805448A 1 Mercruiser GEAR SET, (15/19) (1.50:1 Ratio)

Fill the fuel tank at the end of each day of operation to drive out moist air and prevent condensation. Maintain a fairly constant level in the day tank (near the top) to avoid drawing moisture into the tank as the level decreases.Do not fill the tank to the top. Fuel expands as it warms, and may overflow.Do not fill fuel filters with fuel before installing them. Contaminated fuel causes accelerated wear to fuel system parts.
Use fuel only as recommended in this section. Fuel grades recommended for use in Caterpillar diesel engines are: No.2-D diesel fuel with low sulfur (0.05 percent maximum), or regular sulfur (0.5 percent maximum). No. 1 grades are acceptable.The following chart lists worldwide fuel standards which meet Caterpillar requirements. Aviation kerosene-type fuels meeting acceptable limits may also be used as an engine fuel. The following chart lists some of the acceptable kerosene-type fuels. Fuel viscosity is a major concern with aviation fuels. A minimum viscosity of 1.4 cSt at 38°C (100°F) is required to properly lubricate Caterpillar fuel system components. These kerosene-type fuels have a lower viscosity for low temperature operation.The kerosene-type fuels have less energy per unit volume than diesel fuels, producing less peak power. More kerosene-type fuel is needed than diesel fuel to do the same amount of work.Caterpillar Diesel Engines are capable of burning a wide range of distillate fuels. Burning clean, stable blends of distillate fuel meeting the following requirements will provide quality engine service life. When economics or fuel availability dictate, other fuel types may be burned in the engine. Consult your Caterpillar dealer for more information and advice on any specific fuel.Cetane Number
Under average starting conditions, direct injection engines require a minimum cetane number of 40. A higher cetane value may be required for high altitude or cold weather operation.Filterability
Clean fuels should have no more than 0.1 percent of sediment and water. Fuel stored for extended periods of time may oxidize and form solids, causing filtering problems.Pour Point
Fuel pour point should be at least 6°C (10°F) below the lowest ambient temperature at which the engines must start and operate. Lower pour points of No. 1 or No. 1-D fuel may be necessary in extremely cold weather.Cloud Point
The cloud point should be below the lowest ambient temperature at which the engines must start and operate, to prevent the fuel filter elements from plugging with wax crystals. Refer to Fuel Problems in Cold Weather Operation for additional information.Viscosity
Fluid viscosity is a measure of resistance to flow. Fuel viscosity is important because it effects lubrication of fuel system components, and fuel atomization. The provided viscosity limits address both of those effects.Additives
Fuel additives are generally not recommended or needed for the specified fuels listed. Cetane improvers can be used as necessary for direct injection engine requirements. Biocides may be needed to eliminate microorganism growth in storage tanks. In cold conditions, treatment for entrained water may also be necessary.Consult your fuel supplier about the use of additives to prevent incompatibility among additives already in the fuel and the additives to be used.Fuel Sulfur
The percentage of sulfur in fuel affects engine oil recommendations. Fuel sulfur can change chemically during combustion, forming both sulfurous and sulfuric acids. The acids attack metal surfaces and cause corrosive wear. Sulfur oxides formed during combustion also produce particulate exhaust emissions.Some lubricating oil additives contain alkaline compounds to neutralize acids in combustion gases and minimize corrosive wear. Reserve alkalinity in lubricating oil is measured and defined with a Total Base Number (TBN).Periodically request fuel sulfur content information from your fuel supplier. Fuel sulfur content can change with each bulk delivery.More information concerning fuel sulfur and lubrication can be found in the Lubricant Specifications section of this manual.Refer to Diesel Fuels and Your Engine, SEBD0717, or contact your Caterpillar dealer for more information on fuel selection and fuel properties.