Distillate Diesel Fuel
Diesel fuels that meet the specifications in Table 1 will help to provide maximum engine service life and performance. In North America, diesel fuel that is identified as No. 1-D or No. 2-D in "ASTM D975" generally meet the specifications. Table 1 is for diesel fuels that are distilled from crude oil. Diesel fuels from other sources could exhibit detrimental properties that are not defined or controlled by this specification.
Engines that operate in California with the serial number (S/N: DPF) must use ultra low sulfur diesel fuel. This diesel fuel contains 0.0015 percent sulfur or less. The diesel particulate filter must be operated with 15 ppm sulfur fuel. Operating with fuel that contains more than 15 ppm sulfur will damage the diesel particulate filter. The warranty on the diesel particulate filter will be voided if lube oil is added to the diesel fuel.
| Caterpillar Specifications for Distillate Diesel Fuel | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Specifications | Requirements | ASTM Test | |
| Aromatics | 35% maximum | "D1319" | |
| Ash | 0.02% maximum (weight) | "D482" | |
| Carbon Residue on 10% Bottoms | 0.35% maximum (weight) | "D524" | |
| Cetane Number | 40 minimum (DI engines) | "D613" | |
| 35 minimum (PC engines) | |||
| Cloud Point | The cloud point must not exceed the lowest expected ambient temperature. | - | |
| Copper Strip Corrosion | No. 3 maximum | "D130" | |
| Distillation | 10% at 282 °C (540 °F) maximum |
"D86" | |
| 90% at 360 °C (680 °F) maximum |
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| Flash Point | legal limit | "D93" | |
| API Gravity | 30 minimum | "D287" | |
| 45 maximum | |||
| 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" | |
| Lubricity (4) | 3100 g minimum | "D6078" | |
0.45 mm (0.018 inch) maximum at 60 °C (140 °F) |
"D6079" | ||
0.38 mm (0.015 inch) maximum at 25 °C (77 °F) |
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| ( 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 D6078 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. |
There are many other diesel fuel specifications that are published by governments and by technological societies. Usually, these other diesel fuel specifications do not contain all of the parameters that are addressed by Caterpillar. To achieve optimum engine performance, obtain a complete analysis of the fuel before the engine is operated. The fuel analysis must cover all of the properties that are listed in Table 1.
| NOTICE |
|---|
Operating with fuels that do not meet Caterpillar's recommendations can cause the following effects: starting difficulty, poor combustion, deposits in the fuel injectors, reduced service life of the fuel system, deposits in the combustion chamber and reduced service life of the engine. |
In the USA, 0.05 percent sulfur diesel fuels have been used in all on-highway truck engines since 1January 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 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 |
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Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO), Residual fuel, or Blended fuel must NOT be used in Caterpillar diesel engines (except in 3600 Series HFO engines). Severe component wear and component failures will result if HFO type fuels are used in engines that are configured to use distillate fuel. |