3116 and 3126 HEUI Truck Engines Engine Oil and Oil Filter – Change

(1) Shallow oil sump.

(2) Deep oil sump.

The scheduled oil change interval depends on the size of the oil sump. For the scheduled oil change interval, refer to “Maintenance Schedule – Engines with Shallow Oil Sump” or refer to “Maintenance Schedule – Engines with a Deep Oil Sump”.

Do not drain the oil when the engine is cold. As oil cools, suspended waste particles settle on the bottom of the crankcase or oil pan. The waste particles are not removed with the draining cold oil. Drain the crankcase with the engine stopped and the oil warm. This allows for the draining of the waste particles that are suspended in the oil.

Failure to follow this recommended procedure would result in these waste particles being recirculated through your engine lubrication system with the new oil.

After the engine has been operating at normal operating temperature, stop the engine. Attach a DO NOT OPERATE or a similar warning tag to the ignition key switch. Catch the oil in a suitable container. Have the used oil recycled, or dispose of the used oil properly.

1. Remove the oil drain plug. Allow the oil to drain.

2. Clean the oil drain plug. Install the oil drain plug. Tighten the oil drain plug to 25 ± 5 N·m (18 ± 4 lb ft).

Replace Oil Filter

NOTE: Change the oil filter at every oil change. Make sure to use the correct Caterpillar oil filter for your engine arrangement.

1. Remove the oil filter with a 1U-8760 Chain Wrench.

Element with debris.

Cut the oil filter case open with a 4C-5084 Oil Filter Cutter. Inspect the exposed oil filter element. Spread the oil filter element pleats apart and inspect the oil filter element for metal debris. Due to normal wear and friction, it is not uncommon to find small amounts of debris in the oil filter element. If an excessive amount of debris is present, consult your Caterpillar dealer to arrange for further analysis.

Typical oil filter mounting base and gasket.

2. Clean the sealing surface of the oil filter mounting base. Ensure that all of the old gasket is removed.

3. Apply clean engine oil to the new oil filter gasket.
4. Install the new oil filter until the gasket contacts the oil filter mounting base. Tighten the oil filter 3/4 of a turn (270 degrees) more by hand. Do not overtighten.

Fill Crankcase

NOTE: Refer to Lubricant Specifications, Lubricant Viscosities and Refill Capacities for the proper oil and quantity to use.
1. Remove the oil filler cap. Fill the crankcase with the proper amount of new oil. Clean the oil filler cap. Install the oil filler cap.
2. Start the engine. Operate the engine long enough to ensure that the lubrication system (including auxiliary filters, etc) has oil and that the oil filter(s) are filled. Inspect for oil leaks.

3. Stop the engine and allow the oil to drain back to the sump for a minimum of ten minutes. Check the oil level. Maintain the oil level to the FULL mark on the ENGINE STOPPED side of the oil level gauge.

Oil Change Intervals

There are many circumstances when the proper conditions exist that may allow adjustment to the normal oil change interval. Many conditions exist that can affect the selection of an optimum oil change interval. The fundamental requirement in this decision must be to maintain the lubrication oil in an acceptable condition that provides continual engine protection. The quality of oil and amount of oil available is balanced against the oil’s ability to absorb combustion by-products.

Due to manufacturing tolerances, engine application, and maintenance variations, all engines do not consume fuel and oil at the same rate. The amount of fuel consumed is in direct relation to the maximum oil change interval selected. It is essential to include an S·O·S Oil Analysis before an oil change interval adjustment is considered. For more information on extending oil change intervals, consult your Caterpillar dealer.

If no S·O·S Oil Analysis results are available, the Oil Change Interval Graph can be used to determine oil change intervals.

Graph Instructions:

1. Determine the engine’s oil capacity. This includes the oil sump capacity and the oil filter(s) capacity. Engines that have less oil capacity require more frequent oil changes than engines with more oil capacity.

2. Determine the level of sulfur that is in the fuel. Engines that use fuels with higher fuel sulfur levels require more frequent oil changes than engines that use fuel with lower fuel sulfur levels. The graph line numbers (1) and (2), described in the caption below the graph, define the oil change interval.

3. Locate the engine’s oil capacity on the Y axis. Follow the horizontal line to the intersection with line (1) or (2). The engine’s oil change interval is found directly below the intersection, on the X axis.

Example: An oil capacity of 31 L (33 qt) was determined, along with fuel with 0.5 percent sulfur. The oil change interval is approximately every 8855 km (5500 mi) or 220 Service Hours. The same engine, if using fuel with less than 0.5 percent sulfur, has an oil change interval at every 16 100 km (10,000 miles) or 420 Service Hours.

Oil Change Interval Graph

(Y) Oil sump and oil filter(s) capacity in liters (quarts).

(X) Distance, time, or fuel consumed between oil changes.

(1) CG-4 or CF-4 oils used with 0.5 to 1.0 percent fuel sulfur.

(2) CG-4/CF-4 oils used with fuel sulfur of less than 0.5 percent.

(3) Kilometers (miles) between oil changes.

(4) Service hours between oil changes.

(5) Liters (US gal) of fuel consumed between oil changes.