3116TA oil change

[margarita jane]

just finished oil change and need some input, please... noticed oil level on both engines are 1 inch above full mark, after putting in 25L of oil as specified by maual...and filters were filled(aprox.2L) prior to installation but engines not started yet.... am fairly sure all oil was pumped out as reverso pump started sucking air and as FW suggested poured qt. of new oil in and pumped out until pump sucked air again...It seems very high above top oil mark but can only compare to gas engines with side mount filter(dry) and would only be a couple hairs above full line.....just want to make sure before firing up or should I remove some oil to top mark? thanks for any toughts... Tom

 

[fwebster]

Yes, you should use the oil change pump and remove enough oil so that the oil level is no higher than the full mark on the dip stick.

Caterpillar specifies oil capacity based on new engines never previously filled with oil. In fact, that is how the dipsticks are marked on a Cat engine.........i.e. marked with a hand file after initial filling. It is virtually impossible to remove all the oil during an oil change, so you will never need the stated capacity in fresh oil when you service the engines.

 

[Warren]

Hi Tom: Let me preface by saying that I am not an expert and certainly would defer to FW or anyone else with his long experience. I can only say that you seem to have done everything right - BUT, for myself I refill the new oil to mid-way between full and low marks on the dipsticks once the new filters have been filled with oil.

That's where I left it at the end of last season and 75 hrs. later I didn't add any oil and the oil level didn't move.
Cheers,
Warren

 

[margarita jane]

Thanks for the info guys! Pumped out 4L from each engine to get oil level to top mark, then fired engines to leak check and and after a few minutes sitting both levels were midpoint between Hi an Lo marks, hopefully that should work OK.... Tom

 

[Dancin Dave]

I would bring them up to the top mark.
Are you having a lab analyze the oil?

 

[fwebster]

I guess I am anal about my engines, but I like to keep up with oil consumption. For that reason, I do what you have done........put in the oil, crank the engines and see where the oil level settles. Then I add enough oil to end up at the top mark on the dipstick so I can see if the level moves any. So far, after about 1000 hours, my engines have yet to use any oil.