
60 SEBU8219-01
Operation Section
Cold Weather Operation
Fuel Filters
NOTICE
Do not fill the fuel filters with fuel before installing them.
The fuel would not be filtered and could be contami-
nated. Contami
nated fuel will cause accelerated wear
to fuel system parts.
NOTICE
In order to maximize fuel system life and prevent pre-
mature wear out from abrasive particles in the fuel,
a two micron absolute high efficiency fuel filter is re-
quired for all Caterpillar Hydraulic Electronic Unit In-
jectors. Caterpilla r High Efficiency Fuel Filters meet
these requirements. Consult your Caterpillar dealer
for the proper part numbers.
These engines
areequippedwithaprimary
filter/water separator. The primary filter/water
separatormustusea10micronfiltertoa15micron
filter. The fil
ters are becoming more critical as fuel
injectionpressuresincreaseto209MPa(30000psi)
and higher psi. For more information on priming the
fuel system
, see the Operation and Maintenance
Manual, “Fuel System - Prime” topic (Maintenance
Section).
Fuel Heaters
Note: Always follow the precautions in this
Operation and Maintenance Manual, “Fire
Preventio
n and Explosion Prevention”.
Fuel heaters help to prevent fuel filters from plugging
in cold wea
ther due to waxing. A fuel heater should
be installed in order for the fuel to be heated before
the fuel enters the primary fuel filter.
Select a fuel heater that is mechanically simple, yet
adequate for the application. The fuel heater should
also help
to prevent overheating of the fuel. High fuel
temperatures reduce engine performance and the
availability of engine power. Choose a fuel heater
withalar
ge heating surface. The fuel heater should
be practical in size. Small heaters can be too hot due
to the limited surface area.
Disconnect the fuel heater in warm weather.
Note: Fu
el heaters that are controlled by the water
temperature regulator or self-regulating fuel heaters
should be used with this engine. Fuel heaters that
are not c
ontrolled by the water temperature regulator
can heat the fuel in excess of 65° C (149° F). A
loss of engine power can occur if the fuel supply
temper
ature exceeds 37° C (100° F).
Note: Heat exch
anger type fuel heaters should have
a bypass provision in order to prevent overheating of
the fuel in warm weather operation.
For further information on fuel heaters, consult your
Caterpillar dealer.