CAT 3116 Oil Viscosity

[Carver370]

I have been doing a lot of reading on the proper oil to put in my 3116 Cats, I am unclear on exactly what oil I should be using for the Great Lakes region.

2000 400 Sundancer with 350 HP 3116's. The prior owner used 15W40 but I know from prior experience that a straight 30 or 40WT should be used.

I want to change the oil to either the CAT SAEO or Rotella T1 straight 30 or 40. My question is, for the Great Lakes region, should I use 30 or 40? Temps in the spring can be in the 30's easily although not used often in that temp.

 

[NotHerDecision]

Sounds like you know more then you give yourself credit for! You want to use the CAT 30 weight. Multi viscosity oil causes issues In the Cat aftercoolers. I believe the cat oil was specifically engineered with an additive for the 31 series diesels. Frank will most likely give you the details of that here shortly.

 

[Avenger]

Ray,
I am running Rotella straight 30 in my 3116's. I'm running in the same water and climate as you are.

 

[fwebster]

You are on the right path. The only no-no for 3100 series engines is don't use multi viscosity oil. Cat has found that the lubricity enhancers in multi viscosity oils will cause deposits in the after coolers and eventually restrict the intake air flow. I run only Rotella T1 SAE 40, but I'm on the Gulf coast. I suspect SAE 30 is what you need as far north was you are......SAE 40 will work, but you will probably experience hard starting in the colder months.

Cat has recommended SAEO but even the largest dealers, even regional distributors don't stock it and I asked my local dealer if he could order me some and the answer was "it only comes in pallet sized quantities.

I'm in Florida and most of my files are in a back up hard drive in Tennessee but Cat has changed the lube oil recommendations a number of times, but you might search for this Cat Publication :

# SEBU6251-12,"Caterpillar Commercial Diesel Fluid Recommendations"

I took thew time to dig out the specific oil specs on SAEO and Rotella T! SAE 30 and SAE 40 have almost the same specs. One more point worth mentioning, I've never run anything in my 3116's other than T1 SAE 40 and my oil sample results comeback looking like a zerox of the first one I did in 1997.

Hope that helps.........

 

[carterchapman]

I used Rotella T1 - 40 in my 3126's in Chattanooga. I had pan heaters on in the winter...

 

[Carver370]

Fantastic! Thank you for the information gentlemen!