OPTION AR-REGIONAL 4427556 - Caterpillar

Fuel Filters
A significant number of SIMS entries against fuel filters and water separators, entered with Part Defect Code 57 "Plugged/Restricted", have been identified. The part numbers in question are:
Table 1
Fuel Filters and Water Separators in Question    
326-1644     Water Separator and Fuel Filter As    
1R-0762     Fuel Filter    
1R-0770     Water Separator and Fuel Filter As    
1R-0751     Fuel Filter    
1R-0749     Fuel Filter    
133-5673     Water Separator Element    
326-1641     Water Separator and Fuel Filter As    
1R-0755     Fuel Filter    
326-1643     Water Separator and Fuel Filter As    
1R-0781     Water Separator and Fuel Filter As    
1R-0771     Water Separator and Fuel Filter As    
326-1642     Water Separator and Fuel Filter As    
1R-0769     Water Separator and Fuel Filter As    
343-5527     Bowl    
270-5320     Bowl    
173-7126     Bowl    Claims analysis and parts return investigations, have determined that the fuel filters and water separators were performing as designed. If a fuel filter or water separator is plugged, the source of the material which plugged those components should be identified. Then enter the source part that caused the failure. For example, if the material that plugged the fuel filter or water separator came from the fuel tank, the SIMSi entry should be entered as follows:
Part Number: (Fuel Tank P/N or leave blank)
Part Defect Code 62 "Foreign Debris"
Group Number 1273 (group number for fuel tank) By using these identifiers, claims analysts and parts return investigators will be able to address components upstream of the fuel filters and water separators causing the plug/restriction. Also, if fuel filters are at or near a 250 hr or 500 hrs service interval, Part Defect Code 57 "Plugged/Restricted" should not be used. If a SIMSi entry is submitted for fuel filter maintenance, Part Defect Code 49 should be used.