40011 68 Mercury SCREW, (M3.5 x 20) Stainless Steel

The vehicle must be parked on a level surface for this maintenance procedure.
Do not drain the oil when the engine is cold. As the oil cools, suspended waste particles settle on the bottom of the oil pan. The waste particles are not removed with the draining cold oil. Drain the crankcase with the engine stopped. Drain the crankcase while the oil is warm. This draining method will allow the waste particles that are suspended in the oil to be properly drained.Failure to follow this recommended procedure will cause the waste particles to be recirculated through the engine lubrication system with the new oil.Drain the Engine Oil
After the engine has been run at the normal operating temperature, stop the engine. Attach a "DO NOT OPERATE" or a similar warning tag to the ignition key switch before the engine is serviced. Catch the oil in a suitable container. Recycle the used oil, or dispose of the used oil properly.
Remove the oil drain plug in order to allow the oil to drain.
After the oil has drained, the oil drain plug should be cleaned and installed.Tighten the oil drain plug to the following torque: ... 25 5 N m (18 4 lb ft)Replace the Oil Filter
Caterpillar oil filters are built to Caterpillar specifications. Use of an oil filter not recommended by Caterpillar could result in severe engine damage to the engine bearings, crankshaft, etc., as a result of the larger waste particles from unfiltered oil entering the engine lubricating system. Only use oil filters recommended by Caterpillar.
Remove the oil filter with a 1U-8760 Chain Wrench .
Illustration 1 g00588944
Element with debris
Cut the oil filter open with a 175-7546 Oil Filter Cutter. Break apart the pleats and inspect the oil filter for metal debris. An excessive amount of metal debris in the oil filter may indicate early wear or a pending failure.Use a magnet to differentiate between the ferrous metals and the nonferrous metals that are found in the oil filter element. Ferrous metals may indicate wear on the steel and cast iron parts of the engine.Nonferrous metals may indicate wear on the aluminum parts, brass parts or bronze parts of the engine. Parts that may be affected include the following items: main bearings, rod bearings, turbocharger bearings and cylinder heads.Due to normal wear and friction, it is not uncommon to find small amounts of debris in the oil filter. Consult your Caterpillar dealer in order to arrange for a further analysis if an excessive amount of debris is found in the oil filter.
Illustration 2 g00103713
Typical filter mounting base and filter gasket
Clean the sealing surface of the filter mounting base. Ensure that all of the old oil filter gasket is removed.
Apply clean engine oil to the new oil filter gasket.
Do not fill the oil filters with oil before installing them. This oil would not be filtered and could be contaminated. Contaminated oil can cause accelerated wear to engine components.
Install the oil filter. Tighten the oil filter until the oil filter gasket contacts the base. Tighten the oil filter by hand according to the instructions that are shown on the oil filter. Do not overtighten the oil filter.Fill the Engine Crankcase
Remove the oil filler cap. Refer to the Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Lubricant Specifications" topic (Maintenance Section) for more information. Fill the crankcase with the proper amount of oil. Refer to the Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Refill Capacities" topic (Maintenance Section) for more information.
If equipped with an auxiliary oil filter or system, extra oil must be added when filling the crankcase. Follow the OEM or filter manufacturer's recommendations. If the extra oil is not added, the engine may starve for oil.
To help prevent crankshaft or bearing damage, crank engine to fill all filters before starting. Do not crank engine for more than 30 seconds.
Start the engine and run the engine at "LOW IDLE" for two minutes. Perform this procedure in order to ensure that the lubrication system has oil and that the oil filters are filled. Inspect the oil filter for oil leaks.
Stop the engine and allow the oil to drain back to the sump for a minimum of ten minutes.
Remove the oil level gauge in order to check the oil level. Maintain the oil level between the "ADD" and "FULL" marks on the "ENGINE STOPPED" side of the oil level gauge.Oil Change Intervals
There are many circumstances under certain conditions that may allow an adjustment to the normal oil change interval. Many conditions that can affect the selection of the best oil change interval exist. The decision is based on the fundamental requirement that lubrication oil should be in an acceptable condition that provides continuous engine protection. The quality of the oil and amount of the oil that is available is balanced against the oil's ability to absorb by-products that are caused by combustion.Due to the manufacturing tolerances, the engine application, and the maintenance variations, all engines do not consume fuel and oil at the same rate. The amount of fuel that is consumed is in direct relation to the maximum oil change interval that is selected. It is essential to include an S O S oil analysis before an adjustment of the oil change interval is considered. For more information on extending oil change intervals, consult your Caterpillar dealer.If the results from the S O S oil analysis are not available, Table 1 can be used in order to determine the oil change intervals.Table for the Oil Change Intervals
Note: Metric units are listed before English units.