- Oct 6, 2006
- 12,150
- Boat Info
- 1996 450DA
- Engines
- 3116 Caterpillars
Last week I took several oil samples by the Caterpillar store in Nashville TN. as I use Cat's SOS program for all of my oil samples. I happened to run to run into a Fluids Specialist in their fluids lab and asked about the current lube oil recommendation for the 3100 series marine engines. Here is what I learned:
Yes, SAEO originally formulated for the 3100 series marine engines because of after cooler fouling has been discontinued. The newest Fluids Recommendation publication SEBU6250-29 shows that SAEO may still be available for certain special applications like low speed generators, but marine engines are not in that list.
Cat has done extensive testing and now say that the additives currently used in multi-viscosity diesel oils are much improved and no longer pose an after cooler fouling risk for 3116's or 3126's.
Catetrpillar's current recommendation is to use Cat DEO (diesel engine oil) multiviscosity oil in the appropriate viscosity for your location but for most of us that will be 15W-40. Exxon Mobile is apparently Cat's supplier and they say you can order DEO from Exxon-Mobile: however, this comes from a Caterpillar internal dealer's IRM (Information Release Memo, # IRM: PELJ2736) so ordering DEO from Exxon-Mobile may be directed towards Cat dealers and not end users.
Caterpillar regularly updates their Fluid Recommendation publication # SEBU6250 but it lags the actual changes because it is a long document covering their whole product line that must be re-written. SEBU6250-28, is the last one I can find online and it isn't current with respect to 3116/3126 marine engines. The Fluids guy in Nashville had a copy of SEBU6250-29 and it had the above changes in it.
Caterpillar does not speak for Shell Oil but the guys at the Cat store in Nashville have a lot of customers who are having problems sourcing Rotella T-1 single viscosity lubricants. They say the problem is that Shell cannot get the additives required to produce SAE 30, SAE40, etc. and it may be an extended period of time before they are plentiful at reasonable prices in the retail market again.
So, …...relax. Caterpillar now approves multi-viscosity oils for 3116's and 3126's and we can get 15W-40 in both synthetic and non-synthetic lube oil from any number of sources.
Yes, SAEO originally formulated for the 3100 series marine engines because of after cooler fouling has been discontinued. The newest Fluids Recommendation publication SEBU6250-29 shows that SAEO may still be available for certain special applications like low speed generators, but marine engines are not in that list.
Cat has done extensive testing and now say that the additives currently used in multi-viscosity diesel oils are much improved and no longer pose an after cooler fouling risk for 3116's or 3126's.
Catetrpillar's current recommendation is to use Cat DEO (diesel engine oil) multiviscosity oil in the appropriate viscosity for your location but for most of us that will be 15W-40. Exxon Mobile is apparently Cat's supplier and they say you can order DEO from Exxon-Mobile: however, this comes from a Caterpillar internal dealer's IRM (Information Release Memo, # IRM: PELJ2736) so ordering DEO from Exxon-Mobile may be directed towards Cat dealers and not end users.
Caterpillar regularly updates their Fluid Recommendation publication # SEBU6250 but it lags the actual changes because it is a long document covering their whole product line that must be re-written. SEBU6250-28, is the last one I can find online and it isn't current with respect to 3116/3126 marine engines. The Fluids guy in Nashville had a copy of SEBU6250-29 and it had the above changes in it.
Caterpillar does not speak for Shell Oil but the guys at the Cat store in Nashville have a lot of customers who are having problems sourcing Rotella T-1 single viscosity lubricants. They say the problem is that Shell cannot get the additives required to produce SAE 30, SAE40, etc. and it may be an extended period of time before they are plentiful at reasonable prices in the retail market again.
So, …...relax. Caterpillar now approves multi-viscosity oils for 3116's and 3126's and we can get 15W-40 in both synthetic and non-synthetic lube oil from any number of sources.