3304 AND 3306 MARINE ENGINES Caterpillar

General Information

These instructions give procedures and recommendations that will keep the possibility of damage at a minimum when engines are in storage for one year or less.

After one year, the complete protection procedure must be followed again if the engine is kept in storage.

The best protection for outside parts of the engine is by thorough use of paint. Paint is a good protection for a period storage of up to two years. Thoroughly clean the engine and repaint areas that have paint damage with a good quality paint.

If an engine is not used, oil can run off the cylinder walls, piston rings, main bearings, connecting rod bearings, crankshaft, gears and other parts that normally get lubrication. This lack of lubricant lets corrosion start on the metal, especially in areas of high humidity (water content of the air).

When the engine is started again, before these surfaces get oil, the metal-to-metal contact will cause wear. To keep this wear at a minimum, use the starter to turn the engine with throttle in fuel OFF position until oil pressure is shown on the pressure gauge.

Use an air compressor with a sprayer attachment to spray external engine parts with a mixture of 50% VCI oil and 50% engine oil to prepare the engine for storage. It should be possible to change the nozzle adjustment to give either spray or fog. The fog adjustment is better if access to components is difficult. The spray is better for parts on the outside.

Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor (VCI) (NOX-RUST VCI #10 oil or equivalent) oil gives both liquid and vapor protection of ferrous metal surfaces against corrosion caused by moisture. In a closed compartment, protection is either by direct contact with VCI oil or by contact with the VCI vapors. See your local supplier for a similar type oil. Additional information as to ordering and use of NOX-RUST VCI #10 and NOX-RUST 1031B rust preventive and a list of suppliers outside the U.S.A. are available from:

NOTE: Attach a "DO NOT OPERATE" tag on the start switch, start button or air start knob, before servicing the engine. These tags, Form SEHS7332, are available from your Caterpillar dealer.

Storage Procedure

1. Clean the outside of the engine and repaint areas that have paint damage with a good quality paint.

2. Remove the batteries and use them in some other place or put them in storage where they can be checked and electrically charged again when needed. If the batteries are not removed, wash the tops. Put an electrical charge to the battery to a specific gravity of 1.275. Disconnect the battery terminals. Put a plastic cover over the battery.

3. Loosen all fan, alternator belts, etc. Attach a tag to indicate what work has been done.

4. Put a waterproof cover over engines with enclosures stored outdoors. Make the cover tight, but loose enough to allow air to circulate around the engine to prevent damage to exposed metal parts from condensation.

NOTE: Remove the waterproof cover every two or three months and check the engine for corrosion. If the engine has signs of corrosion at the check period, follow the protection procedure again. To operate the engine, it is not necessary to remove the preservative oil mixture. If a compartment under protection of VCI vapors is opened, put more VCI mixture in to make up for the vapor loss.

NOTE: Install all covers and/or put tape over all openings, air intake, exhaust openings, flywheel housing, crankcase breathers, dipstick tubes, etc. Make sure all covers are air tight and weatherproof. Use a waterproof, weather resistant tape.

5. Put lubricant on all points given in the Lubrication and Maintenance Chart.

6. Put a heavy amount of multipurpose grease on all outside parts that move; rod threads, ball joints, linkage, etc.

7. Oil and oil filter elements used less than 50 hours in the engine do not need to be changed. (Otherwise, change the oil, filling the engine to the "add oil" mark on the dipstick.) Add 3% to 4% of VCI oil per engine volume. If the engine is drained, install a mixture of 50% VCI oil and 50% engine oil in the crankcase and in all lubricating oil compartments at the rate of one part VCI oil mixture per fifteen parts of compartment capacity at full level. If possible, operate the engine three to five minutes. Put tape over all openings to seal VCI vapors in the engine.

NOTE: If necessary, drain some lubricant to add to the mixture.

8. Remove any dirt from the air cleaner. Check all seals and gaskets.

9. Remove the air filter elements. Turn the engine at cranking speed with throttle control in fuel OFF position, remove pressure plug for boost pressure and use a sprayer to add a mixture of 50% VCI oil and 50% engine oil. Minimum application rate is 5.5 milliliters per liter (3 oz. per 1000 cubic inches) of engine displacement.

10. Fill the oil reservoir for the air starter with a mixture of 50% VCI oil and 50% engine oil.

11. Use a sprayer to put a mixture of 50% VCI oil and 50% engine oil into the exhaust openings. Minimum application rate is 5.5 milliliters per liter (3 oz. per 1000 cubic inches) of engine displacement.

12. Also, use a sprayer to apply a mixture of 50% VCI oil and 50% engine oil on the flywheel, ring gear teeth and starter pinion. Install the covers to keep the vapors in.

