SHEET 4391723 - Caterpillar

Table 1
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
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)
(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.
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 1 January 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 commercial diesel engines when low emissions are required or when the source of your fuel supply provides this type of fuel. Caterpillar has not seen any detrimental effects with 0.05 percent sulfur fuel in Caterpillar diesel engines.
Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO), Residual fuel,