COVER 9T3375 - Caterpillar

Inspect The Used Oil Filter Elements
Cut the used oil filter element open with a utility knife. Remove the metal wrap. Cut the filter element free from the end caps. Spread apart the pleats and inspect the element for metal debris. An excessive amount of debris in the element may indicate early wear or a pending failure.Use a magnet to differentiate between the ferrous metals and the nonferrous metals that are found in the element. Ferrous metals may indicate wear on the steel and the cast iron parts of the engine. Nonferrous metals may indicate wear on the aluminum parts, the brass parts, or the bronze parts of the engine. Parts that may be affected include the following components: main bearings, rod bearings, turbocharger bearings and cylinder heads.Aluminum debris may also indicate problems with the bearings of the front gears. If aluminum debris are found, inspect the bearings of the front idler gears.Due to normal wear and friction, it is not uncommon to find small amounts of debris in the oil filter element. If an excessive amount of debris is found in the oil filter element, consult your Caterpillar dealer in order to arrange for further oil analysis.Similar information can be obtained by inspecting the contents of the suction screen when the oil is changed.Check The Backlash Of The Front Idler Gears
At each Top End Overhaul, check the backlash between the front idler gears and the crankshaft gear. Whenever water pump maintenance is performed, check the backlash between the front idler gears and the crankshaft gear. See the applicable Disassembly And Assembly Manual for the correct procedure to measure the backlash of the front idler gears. If the backlash is not within the specifications, check the following components: teeth on the idler gears, teeth on the crankshaft gear, idler gear shaft and idler gear bearing.