9203 Mercury MAIN JET (#120)

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.
This Program must be administered as soon as possible. When reporting the repair, use "PI3940" as the Part Number, "7751" as the Group Number, "56" as the Warranty Claim Description Code and "T" as the SIMS Description Code. Exception: If the repair is done after failure, use "PI3940" as the Part Number, "7751" as the Group Number, "96" as the Warranty Claim Description Code, and "Z" as the SIMS Description Code.
Although this Program is to be administered as described above on the Affected Product, parts should be removed from Parts Stock as soon as possible.
This Revised Service Letter replaces the October 12, 1996 Service Letter. Changes have been made to the Parts Needed and Service Claim Allowances.
Completion Date
April 30, 1997Termination Date
October 31, 1997Problem
The crankshaft needs to be inspected on certain 3176 Remanufactured Truck Engines. The remanufactured 3176 truck engine may contain a remanufactured crankshaft. Some remanufactured crankshafts were improperly ground, leaving the thrust bearing face too rough. This rough surface finish causes accelerated thrust bearing wear resulting in excessive crankshaft endplay. This wear may progress and ultimately damage the cylinder block.
Affected Product
Model & Identification Number
3176 (5XN76-299)
Parts Needed
These parts will only be needed if it is determined that the remanufactured crankshaft was improperly ground.
1 - 3E3330 Gasket Kit 6 - 4P8167 Bearing - Rod 1 - 0R2827 Crankshaft 1 - 1R0716 Filter Assembly - 0il* 3 -Bearing - Main 1 - 7X7973 Gasket Kit 4 - 9Y4033 Bearing - Main 2 - 1105138 Plate - Thrust30 -Oil - Quarts*Replace main bearings. Size (ie. part number) will depend upon whether the block main bearing bores are standard or have been line bored 0.010 inch over. There is a tag on the side of the block containing this information. Another factor is the size of the replacement crankshaft. An 0R2827 Crankshaft is 0.020 undersize. If an Upgrade-To-New crankshaft is supplied in place of an 0R2827 Crankshaft, you will need standard main bearings.Action Required
Affected Product
Inspect each remanufactured 3176 Truck Engine by measuring the crankshaft endplay.The engine should have been operated a minimum of 3000 miles prior to being inspected.The endplay should be 0.1 to 0.5 mm (0.004 to 0.020 in).If the endplay exceeds 0.5 mm (0.020 in), replace the crankshaft along with all rod and main bearings.The complete procedure for replacing the crankshaft is outlined in the disassembly and assembly portion of the service manual.
Parts Stock
Remove all 0R2827 Crankshafts from Parts Stock with date codes prior to 8/1/96.
The part number tag is attached to the outside of the box. The date code is printed just below the part name and above the part number in the following format - DDMMYYXXX. (Example: A box marked with a date code 010896068 would indicate a part remanufactured on August 1, 1996 at plant number 068.)
Owner Notification
U.S. and Canadian owners will receive the attached Owner Notification.
Service Claim Allowances
Affected Product
This is a 1-hour job for the inspection. See the following labor breakdown for the hours needed to replace the crankshaft.
Labor Breakdown
Parts Stock
Submit one claim for all 0R2827 Crankshafts removed from Parts Stock.
Parts Disposition
Return all 0R2827 Crankshafts and a copy of the claim to address below:
Caterpillar Inc.
Attention: Bill Harland - Warranty Review
501 Cardinal Drive
Corinth MS 38834
Handle all other parts in accordance with your Warranty Bulletin on warranty parts handling.
MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO COMPLETE THIS PROGRAM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Attach.(1-Owner Notification)Copy Of Owner Notification For U.S. And Canadian Owners