823460 Mercury SCREW, CONNECTING ROD

Fuel Effects in Cold Weather
The two types of fuel available for your diesel engine are grades No. 1 and No. 2. Though 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.When operating in cold weather, use a fuel with a cloud point below the lowest ambient temperature expected.Fuel Cloud Point
The cloud point is the temperature point at which a wax will begin to form in the fuel and cause fuel filters to plug.No. 2 diesel fuel begins to cloud (or form wax crystals from paraffin content) at 7°C (45°F), unless fuel heating attachments are used.Fuel waxing can plug the fuel filters in cold weather and significantly reduce or stop fuel flow to the engine. The fuel cloud point must be below the temperature of the surrounding air to prevent filter waxing and power loss. Fuel heating attachments are available from your Caterpillar dealer to minimize fuel filter waxing.* No. 1 diesel fuel has a lower cloud point.* No. 1 diesel fuel has a lower pour point.The pour point is the temperature at which diesel fuel will begin to thicken and be more resistant to flow through fuel pumps and lines.Awareness of these fuel values when purchasing your diesel fuel and anticipating the lowest ambient temperature for the area your engine will be operating in, can help minimize potential fuel problems that result from operating in cold weather.Before troubleshooting for low power or poor performance in winter months, check the type of fuel being used.Engines operating in extremely low temperatures may require fuels with viscosities below 1.4 centistokes (cSt). These fuels should not be used in warm weather. The use of these fuels may cause fuel injector seizures. For more information, refer to "Diesel Fuels and Your Engine," form SEBD0717. The average No. 1 diesel fuel has a lower BTU (heat content) rating per unit volume of fuel than the average No. 2 diesel fuel. When using No. 1 diesel fuel, you may notice a decrease in power and an increase in fuel consumption. There should not be any other negative operating effects.If you use starting aids, cetane improvers, engine oil pan heaters, engine coolant heaters, fuel heaters, fuel line insulation and de-icers to provide a means of minimizing starting and fuel problems in cold weather, refer to "Diesel Fuels and Your Engine," form SEBD0717.Fuel Related Components and the Effect of Cold Weather
Fuel Tanks
Fuel tanks should contain some provision for draining water and sediment from the bottom of the tanks.Some fuel tanks use supply pipes that allow water and sediment to settle below the end of the fuel supply pipe. This water and sediment should be drained at each oil change.Some fuel tanks use supply lines that take fuel directly from the bottom of the tank. In these systems, regular maintenance of the fuel filter(s) is important.Fuel Lines
The fuel return line from the engine should return fuel to the same tank from which it was taken. The fuel return line should deposit fuel at a distance of about 10 in. (250 mm) from the supply line. This allows the engine to get warm fuel from the tank. It also allows air to escape from the return fuel without being pulled back into the engine.Avoid sharp angles and use as few fittings and connections as possible. Moisture in the fuel will tend to collect and freeze at low points in the fuel lines. Fuel should be drawn from the tank closest to the engine. Fuel lines should travel the most direct route to the engine compartment.Fuel Heaters
Fuel heaters prevent plugging of the fuel filters in cold weather due to waxing. Non-thermostatically controlled fuel heaters can heat the fuel in excess of 150°F (65°C). High fuel temperatures reduce engine and transfer pump check valve performance and reliability.Select a fuel heater that is mechanically simple, yet adequate for the application. The fuel heater should also prevent overheating of the fuel. Disconnect or deactivate the fuel heater in warm weather. A loss of engine power can occur if the fuel supply temperature exceeds 85°F (30°C).Use of fuel heaters should be limited to cold weather conditions. Fuel overheating can occur as ambient (outside) temperatures increase. Heat exchanger-type fuel heaters should have a bypass provision to prevent overheating of the fuel in warm weather operation. This overheating of the fuel will cause a loss of engine power.The following fuel heaters are recommended for use with this engine.Thermoblend Cat part no. 7C3557Hot Joint Cat part no. 7C3558For further information on fuel heaters, contact your Caterpillar dealer.Filters
The use of a primary fuel filter is recommended. The micron rating and location of a primary fuel filter is important in cold weather operation. The primary fuel filter and its fuel supply line are the most common components affected by cold weather.The micron rating of the primary fuel filter should only be fine (low) enough to protect the fuel transfer pump. A very fine (low micron rating) primary filter, can be more easily plugged by wax in cold weather. A primary filter, with a micron rating as fine as a secondary filter (10-15 microns), can cause waxing problems in cold weather. An 9M2341 Filter element is recommended as a cold weather primary fuel filter.The best location for the primary fuel filter is in the engine compartment, where it will benefit from the radiant heat of the engine. A filter mounted outside the frame rails, or any location exposed to wind, can be a persistent problem in cold weather.Maintain Engine Compartment Temperature
Radiator shutters and on/off fans are excellent devices for maintaining engine compartment temperatures. The radiator shutter thermostat should open the shutters at a temperature that is 10°F (6°C) higher than the opening temperature of the engine thermostat.On/off fan thermostats should open at a temperature that is 5 to 10°F (3 to 6°C) higher than the temperature setting of the shutters. The sequence of these events is