3054, 3054B and 3056 Marine Engines Caterpillar

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To prevent possible injury, do not use the starter to turn the flywheel. Hot engine components can cause burns. Allow additional time for the engine to cool before measuring valve clearance.

If the valve lash requires adjustment several times in a short period of time, excessive wear exists in a different part of the engine. Find the problem and make necessary repairs in order to prevent more damage to the engine.

Not enough valve lash can be the cause of rapid wear of the camshaft and valve lifters. Not enough valve lash can indicate that the seats for the valves are worn.

Valves become worn due to the following causes:

• Fuel injection nozzles that operate incorrectly

• Excessive dirt and oil are present on the filters for the inlet air.

• Incorrect fuel settings on the fuel injection pump.

• The load capacity of the engine is frequently exceeded.

Too much valve lash can cause broken valve stems, springs, and spring retainers. Too much valve lash can be an indication of the following problems:

• Worn camshaft and valve lifters

• Worn rocker arms

• Bent pushrods

• Broken socket on the upper end of a pushrod

• Loose adjustment screw for the valve lash

If the camshaft and valve lifters show rapid wear, look for fuel in the lubrication oil or dirty lubrication oil as a possible cause.

Valve Lash Check

An adjustment is NOT NECESSARY if the measurement of the valve lash is in the acceptable range. Check the valve lash while the engine is stopped. The temperature of the engine does not change the valve lash setting.

Valve Lash Setting

Inlet valve ... 0.20 mm (0.008 inch)

Exhaust valve ... 0.45 mm (0.018 inch)

If the measurement is not within the acceptable clearance, adjustment is necessary. Refer to "Valve Lash Adjustment".

Valve Lash Adjustment

3054 and 3054B Engine

Illustration 1	g00774292
Cylinder and valve location (A) Exhaust valves (B) Inlet valves (C) Flywheel end of the engine (D) Front end of the engine

Note: The No. 1 cylinder is at the front of the engine.

Illustration 2	g00323903
Setting the valve lash (1) Adjustment screw (2) Feeler gauge

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Accidental engine starting can cause injury or death to personnel. To prevent accidental engine starting, turn the ignition switch to the OFF position, place a do not operate tag at the ignition switch location and disconnect and tape the electrical connection to the stop solenoid that is located on the fuel injection pump.

Remove the valve mechanism cover and perform the following procedure in order to adjust the valve lash:

1. Set the top center position for No. 1 piston on the compression stroke. Before adjustments are made, lightly tap each rocker arm at the top of the adjustment screw. Use a soft mallet to ensure that the lifter seats against the camshaft's base circle.

2. Measure the valve lash for the inlet and exhaust valves on the No. 1 cylinder. If necessary, make an adjustment to the valve lash on the inlet and the exhaust valves for the No. 1 cylinder.

   1. Loosen the valve adjustment screw locknut that is on the adjustment screw (1).

   2. Place the appropriate feeler gauge (2) between the rocker arm and the valve. Turn the adjustment screw (1) while the valve adjustment screw locknut is being held from turning. Adjust the valve lash until the correct specification is achieved.

   3. After each adjustment, tighten the valve adjustment screw locknut while the valve adjustment screw (1) is being held from turning.

3. Turn the crankshaft for 180 degrees in the direction of the normal engine rotation. Measure the valve lash of the inlet valve and the exhaust valve of No. 3 cylinder. If necessary, make an adjustment to the inlet valve and the exhaust valve on No. 3 cylinder.

   1. Loosen the valve adjustment screw locknut that is on the adjustment screw (1).

   2. Place the appropriate feeler gauge (2) between the rocker arm and the valve. Turn the adjustment screw (1) while the valve adjustment screw locknut is being held from turning. Adjust the valve lash until the correct specification is achieved.

   3. After each adjustment, tighten the valve adjustment screw locknut while the valve adjustment screw (1) is being held from turning.

4. Turn the crankshaft for 180 degrees in the direction of the normal engine rotation. Measure the valve lash of the inlet valve and the exhaust valve of No. 4 cylinder. If necessary, make an adjustment to the inlet valve and the exhaust valve on No. 4 cylinder.

   1. Loosen the valve adjustment screw locknut that is on the adjustment screw (1).

   2. Place the appropriate feeler gauge (2) between the rocker arm and the valve. Turn the adjustment screw (1) while the valve adjustment screw locknut is being held from turning. Adjust the valve lash until the correct specification is achieved.

   3. After each adjustment, tighten the valve adjustment screw locknut while the valve adjustment screw (1) is being held from turning.

5. Turn the crankshaft for 180 degrees in the direction of the normal engine rotation. Measure the valve lash of the inlet valve and the exhaust valve of No. 2 cylinder. If necessary, make an adjustment to the inlet valve and the exhaust valve on No. 2 cylinder.

   1. Loosen the valve adjustment screw locknut that is on the adjustment screw (1).

   2. Place the appropriate feeler gauge (2) between the rocker arm and the valve. Turn the adjustment screw (1) while the valve adjustment screw locknut is being held from turning. Adjust the valve lash until the correct specification is achieved.