13. Remove the fuel nozzles and install 30 milliliters (1 oz) of 50% VCI oil and 50% engine oil in each cylinder. Test (using calibrating oil) then install fuel nozzles and tighten all fittings to the correct torque. Use an engine turning tool to turn the engine over slowly two complete revolutions in the direction of normal rotation, to put oil on the cylinder walls.

14. Remove the fuel from the secondary fuel filter housing or change the spin-on fuel filter element to get out any dirt and water. Clean the primary fuel filter, fill with calibration oil and operate the priming pump. This will get clean oil to the secondary fuel filter and engine, and help to prevent "sticky" fuel pump nozzles during extended storage.

Calibration oil is available from your Caterpillar dealer in two sizes, 208 liters (55 gallons) or 19 liters (5 gallons). Open the fuel tank drain valve and remove any water or dirt from the inside of the fuel tank.

The fuel must be treated with a Biocide, which prevents bacteria and fungi from contaminating diesel fuel that contains some water. Microbial contamination can cause severe fuel system blockage, filter plugging, fuel pump sticking and corrosion.

Additional information as to ordering and use of diesel fuel Biocide and a list of suppliers outside the U.S.A. are available from:

Methyl Cellosolve will help assimilate water in the fuel and prevent freezing problems. Fill the fuel tank with the treated fuel.

Seal all openings to the tank to prevent evaporation of the fuel.

15. Withdraw a sample of coolant and check it for clarity (rust) and freezing point. If it contains suspended particles or does not provide freeze protection to at least -23°C (-10°F), the coolant should be drained. Completely drain the cooling system, if needed. The cooling system must be thoroughly flushed and chemically cleaned.

16. Refill the cooling system with a coolant solution that is 50% water and 50% ethylene glycol. Install a new precharge coolant conditioner element (if equipped with coolant conditioner elements). A 3% to 6% concentration of coolant conditioner does not have to be added, if the cooling system is filled with coolant solution to the top of the filler neck. Attach a tag indicating what has been done.

NOTE: Do not use coolant conditioner elements or liquid coolant conditioner with Dowtherm 209 Full-Fill coolant.

Procedure for Operation After Storage

1. Remove all outside protective covers, and any tape or grease used for protection.

2. Drain the VCI oil and engine oil mixture from the engine, if the oil has been in the engine for more than one year, or if the engine was left drained before adding the VCI mixture. If storage was short term, the engine can be operated with a 3% to 4% VCI mixture in the engine.

3. Tighten the fan and alternator belts. Connect the batteries, check the oil and the coolant level.

4. Use an engine turning tool to turn the engine two complete revolutions in the direction of normal rotation, to make sure there are not hydraulic locks or resistance.

5. Before starting the engine, remove the valve cover or covers and put a large amount of engine oil on the valve mechanism to prevent damage to the valves.

6. To get immediate lubrication and prevent damage to the engine in the first seconds after starting, it is necessary to pressure lubricate the engine. (See "Procedure for Pressure Lubrication" which follows.) Prime the engine with clean diesel fuel before starting.

7. Crank engine with fuel off until oil pressure is observed.

8. On the first day of operation, check the complete engine several times for leaks and correct operation.

9. See Form SEBU5898, Cold Weather Operation Guide, if the engine is removed from storage in temperatures less than -23°C (-10°F).

10. After start-up, add cooling system conditioner as needed.

Pressure Lubrication Introduction

It is very important for an engine to have adequate (needed) lubrication during the first seconds of operation. A dry start (without needed lubrication) of an engine can cause bearing damage. An engine generally has enough oil on the parts for lubrication during engine start-up.

However, this lubrication may not be enough or may be lost if the engine has been in storage for any length of time. To prevent the possibility of a dry start and bearing damage during the first seconds of operation, pressure lubrication of the engine is necessary (fill the main oil passages with oil under pressure).

An optional prelube pump or manual sump pump are available on some engines. When this pump is installed, the crankcase can be filled with the correct quantity of oil. Then the prelube pump will send oil to all parts of the engine so it will have enough lubrication before starting.

Procedure for Pressure Lubrication

1. Connect the oil supply to the main oil passage of the engine.

2. Fill the crankcase with the correct oil. The amount of oil used in the pressure lubrication procedure must be subtracted from the Refill Capacity Chart given in the Operation and Maintenance Guide.

NOTE: Use a minimum of 30% of the engine oil capacity. It may be necessary to fill the tank several times.

Initial Operation After Engine Storage

1. Following engine storage, only an operational check at the first start is necessary before operation.

2. The purpose of this first operational check is to be sure that the pressures and temperatures in the cooling, fuel and lubrication systems are correct, and any leaks are corrected.

3. To be sure of a safe, uniform check at first operation, use the following procedure:

a. Turn the engine at cranking speed with the throttle in fuel OFF position until oil pressure is present.

b. Operate the engine for 5 minutes at low idle speed until the coolant temperature is 66°C (150°F) or higher.