3Com Caterpillar Commercial Diesel Engine SEBU6251-06 - Manual (Page 19)

19
Maintenance Section
Fuel Specifications
(Table 7, contd)
Caterpillar Specifications for Distillate Diesel Fuel
Specifications Requirements ASTM
Test
30 minimum
API Gravity
45 maximum
“D287”
Pour Point
6

C (10

F) minimum
below ambient
temperature
“D97”
Sulfur (1)
3% maximum “D3605”
or
“D1552”
Kinematic
Viscosity
(2)
1.4 cSt minimum and 20.0
cSt maximum at 40

C
(104

F)
“D445”
Water and
Sediment 0.1% maximum “D1796”
Water 0.1% maximum “D1744”
Sediment 0.05% maximum (weight) “D473”
Gums and
Resins
(3)
10 mg per 100 mL
maximum “D381”
3100 g minimum “D6708”
0.45 mm (0.018 inch)
maximum at 60

C (140

F) Lubricity (4)
0.38 mm (0.015 inch)
maximum at 25

C (77

F)
“D6079”
(1) Caterpillar fuel systems and engine components can
operate on high sulfur fuels. Fuel sulfur levels affect exhaust
emissions. High sulfur fuels also increase the potential for
corrosion of internal components. Fuel sulfur levels above 1.0
percent may significantly shorten the oil change interval. For
additional information, see this publication, “Engine Oil” topic
(Maintenance Section).
(2) The values of the fuel viscosity are the values as the fuel
is delivered to the fuel injection pumps. If a fuel with a low
viscosity is used, cooling of the fuel may be required to maintain
a 1.4 cSt viscosity at the fuel injection pump. Fuels with a high
viscosity might require fuel heaters in order to bring down the
viscosity to a 20 cSt viscosity. For additional information, see
Special Publication, SEBD0717, “Diesel Fuel and Your Engine”.
(3) Follow the test conditions and procedures for gasoline (motor).
(4) The lubricity of a fuel is a concern with low sulfur fuel. To
determine the lubricity of the fuel, use either the “ASTM D6708
Scuffing Load Wear Test (SBOCLE)” or the “ASTM D6079 High
Frequency Reciprocating Rig (HFRR)” test. If the lubricity of a
fuel does not meet the minimum requirements, consult your
fuel supplier. Do not treat the fuel without consulting the fuel
supplier. Some additives are not compatible. These additives
can cause problems in the fuel system.
NOTICE
Operating with fuels that do not meet Caterpillar’s rec-
ommendations can cause the following effects: start-
ing difficulty, poor combustion, deposits in the fuel in-
jectors, reduced service life of the fuel system, de-
posits in the combustion chamber, and reduced ser-
vice life of the engine.
In the USA, 0.05 percent diesel fuels have been
used in all on-highway truck engines since 1
January 1994. This low sulfur diesel fuel was
mandated as a means of directly reducing
particulate emissions from diesel truck engines.
This low sulfur fuel will also be used in Caterpillar
commercial diesel engines when low emissions are
required or when the fuel supply sources provide
this type of fuel. Caterpillar has not seen any
detrimental effects with 0.05 percent sulfur fuel in
Caterpillar diesel engines.
NOTICE
Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO), Residual fuel, or Blended fuel
must NOT be used in Caterpillar diesel engines (ex-
cept in 3600 Series HFO engines). Severe component
wear and component failures will result if HFO type fu-
els are used in engines that are configured to use dis-
tillate fuel.
In extreme cold ambient conditions, you may
use the distillate fuels that are specified in Table
8. However, the fuel that is selected must meet
the requirements that are specified in Table 7.
These fuels are intended to be used in operating
temperatures that are down to
−
54

C (
−
65

F).
Table 8
Distillate Fuels (1)
Specification Grade
“MIL-T-5624R” JP-5
“ASTM D1655” Jet-A-1
“MIL-T-83133D” JP-8
(1) The fuels that are listed in this Table may not meet the
requirements that are specified in the “Caterpillar Specifications
for Distillate Diesel Fuel” Table. Consult the supplier for the
recommended additives in order to maintain the proper fuel
lubricity.
These fuels are lighter than the No. 2 grades of fuel.
The cetane number of the fuels in Table 8 must be
at least 40. If the viscosity is below 1.4 cSt at 38

C
(100

F), use the fuel only in temperatures below
0

C (32

F). Do not use any fuels with a viscosity
of less than 1.2 cSt at 38

C (100

F). Fuel cooling
may be required in order to maintain the minimum
viscosity of 1.4 cSt at the fuel injection pump.
There are many other diesel fuel specifications that
are published by governments and by technological
societies. Usually, those specifications do not
review all the requirements that are addressed
in this specification. To ensure optimum engine
performance, a complete fuel analysis should be
obtained before engine operation. The fuel analysis
should include all of the properties that are listed
in Table 7.