2007/07/30 Caterpillar

Machine Engines:

All

Service Magazine SEPD0899, 30 July 2007, "Fuel Filter, Element, and Water Separator Maintenance and Proper Warranty Reporting ". Disregard this article. Refer to the article that follows.

Fuel Filters

A significant number of SIMS entries against fuel filters and water separators, entered with Part Defect Code 57 "Plugged/Restricted", have been identified. The part numbers in question are:

Table 1

Fuel Filters and Water Separators in Question
326-1644	Water Separator and Fuel Filter As
1R-0762	Fuel Filter
1R-0770	Water Separator and Fuel Filter As
1R-0751	Fuel Filter
1R-0749	Fuel Filter
133-5673	Water Separator Element
326-1641	Water Separator and Fuel Filter As
1R-0755	Fuel Filter
326-1643	Water Separator and Fuel Filter As
1R-0781	Water Separator and Fuel Filter As
1R-0771	Water Separator and Fuel Filter As
326-1642	Water Separator and Fuel Filter As
1R-0769	Water Separator and Fuel Filter As
343-5527	Bowl
270-5320	Bowl
173-7126	Bowl

Claims analysis and parts return investigations, have determined that the fuel filters and water separators were performing as designed. If a fuel filter or water separator is plugged, the source of the material which plugged those components should be identified. Then enter the source part that caused the failure. For example, if the material that plugged the fuel filter or water separator came from the fuel tank, the SIMSi entry should be entered as follows:

• Part Number: (Fuel Tank P/N or leave blank)

• Part Defect Code 62 "Foreign Debris"

• Group Number 1273 (group number for fuel tank)

By using these identifiers, claims analysts and parts return investigators will be able to address components upstream of the fuel filters and water separators causing the plug/restriction. Also, if fuel filters are at or near a 250 hr or 500 hrs service interval, Part Defect Code 57 "Plugged/Restricted" should not be used. If a SIMSi entry is submitted for fuel filter maintenance, Part Defect Code 49 should be used.