   3. After each adjustment, tighten the valve adjustment screw locknut while the valve adjustment screw (1) is being held from turning.

3056 Engine

Illustration 3	g00761562
Cylinder and valve location (A) Exhaust valves (B) Inlet valves (C) Flywheel end of the engine (D) Front end of the engine

Note: The No. 1 cylinder is at the front of the engine.

Illustration 4	g00323903
Setting the valve lash (1) Adjustment screw (2) Feeler gauge

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Accidental engine starting can cause injury or death to personnel. To prevent accidental engine starting, turn the ignition switch to the OFF position, place a do not operate tag at the ignition switch location and disconnect and tape the electrical connection to the stop solenoid that is located on the fuel injection pump.

Remove the valve mechanism cover and perform the following procedure in order to adjust the valve lash:

1. Set the top center position for No. 1 piston on the compression stroke. Before adjustments are made, lightly tap each rocker arm at the top of the adjustment screw. Use a soft mallet to ensure that the lifter seats against the camshaft's base circle.

2. Measure the valve lash for the inlet and exhaust valves on the No. 1 cylinder. If necessary, make an adjustment to the valve lash on the inlet and the exhaust valves for the No. 1 cylinder.

   1. Loosen the valve adjustment screw locknut that is on the adjustment screw (1).

   2. Place the appropriate feeler gauge (2) between the rocker arm and the valve. Turn the adjustment screw (1) while the valve adjustment screw locknut is being held from turning. Adjust the valve lash until the correct specification is achieved.

   3. After each adjustment, tighten the valve adjustment screw locknut while the valve adjustment screw (1) is being held from turning.

3. Turn the crankshaft for 180 degrees in the direction of the normal engine rotation. Measure the valve lash of the inlet valve and the exhaust valve of No. 5 cylinder. If necessary, make an adjustment to the inlet valve and the exhaust valve on No. 5 cylinder.

   1. Loosen the valve adjustment screw locknut that is on the adjustment screw (1).

   2. Place the appropriate feeler gauge (2) between the rocker arm and the valve. Turn the adjustment screw (1) while the valve adjustment screw locknut is being held from turning. Adjust the valve lash until the correct specification is achieved.

   3. After each adjustment, tighten the valve adjustment screw locknut while the valve adjustment screw (1) is being held from turning.

4. Turn the crankshaft for 180 degrees in the direction of the normal engine rotation. Measure the valve lash of the inlet valve and the exhaust valve of No. 3 cylinder. If necessary, make an adjustment to the inlet valve and the exhaust valve on No. 3 cylinder.

   1. Loosen the valve adjustment screw locknut that is on the adjustment screw (1).

   2. Place the appropriate feeler gauge (2) between the rocker arm and the valve. Turn the adjustment screw (1) while the valve adjustment screw locknut is being held from turning. Adjust the valve lash until the correct specification is achieved.

   3. After each adjustment, tighten the valve adjustment screw locknut while the valve adjustment screw (1) is being held from turning.

5. Turn the crankshaft for 180 degrees in the direction of the normal engine rotation. Measure the valve lash of the inlet valve and the exhaust valve of No. 6 cylinder. If necessary, make an adjustment to the inlet valve and the exhaust valve on No. 6 cylinder.

   1. Loosen the valve adjustment screw locknut that is on the adjustment screw (1).

   2. Place the appropriate feeler gauge (2) between the rocker arm and the valve. Turn the adjustment screw (1) while the valve adjustment screw locknut is being held from turning. Adjust the valve lash until the correct specification is achieved.

   3. After each adjustment, tighten the valve adjustment screw locknut while the valve adjustment screw (1) is being held from turning.

6. Turn the crankshaft for 180 degrees in the direction of the normal engine rotation. Measure the valve lash of the inlet valve and the exhaust valve of No. 2 cylinder. If necessary, make an adjustment to the inlet valve and the exhaust valve on No. 2 cylinder.

   1. Loosen the valve adjustment screw locknut that is on the adjustment screw (1).

   2. Place the appropriate feeler gauge (2) between the rocker arm and the valve. Turn the adjustment screw (1) while the valve adjustment screw locknut is being held from turning. Adjust the valve lash until the correct specification is achieved.

   3. After each adjustment, tighten the valve adjustment screw locknut while the valve adjustment screw (1) is being held from turning.

7. Turn the crankshaft for 180 degrees in the direction of the normal engine rotation. Measure the valve lash of the inlet valve and the exhaust valve of No. 4 cylinder. If necessary, make an adjustment to the inlet valve and the exhaust valve on No. 4 cylinder.

   1. Loosen the valve adjustment screw locknut that is on the adjustment screw (1).

   2. Place the appropriate feeler gauge (2) between the rocker arm and the valve. Turn the adjustment screw (1) while the valve adjustment screw locknut is being held from turning. Adjust the valve lash until the correct specification is achieved.

   3. After each adjustment, tighten the valve adjustment screw locknut while the valve adjustment screw (1) is being held from turning.