SPACER-SPECIAL 3534983 - Caterpillar

24Nov2015
U-629
A-454
D-549
O-543
Parts stock action only
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR INSPECTING AND POSSIBLY REMOVING CERTAIN 377-6969 ENGINE OIL FILTERS FROM DEALER PARTS STOCK
7750 PI70598
Caterpillar’s obligations under this Service Letter are subject to, and shall not apply in contravention of, the laws, rules, regulations, directives, ordinances, orders, or statutes of the United States, or of any other applicable jurisdiction, without recourse or liability with respect to Caterpillar.
When submitting claim for Parts Stock Action, Use the appropriate 99Z as the s/n, the appropriate Service Letter Program Number as the Part number in the Part Causing Failure field, "7751" as the Group Number, "56" as the Description Code.
The information supplied in this service letter may not be valid after the termination date of this program.Do not perform the work outlined in this Service Letter after the termination date without first contacting your Caterpillar product analyst.
TERMINATION DATE
29Feb2016
PROBLEM
The manufacturing process of certain 377-6969 Engine Oil Filters may have allowed residual dried paint (Image 1) to be transferred to the threads of the filter. If the dried paint possibly enters the engine oil system, possible damage may occur to the bearings which may affect the engine.
ACTION REQUIRED
Inspect the date code on all 377-6969 Engine Oil Filters (Lube Filters) in dealer parts stock.
Possibly inspect the threads and center tube of the filter on certain 377-6969 Engine Oil Filters (Lube Filters) in dealer parts stock.
All filters with a date code of MEUNUA (Oct, 23 2015) (See Image 2) and later have been manufactured with the new process to eliminate the presence of the residual dried paint in the threads. These filters are okay to use without inspecting the threads or center tube of the filter.
All filters with a date code of MMUNUA (Oct-22-2015) (See Image 2) or earlier must be inspected. To inspect these filters do a thorough check of the filter threads and center tube (See Image 3) for debris in the threads or center tube of the filter.
If there is debris in the threads or center tube of the filter, then remove the filter from dealer parts stock.
If there is no debris in the threads or center tube of the filter, then mark the package to indicate that the filter has been inspected according to this program and return the filter to dealer parts stock.
Refer to Image 4 for an explanation of the date code.
Image1
Image2
Image3
Image4
SERVICE CLAIM ALLOWANCES
Submit one claim for all parts removed from dealer parts stock.
PARTS DISPOSITION
Handle the parts in accordance with your Warranty Bulletin on warranty parts handling.