-UP; 5AW1-UP)
- 3516B (S/N: 6HN1-UP; 7RN1-UP; 1NW1-UP; 2JW1-UP)
- 3512B (S/N: CMC1-UP; FDE1-UP; BLF1-UP; PTF1-UP; BRK1-UP; PTM1-UP; 6GW1-UP)
- 3516B (S/N: CPA1-UP; BMB1-UP; BPJ1-UP; FDN1-UP; 8NW1-UP)
- PM3512 (S/N: BNR1-UP)
- PM3516 (S/N: BPD1-UP)
Some 3500B engines in Generator Sets, in Power Modules and in Marine Auxiliary applications with low NOx, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier I or International Maritime Organization (IMO) certified software in high load factor applications can develop levels of soot that require the change of the engine oil before the published oil change interval.
The engines that are certified for EPA Tier I and for IMO are identified by a tag that is attached to the engine. Refer to Illustration 1.
 | |
| Illustration 1 | g01102241 |
(1) Certification label | |
For above engines that do not reach the published oil change intervals, use the following list of recommendations. These recommendations will increase the oil change intervals. This will also minimize excessive wear and deposits:
- Use a premium multigrade API CH-4 or CI-4 oil that also meets Caterpillar's ECF-1 specifications. Refer to Operations and Maintenance Manual, SEBU6251, "Caterpillar Commercial Diesel Engine Fluids Recommendations" for more information.
- Closely monitor levels of soot. Also look for a pattern in the levels of soot in order to help determine the proper oil change interval.
The amount of soot in the engine oil is measured in percent allowable.
There is no fixed limit to a maximum level of allowable soot. The objective is to change the oil while the rate of wear metal generation in the oil is constant. For example, iron might be generated in the oil in a particular engine at the rate of 0.1 parts per million (ppm) per hour of operation. This would result in 25 ppm of iron at 250 hours. This might occur simultaneously with soot at 120 percent. Later at 300 hours, instead of iron reaching only 30 ppm, iron might be at 40 ppm, due in part to soot being at 150 percent. If so, this means the rate of wear of the engine has increased between 250 and 300 hours. This is an example of an unacceptable increase in the wear rate of the engine. High levels of soot can be used as an indicator of increasing wear rate. If no action is taken, shortened engine life will result due to wear from excessive deposits. In this particular example, the oil change interval should be returned to 250 hours.
- For engines meeting the above criteria that experience an oil soot problem, that operate at a site not affected by local emissions permits, and that are not required to maintain emission certification, an option is to change the software to Best Brake Specific Fuel Consumption (BSFC) software. Notify the Dealer Support Network of software changes made to EPA or IMO certified engines for documentation in Technical Marketing Information (TMI) at the time the flash file is requested.
- Install a 1W-4191 Centrifugal Lube Filter Group. This oil filter will add approximately 50 to 100 hours to the oil change interval. This only applies when a high level of soot is the only cause for the reduction in the oil change interval.