Caterpillar — Engine Oil and Filter - Change
Maintenance · Engine lubrication system
From a Caterpillar owner's manual covering: C3.3, C3.3 Rental Generator Set, C4.4, C4.4 Rental Generator Set, D4D1-Up, GLE1-Up, N3X1-UP, N4R1-Up, N4X1-Up, X3B1-UP, XYC1-Up, XYD1-Up. Check it applies to your exact model before use.
Applies to: Caterpillar C3.3, Caterpillar C4.4
Before you start
- Hot oil and hot components can cause personal injury
- Do not drain the oil when the engine is cold
- Do not fill the oil filters with oil before installing them
Parts for this job
- 209-0036 Oil filter — Caterpillar C3.3 eBay $19.48
- 220-1523 Oil filter — Caterpillar C4.4 Amazon Amazon eBay $21.56 eBay $21.56 NAPA $9.09 KuduParts $18.00 FridayParts $19.95
Part numbers from the service-parts lists for Caterpillar C3.3, Caterpillar C4.4. Verify against your serial number before ordering; some links are affiliate links.
Procedure
- Drain the crankcase with the engine stopped and the oil warm.
- Use drain valve or remove oil drain plug (1). For shallow sump remove both bottom plugs.
- Clean and install oil drain plugs. Renew the O ring seal on the drain plug if necessary.
- Remove oil filter with 1U-8760 Chain Wrench.
- Cut the oil filter open with 175-7546 Oil Filter Cutter Gp. Inspect for metal debris.
- Clean the sealing surface of the oil filter head (2).
- Apply clean engine oil to the new oil filter seal (3). Install the oil filter.
- Tighten oil filter by hand per instructions; do not overtighten.
- Element filter: remove drain plug (1), bowl (3); install new O ring (4) and element (5).
- Install filter bowl into head (6). Tighten bowl to 25 N·m (18 lb ft).
- Install new seal on drain plug. Tighten drain plug to 12 N·m (8 lb ft).
- Fill the crankcase with the correct amount of oil.
- Crank engine with fuel OFF to fill oil filters (do not crank more than 30 seconds).
- Start engine and run at LOW IDLE for two minutes. Inspect for oil leaks.
- Stop engine. Allow oil to drain back to sump for a minimum of ten minutes. Check level.
Tools required
Tool links are Amazon searches (affiliate links); manufacturer special tools may only be available from a dealer.
Specs & values
- Filter bowl torque 25 N·m (18 lb ft)
- Drain plug torque 12 N·m (8 lb ft)
- Do not crank the engine for more than 30 seconds
Full service-parts list: Caterpillar C3.3 →, Caterpillar C4.4 →
Source: Caterpillar owner's manual. Steps and values are as documented; always cross-check against the official manual and any later revisions for your exact serial number before servicing.