WASHER 2831381 - Caterpillar

Viscosity
The viscosity of the fuel is significant because the fuel serves as a lubricant for fuel system components. Fuels need to have sufficient viscosity. The fuel must lubricate the fuel system in both extremely cold and in extremely hot temperatures.Fuels of improper viscosity result in poor atomization and spray pattern when injected, which cause poor combustion and loss of performance. If the kinematic viscosity of the fuel is lower than 1.4 cSt as supplied to the fuel injection pump or to the unit injectors, excessive scuffing and seizure can occur. If the fuel viscosity is too high, the fuel may cause high fuel pump resistance, negatively impact the injector spray pattern, and may cause filter damage.For distillate fuel configured engines, Caterpillar recommends a fuel viscosity as delivered to rotary fuel injection pumps of between 1.4 cSt and 4.5 cSt, and between 1.4 cSt and 20 cSt for all other fuel injection pumps.If a fuel with a low viscosity is used, cooling of the fuel may be required to maintain 1.4 cSt or greater viscosity at the fuel injection pump. Fuels with a high viscosity might require heaters to lower the viscosity to either 4.5 cSt or less for rotary fuel injection pumps or 20 cSt or less for all other fuel injection pumps.Cetane Number
The cetane number of the fuel effects the ability of the engine to start. Also, the cetane number effects the interval of time before the engine runs smoothly. Fuels of high cetane rating are easier to ignite. The starting temperature can be improved approximately 7 to 8°C (12 to 15°F) for every increase of ten in the cetane number. After the engine reaches the normal operating temperature, a change in the cetane from 40 to 50 will have a minimal effect on engine performance.Most fuels that have a cetane number above 40 will permit acceptable engine starts in warmer outside temperatures. The engine will start satisfactorily with this fuel when the engine is kept warm. The engine can be kept warm by using either a heated enclosure or a properly sized coolant heater.During average starting conditions, direct injection diesel engines require a minimum cetane number of 40. A higher cetane value may be required for operation in high altitudes or for cold-weather operation. The minimum fuel cetane number that is required for the precombustion chamber (PC) diesel engine is 35.Modifying the Cetane Number
The cetane number of a fuel can be changed if the fuel is mixed with a fuel that has a different cetane number. Generally, the cetane number of the mixture will be in direct relation to the ratio of the fuels that were mixed. Your fuel supplier can provide the information about the cetane number of a particular fuel.Additives can also be used to improve the cetane number of a fuel. Additives are evaluated through testing in special test engines. However, the characteristics of fuels with natural cetane number can be different than those characteristics of a fuel addetized to reach the same