13914 Mercury PROPELLER NUT

Do not fill fuel filters with fuel before installing them. Contaminated fuel will cause accelerated wear to fuel system parts.
Fuel Recommendations
Preferred Fuel Grades
The two types of preferred diesel fuel available for your truck engine are typically grades No.1 (winter) and No.2 (summer). Although No.2 diesel fuel is the most commonly used fuel, No.1 diesel fuel or a blend of No.1 and No.2, is the fuel that is best suited for cold weather operation.There are three major differences between No.1 and No.2 diesel fuel.* No.1 diesel fuel has a lower cloud point. The cloud point is the temperature at which a cloud or haze of wax crystals will begin to form in the fuel and cause fuel filters to plug.* No.1 diesel fuel has a lower pour point. The pour point is the temperature which diesel fuel will begin to thicken and be more resistant to flow through fuel pumps and lines.* No.1 diesel fuel has has a lower kJ (Btu) (heat content) rating per unit volume of fuel than the average No.2 diesel fuel. When using No.1 diesel fuel or modified summer blended fuel, you may notice a drop in power and fuel efficiency, but should not experience any other operating effects.Before troubleshooting for low power or poor performance in winter months, check the type of fuel or fuel blend being used. Be aware of these fuel values when purchasing your diesel fuel and anticipate the average outside (ambient) temperature for the area your engine will be operating. Engines fueled in one climate may not operate satisfactorily if moved to another because of problems that result from cold weather. Use only fuel as recommended in this section. The fuels recommended for use in Caterpillar engines are No.2-D diesel fuel and No.2 fuel oil (summer), although No.1 (winter) grades are acceptable. The following fuel specifications are worldwide fuels which also meet Caterpillar requirements. These fuel characteristics should be considered when procuring fuel for use in Caterpillar diesel truck engines. Caterpillar Diesel Engines are capable of burning a wide range of distillate fuels. The use of clean, stable blends of distillate fuel which meet the following requirements will provide quality engine service life. Permissible Alternate Fuels
Fuel Mixing for Arctic Operation
Refer to the Cold Weather Operation topic in this Manual or the Truck Owner Manual for additional information.During cold weather operation, it may be necessary for you to use No.2 diesel fuel since quantities of No.1 diesel fuel are limited and generally are only available during the winter months and in the colder climates. In this case, summer grade fuel may be blended with No.1 fuel or kerosene in the following proportions. In temperatures down to -54°C (-65°F), use of distillate fuels meeting the following specifications are permitted. These fuels are lighter than No.2 grades, however their cetane number must be 40 minimum. Cetane Number
The minimum cetane number required for average starting conditions for the direct injection engine is 40. A higher cetane value may be required for high altitude operation or cold weather starting.Pour Point
The pour point of the fuel should be at least 6°C (10°F) below the lowest ambient temperature at which the engines must start and operate. The lower pour point of No. 1 or No. 1-D (winter) 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 topic, Cold Weather Operation, for additional information.Sulfur
The percentage of sulfur in the fuel will affect the engine oil recommendations. Fuel sulfur is chemically changed during combustion to form both sulfurous and sulfuric acid. These acids chemically attack metal surfaces and cause corrosive wear.Certain additives used in lubricating oils contain alkaline compounds that are formulated to neutralize these acids. The measure of this reserve alkalinity in a lubricating oil is known as its Total Base Number (TBN). TBN values are essential to neutralize the acids from combustion gases and to minimize corrosive wear.Fuels containing 0.5% or less sulfur may be used with recommended crankcase oil drain intervals using API CF-4 or CE performance oils. With sulfur above the 0.5% level, use API CF-4 or CE performance oils with an ASTM D-2896 Total Base Number (TBN) of 10 times the fuel sulfur for normal oil drain intervals.Caterpillar recommends infrared analysis (in conjunction with wear metal analysis) of used oil in determining the effectiveness of oil TBN and acid neutralization. The Caterpillar S O S program provides this information. Regular oil analysis (S O S) will provide information to monitor oil properties and engine wear metals to maintain successful engine protection and establish oil drain intervals.Periodically request fuel sulfur content information from your fuel supplier. Fuel sulfur content can change with each bulk delivery.Additives
Fuel additives are generally not recommended nor needed for the specified fuels listed. Cetane improvers can be used as necessary for the 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. Other fuel types may be used when economics or fuel availability dictate. Consult Caterpillar or factory representative for more information and advice on any specific fuel.